Introduction to Iran / Introduction to Iran / Evolution of the Iranian Evolution of the Iranian

StateState

Country Bio: IranCountry Bio: Iran Population: Population:

– 66.3 million 66.3 million Territory:Territory:

– 636,296 sq. miles636,296 sq. miles Year of IndependenceYear of Independence: :

– 550 B.C.550 B.C. Year of Current Year of Current

ConstitutionConstitution: : – 1979, amended in 19891979, amended in 1989

Head of State:Head of State: – Ali KhameneiAli Khamenei

Head of Government:Head of Government: – Mahmoud AhmadinejadMahmoud Ahmadinejad

Language:Language: – Persian, regional languagesPersian, regional languages

Religion:Religion:– Twelver Shiite Muslim 90%, Twelver Shiite Muslim 90%,

Sunni Muslim 10%, non-Sunni Muslim 10%, non-Muslims less than 1%Muslims less than 1%

Historical Turning PointsHistorical Turning Points 559 BCE --- Empire of Cyrus the Great559 BCE --- Empire of Cyrus the Great 332 BCE --- Conquest by Alexander the 332 BCE --- Conquest by Alexander the

Great Great and the Greeks and the Greeks 250 BCE --- Parthian Dynasty250 BCE --- Parthian Dynasty 226 CE --- Sassanian Dynasty226 CE --- Sassanian Dynasty 638 --- Arab/Islamic Conquest638 --- Arab/Islamic Conquest 1219 --- Mongol Invasion1219 --- Mongol Invasion 1501 --- Safavid Dynasty establishes 1501 --- Safavid Dynasty establishes

Shiism Shiism as state religion as state religion 1796 --- Qajar Dynasty1796 --- Qajar Dynasty

Political Turning Points IPolitical Turning Points I

1905 --- Constitutional Revolution1905 --- Constitutional Revolution 1908 --- Oil discovered1908 --- Oil discovered 1925 --- Reza Khan overthrows Qajar Dynasty1925 --- Reza Khan overthrows Qajar Dynasty 1941 --- Muhammad Reza Shah Pahlavi 1941 --- Muhammad Reza Shah Pahlavi

becomes shahbecomes shah 1950’s --- Mossadeq nationalizes oil industry; 1950’s --- Mossadeq nationalizes oil industry;

US coup restores shahUS coup restores shah 1960s-70s – White Revolution/Khomeini in 1960s-70s – White Revolution/Khomeini in

exileexile 1979 --- Islamic Revolution1979 --- Islamic Revolution

Political Turning Points IIPolitical Turning Points II 1980-1988 --- War with Iraq1980-1988 --- War with Iraq 1989 --- Khomeini dies; Khamenei succeeds 1989 --- Khomeini dies; Khamenei succeeds

him as Supreme Leader after a power him as Supreme Leader after a power struggle in the Assembly of Religious expertsstruggle in the Assembly of Religious experts

1997 --- Reformist Khatami elected president1997 --- Reformist Khatami elected president 2000 --- Reformist candidates win control of 2000 --- Reformist candidates win control of

the Majlisthe Majlis 2004 --- Conservatives regain control of 2004 --- Conservatives regain control of

MajlisMajlis 2005 --- Conservative Ahmadinejad elected 2005 --- Conservative Ahmadinejad elected

presidentpresident

Achemenian Empire (Persia)Achemenian Empire (Persia)

Founded by Cyrus (6Founded by Cyrus (6thth century BCE) century BCE) Largest empire in the world at that timeLargest empire in the world at that time Survived for 200 yearsSurvived for 200 years Centralized military leadershipCentralized military leadership Major rival was the GreeksMajor rival was the Greeks Both Greeks & Persians ultimately Both Greeks & Persians ultimately

conquered by Alexander the Greatconquered by Alexander the Great Alexander left Persian political structure Alexander left Persian political structure

relatively intactrelatively intact

King Darius - ZoroastrianismKing Darius - Zoroastrianism

Iranian sovereigns were hereditary Iranian sovereigns were hereditary military leadersmilitary leaders

King’s authority supported by strong King’s authority supported by strong military as well as state-sponsored military as well as state-sponsored religion: religion: ZoroastrianismZoroastrianism

Zoroastrianism did not survive as Zoroastrianism did not survive as major religion but continued to be major religion but continued to be practiced regularly until 7practiced regularly until 7thth century century CE.CE.

