Iran is a country with a rich history that was not always an isolated or closed world. It actively interacted with neighboring countries and it was only in the 20th century, especially before the revolution of 1979, that Iran began to radically change its internal structure and foreign policy, which laid the foundation for the events that changed it forever.
What Iran was like before the Islamic Revolution and what caused it, read in our article.
Iran before the Islamic Revolution of 1979
Iran before the 1979 revolution was very different in structure and mood. The country was led by Shah Mohammad Reza Pahlavi, who came to power after his father in 1941.
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He had close ties with the West, especially the United States, which provided him with powerful political, military and economic support. American specialists, technology and weapons actively entered Iran. The Shah carried out a large-scale modernization program, built roads, factories, infrastructure, tried to make the country more “Western” in lifestyle and economy.
The Shah relied on the secular elite and modernized the country, which caused a sharp break with traditional society and tension with religious circles, especially the Shiite clergy.
The economy was enriched by oil revenues, but many people were not doing well – inequality was growing. In the cities, especially among young people, Western habits, clothing and music appeared, which distinguished them from the conservative traditions of the country.
Islamic Revolution in Iran: When it Began
The Islamic Revolution in Iran began in January 1978 with mass protests against Shah Mohammad Reza Pahlavi. The protests gradually gained momentum, involving more and more social groups.
The revolution culminated in the overthrow of the monarchy on February 11, 1979, when the Shah fled the country and Islamic forces led by Ayatollah Ruhollah Khomeini took power.
What Caused the Revolution in Iran
Shah Pahlavi worked closely with the West and then began to improve relations with the USSR, focusing on the gas sector. He actively strengthened the army and initiated large-scale reforms.
However, the country's modernization provoked outrage both among the left (due to its pro-Western orientation and economic inequality) and among religious leaders who criticized the Shah.
In response to growing discontent, the authorities banned other parties and stepped up repression. Since the 1960s, mass protests have been suppressed, and a political police force has been created to control them.
The Shah's main critic was the Islamic theologian Ruhollah Khomeini, who was expelled from Iran. He settled in France, where he wrote works on how Iran should be rebuilt on religious principles.
After the brutal shooting of peaceful protesters in 1978, popular anger reached its peak. People were tired of almost four decades of authoritarian “stability.”
In January 1979, a massive strike engulfed the country. The Shah and his wife were forced to flee to Egypt. The interim government asked Khomeini to return and help write a new constitution.
On February 1, 1979, Khomeini returned to Iran. He was greeted as a savior, because society was filled with hope. It seemed that now the government would act according to the moral precepts of Islam, wealth would be divided among everyone, repression would disappear, and real democracy would replace dictatorship.
However, Khomeini quickly abandoned the idea of cooperation with the government and called for the complete destruction of the old regime. The army and police gradually went over to the side of the revolutionaries.
Islamic Revolution in Iran: How Long Did It Last?
The chronology of events in Iran from January 1978 to February 1979 led to the removal from power of Shah Mohammad Reza Pahlavi, the fall of the monarchical regime and the establishment of a new government led by Ayatollah Khomeini.
The beginning of the revolution is usually considered to be January 8, 1978, when the first large-scale anti-government demonstration in the city of Qom was brutally suppressed, causing a wave of indignation among the population.
What has changed in Iran since the revolution:
- Since then, Iran has undergone dramatic changes in its political, social and cultural life. After the overthrow of the monarchy, an Islamic theocracy was established in the country – power passed to the religious leadership, and the new system of government was built on the principles of Shiite Islam.
- The political system has become theocratic, with supreme power vested in the Supreme Leader (Ayatollah), who controls the judiciary, executive, and even part of the legislative branch.
- Freedom of speech and opposition are under strict control. Dissent, criticism of the Islamic system or the clergy are persecuted, the media are censored, activists are persecuted.
- Women's rights are significantly limited: mandatory wearing of the hijab, restrictions on career, education and personal life. Although women continue to participate actively in society, their freedom is significantly reduced compared to the Pahlavi era. Cultural life has been Islamized – Western music, fashion, films, entertainment have been or are banned.
