Iranian or Islamic Revolution (January 1979)

Introduction

The Iranian Revolution or Islamic Revolution of 1979 is known as the process of mobilizations that took place in Iran with the aim of overthrowing the Pahlavi dynasty in the person of Shah Mohammad Reza Pahlavi. The result was the establishment of the current Islamic Republic of Iran under a theocratic Constitution and the rise of Ayatollah Khomeini as 'Supreme Leader' of the ancient Persian nation.

The Islamic Revolution, which in 1979 brought about the end of the Shah's regime and established a new regime in Iran, was an unprecedented and surprising event in the history of the 20th century. First of all, it was truly a revolution, in the sense of a popular subversive movement that was able to overthrow an established regime, unlike so many military coups that, in underdeveloped or semi-developed nations, had a similar outcome but without the participation of the masses or such radical consequences. On the other hand, it was the first occasion in which the political use of Islam played an absolutely primordial and even exclusive role, surpassing by far the nationalism of countries that had overcome colonialism. 

 

Mohhamad Reza Pahlaví, last sah of Persia 

Background

The territory of Iran, traditionally known as Persia, had been ruled under different civilizations since almost time immemorial. Chronicles of the origins of the ancient kingdom of Elam, located in southwestern Iran, date back as far as 2700 B.C., although these records are steeped in legend. From the establishment of the first empire, known as Media, around 625 BC to the Pahlavi dynasty in the 20th century, we can trace a journey of more than 2,600 years of uninterrupted monarchies. During this long period, an event of vital importance was the arrival of the Islamic religion in this territory in the middle of the 7th century A.D. Much later, with the arrival of the Safavid dynasty in 1501, the Sunni variant of this confession was replaced by the Shiite Duodeciman, which became the official religion of the kingdom. During World War I, Persia was occupied by the Allied forces because of its highly strategic oil reserves. After the war, although the United Kingdom recognized Persia's independence, it continued to exploit its resources through the Anglo-Persian Oil Company.

British interference in Iranian affairs provoked a sense of frustration that led to a coup d'état in 1921. Shortly thereafter, the Pahlavi dynasty was inaugurated after the last Shah Ahmad Shah of the Qayar dynasty, who had ruled the country since 1785, was officially deposed. Brigadier Reza Shah Pahlavi became the new Shah, who carried out an intense modernization program inspired by Attaturk's Turkey. Among other measures, he opened the first European-style university and promoted a limited emancipation of women. This would clash with the mentality of certain Islamic clerics, who saw these reforms as a danger to religious integrity. In the 1930s, Reza Shah's interest in the Third Reich increased with the hiring of German technicians for the laying of the railroad. This provoked some misgivings on the part of the United Kingdom, which saw its interests in the region in danger. In 1935, Reza Shah even changed the old name of the country (Persia) to Iran (country of the Aryans) in an unprecedented gesture of friendship towards Adolf Hitler.

At the beginning of World War II, Iran declared itself neutral although it was more than suspected of secretly collaborating with the Axis Powers. The strategic 'Persian Corridor' constituted one of the main Soviet supply routes for supplies coming from the United States. For this reason, the Allies decided to invade Iran on August 25, 1941. Due to the mistrust aroused by the occupying powers, Reza Shah was forced to abdicate on September 16 to his 22-year-old first-born son Mohammad Reza Pahlavi. The new Shah did not hesitate to collaborate actively with the Allies to secure his position. However, the Anglo-Soviet occupation of Iran was not without controversy as one of its side effects was an intense famine that caused millions of deaths.

One of the leaders most critical of the Shah's actions was Ayatollah Ruhollah Khomeini. On June 3, 1963, this religious leader made a speech against the figure of the monarch, later he was arrested and exiled.

                                                

Ayatola Khomeini (or Jomeiní)

Event prior to revolutions against them

The rise in the prices of petroleum products meant a fivefold increase in Iran's GDP in 1972-1977 and allowed the Shah, in full optimism, to embark on a process of unbridled but also megalomaniacal modernization, as he intended to turn Iran into the fifth world power in only a quarter of a century. This explains why Iran ordered nuclear power plants and lived increasingly on imports of foreign products. In the meantime, society was undergoing a profound upheaval; the wealth derived from oil was poorly distributed and, above all, proved to be ephemeral, since inflation, caused by the gigantic injection of capital, eventually swallowed it up. Moreover, the introduction of Western fashions and lifestyles brought about a major change in Iranian society which, however, was not complete. Under these conditions, the shah ended up losing any legitimacy. 

In 1967, the Shah crowned himself Emperor of Iran in an act of great pomposity and megalomania. As if that were not enough, in October 1971, lavish ceremonies were held in the ruins of the city of Persepolis (ancient capital of the Achaemenid Empire) to commemorate the 2,500 years of the Persian Empire. The aim of the Shah was to reinforce his peculiar idea of monarchy by linking it to the ancient dynasties. This event was a total waste of money accompanied by the decision to broadcast this ceremony via satellite television, which only showed how far away he was from his people, suffering from severe economic difficulties. The exaggerated costs were estimated at around 300 million US dollars and contributed to the deterioration of the image of the Persian king. In addition, during the festivities, there was a strong repression against demonstrators critical of the Shah.