Shi’ismShi’ism

Between 7Between 7thth & 16 & 16thth centuries religion centuries religion held Iran togetherheld Iran together

Numerous invasions by Arabs Numerous invasions by Arabs introduced Islam to the regionintroduced Islam to the region

Even when Iranian caliphate was Even when Iranian caliphate was defeated by Mongols in 13defeated by Mongols in 13thth century century the Mongolians converted to Islamthe Mongolians converted to Islam

Shi’ism established as state religion Shi’ism established as state religion in 16in 16thth century century

Shi’ism IIShi’ism II Shi’ites – after Muhammad’s death they felt that Shi’ites – after Muhammad’s death they felt that

leadership of the Muslims should be hereditary leadership of the Muslims should be hereditary and pass to Muhammad’s son-in-law, Ali.and pass to Muhammad’s son-in-law, Ali.

Sunnis favored Sunnis favored choosingchoosing a caliph from the a caliph from the accepted Sunni leadership.accepted Sunni leadership.

When Ali was killed the Shi’ite opinion became a When Ali was killed the Shi’ite opinion became a minority one, but they kept their separate minority one, but they kept their separate identity.identity.

Shi’ites believe the true heirs of Islam are the Shi’ites believe the true heirs of Islam are the descendants of Ali.descendants of Ali.

The heirs (Imams) continued until the 9The heirs (Imams) continued until the 9thth century, century, when the 12when the 12thth descendant disappeared as a child, descendant disappeared as a child, to become known as the “to become known as the “Hidden Imam”Hidden Imam”

Twelver Shi’ismTwelver Shi’ism ““Hidden Imams”Hidden Imams” 1212thth Imam disappeared as a child in 874 CE, did not Imam disappeared as a child in 874 CE, did not

die however, will come forward and show himself to die however, will come forward and show himself to establish just rule at the end of times, when injustice establish just rule at the end of times, when injustice and corruption reign supreme (Messiah-like figure)and corruption reign supreme (Messiah-like figure)

Ulema (Muslim scholars) were willing to give the right Ulema (Muslim scholars) were willing to give the right to rule to the shahs as long as they ruled justlyto rule to the shahs as long as they ruled justly

By end of the 17By end of the 17thth century for a shah’s rule to be century for a shah’s rule to be legitimate he had to have the ulema’s endorsementlegitimate he had to have the ulema’s endorsement

Ulema ultimately established themselves as an Ulema ultimately established themselves as an institution independent of the state, tithes were often institution independent of the state, tithes were often paid to the ulema directly giving them both political paid to the ulema directly giving them both political and economic influenceand economic influence

The center of Twelver Shi’ism is the city of Najaf, in The center of Twelver Shi’ism is the city of Najaf, in IraqIraq

Safavid Empire (1501-1722)Safavid Empire (1501-1722)

Established Shi’ite identity in IranEstablished Shi’ite identity in Iran By mid-17By mid-17thth century converted 90% of century converted 90% of

population to Shi’ismpopulation to Shi’ism Tolerated “People of the Book” – Tolerated “People of the Book” –

monotheistic religions based on holy books monotheistic religions based on holy books similar to the Qur’ansimilar to the Qur’an

Relied on local rulers to maintain order and Relied on local rulers to maintain order and collect taxescollect taxes

Claimed absolute power but lacked a Claimed absolute power but lacked a central statecentral state

Monarchy became separated from society Monarchy became separated from society and lost power by 1722and lost power by 1722

Qajars (1794-1925)Qajars (1794-1925) Turkish people that reconquered Iran at end of 18Turkish people that reconquered Iran at end of 18thth

centurycentury Moved capital to TehranMoved capital to Tehran Could not claim to be descendents of Twelve ImamsCould not claim to be descendents of Twelve Imams Shi’ite clerical leaders could claim more power as Shi’ite clerical leaders could claim more power as

interpreters of Islam, separation between interpreters of Islam, separation between government and religion widenedgovernment and religion widened

Suffered land loss to Suffered land loss to European empiresEuropean empires of 19 of 19thth century, sold oil rights to British in the southwestcentury, sold oil rights to British in the southwest

Shah led country into serious debtShah led country into serious debt Iranians were upset over shah’s lavish lifestyle and Iranians were upset over shah’s lavish lifestyle and

looked for changelooked for change

Constitutional RevolutionConstitutional Revolution Constitution of 1906Constitution of 1906