Although the White Revolution contributed to the economic and technological progress of the country, it had not been able to solve the enormous social gaps, thus creating an atmosphere of hostility between the Sah and the more traditional sectors. The imposition of a system imported from the West clashed with the cultural traditions of the Iranian people. As a result of these setbacks, the Sah ended up being identified with a system that only benefited a privileged few. In the 1970s, the monarch's euphoria over high oil revenues unleashed a buying spree of foreign investment and technology in order to put the Iranian population on an economic par with the German or British. However, this profligate policy proved to be disastrous, as Iran lacked the necessary infrastructure and means to carry out this transformation in such a short period of time.

Triumph of the revolution

Social discontent was on the rise. Attempts to reform the sah had not borne the desired fruit. The economic crisis, galloping inflation and the increasing repression of the SAVAK only added to the already deep resentment. By 1977, the Iranian population's weariness with their corrupt monarch was more than evident. From exile, Ayatollah Khomeini had been recording cassettes with fiery proclamations in order to encourage the population to revolt against the Shah. On the other hand, at the end of 1977 Khomeini's eldest son died in strange circumstances (the SAVAK was suspected of his death). In addition, a newspaper insulted the clerics and Khomeini himself, a fact that increased even more the discontent of this religious group. The following year, mass protests against the Shah began to spread throughout the country's main cities. In an attempt to protect his government, the Shah decreed martial law.

On September 8, 1978, the so-called 'Black Friday' took place, in which the Iranian army fired on demonstrators in Yalé Square (Tehran), causing between 80 and several hundred deaths (other sources speak of thousands). This tragic event was followed by a massive general strike. The figure of the Shah was left without internal or external support, while the popularity of Khomeini, exiled since 1964, increased.  In mid-January 1979 a process towards a constitutional monarchy seemed to have begun, when the short time available suggested that it could be derailed. It soon proved to be the case: the massive public demonstrations made this clear. In the end, the Shah left Iran, entrusting the government to a theoretically Westernist and social democratic leader, Chapur Bakhtiar, whose power was destroyed in barely ten days; at the time, however, the Shah's intentions seemed sincere, since he even left the country. After 14 years of exile, Jomeini returned to a standing ovation of 1 million people. 

Image of Ayátola Jomeiní in a protest 

On February 11, the provisional government, which had been left in the hands of Shapur Bajtiar, collapsed. On the same day, Joemini appointed his interim prime minister Medhi Bazargan. The Islamic Revolution had triumphed. For Ayatollah Ruhollah Khomeini, there was no room for an Iran that was not purely Islamic and he would devote the rest of his life to it. Between March 30 and 31, a referendum was held to decide on the establishment of a new state: the Islamic Republic of Iran. Despite a boycott by some political groups, 98% of the population voted in favor. After this resounding victory, a new constitution was drafted (the previous one was from 1906) which was approved by another referendum held on December 2 and 3, 1979. This constitution is considered a hybrid between theocratic and democratic elements, because although it specified that sovereignty corresponded to God, popular elections were also to be called for the election of the parliament and the president. All rights and freedoms were ultimately subject to the Council of Guardians and the figure of the Supreme Leader (head of state and highest religious figure) held by Jomeiní.

Consequences

With the exile of the monarch and the return of Khomeini, euphoric Iranians danced in the streets as they evaded the soldiers; some pro-government snipers remained stationed and fired from rooftops. Families joined the mass protests, while vigilantes looted liquor stores and people kissed the foreheads of the clerics who led the revolution. However, such profound and swift change can cause strong and lasting wounds. There were floggings, hangings, amputations and mass imprisonments. Thousands died and hundreds of thousands fled the country; some fled for their lives and never returned. 

 

Mohamed Reza Pahlavi's government collapsed on February 11, 1979, when the sah had already been exiled due to the unrest.

Hostage-taking at the U.S. Embassy in Tehran, November 1979.

After those first bloody years, a very revolutionary regime was established: an Islamic republic, a theocracy founded on the ideology put forward to a large extent by Khomeini.

New rules were put in place that prohibited many issues that would lead to a possible perdition of the people that would prevent their ascent to a divine life after death: strict media controls were established, thus isolating Iranians from many Western influences; an absolute segregation of the sexes in public places; mandatory veiling of women; bans on alcohol and showing musical instruments on television; there were even rules prohibiting women from riding bicycles. It was a virtually endless list of prohibitions, which the moral police and the Basij paramilitary force enforced fervently and sometimes brutally.

                              Before new rules                                           After the new ones 

I hope you like this topic, if you have more questions about this topic, i attached a video that talks a bit of it, but you can also leave your questions below in the comments.

Of the revolutions mentioned above, which was the one that interested you the most?