– ElectionsElections– Separation of PowersSeparation of Powers– Laws made by an elected legislatureLaws made by an elected legislature– Popular sovereigntyPopular sovereignty– Bill of Rights guaranteeing citizen Bill of Rights guaranteeing citizen

equality, protection of the accused, and equality, protection of the accused, and freedom of expressionfreedom of expression

– Majlis & Guardian Council createdMajlis & Guardian Council created– Shi’ism became official state religionShi’ism became official state religion

Pahlavis (1925-1979)Pahlavis (1925-1979)

By early 1920’s Iran in political and By early 1920’s Iran in political and economic disarrayeconomic disarray

Majlis divided by quarreling factionsMajlis divided by quarreling factions Iran divided into three parts after WWI Iran divided into three parts after WWI

with Russia and Great Britain each with Russia and Great Britain each occupying a third of the countryoccupying a third of the country

Cossack Brigade of the Qajar’s led by Cossack Brigade of the Qajar’s led by Colonel Reza Khan carries out coup d’etat Colonel Reza Khan carries out coup d’etat in 1921 and claims himself shah in 1925 in 1921 and claims himself shah in 1925 establishing the Pahlavi dynastyestablishing the Pahlavi dynasty

Pahlavi’s continuedPahlavi’s continued Authoritarian rule reestablished in IranAuthoritarian rule reestablished in Iran Majlis loses its powerMajlis loses its power Reza Shah passes power to his son, Reza Shah passes power to his son,

Muhammad Reza Shah in 1941Muhammad Reza Shah in 1941 Democratic experiment of 1906 Democratic experiment of 1906

constitution not forgotten, shah constitution not forgotten, shah challenged domesticallychallenged domestically– Tudeh Party (communists)Tudeh Party (communists)– National Front (nationalists) - National Front (nationalists) - Muhammad Muhammad

MossadeqMossadeq Mossadeq overthrown by CIA in 1953, Mossadeq overthrown by CIA in 1953,

Shah reinstatedShah reinstated

Pahlavi - OIL & the Rent-Pahlavi - OIL & the Rent-seeking stateseeking state

Iran transformed into rent-seeking state under Iran transformed into rent-seeking state under Pahlavi’s rule because of increasing income from Pahlavi’s rule because of increasing income from oiloil

Rentier EconomyRentier Economy: : heavily supported by state heavily supported by state expenditure, while the state receives “rents” from expenditure, while the state receives “rents” from other countries*other countries*

Iran received increasing revenue from exporting oil Iran received increasing revenue from exporting oil and leasing oil fields to foreign countriesand leasing oil fields to foreign countries

By 1979, oil & associated industries provided 97% By 1979, oil & associated industries provided 97% of foreign exchange and majority of Iran’s GNPof foreign exchange and majority of Iran’s GNP

Oil revenue became so great that the government Oil revenue became so great that the government did not have to rely on internal taxes to generate did not have to rely on internal taxes to generate income, paid expenses from oil profitsincome, paid expenses from oil profits

**The people become unnecessary to the **The people become unnecessary to the government in this rentier stategovernment in this rentier state

Pahlavi InfluencePahlavi Influence Centralized StateCentralized State

– State banksState banks– National radio/TV networksNational radio/TV networks– National Iranian Oil Company (NIOC)National Iranian Oil Company (NIOC)– Central Bureaucracy controlled local governmentsCentral Bureaucracy controlled local governments– Majlis became “rubber-stamp” legislatureMajlis became “rubber-stamp” legislature– Secularization in judicial branch (European-style Secularization in judicial branch (European-style

judicial system)judicial system)– ““White Revolution”White Revolution”

Armed forces 5Armed forces 5thth largest in world by 1979 largest in world by 1979 Patronage – shahs boost personal wealth by seizing Patronage – shahs boost personal wealth by seizing

property and establishing tax-exempt property and establishing tax-exempt Pahlavi Pahlavi FoundationFoundation that controlled large companies and fed that controlled large companies and fed their wealththeir wealth

Muhammad Reza Shah formed Resurgence Party, Muhammad Reza Shah formed Resurgence Party, claimed Iran was one-party state, named himself headclaimed Iran was one-party state, named himself head

Pahlavi – “White Revolution”Pahlavi – “White Revolution”

““White” to counter influence of “red” White” to counter influence of “red” communistscommunists

Land reform – government bought land Land reform – government bought land from large absentee owners and clerics from large absentee owners and clerics and sold it to farmers at affordable and sold it to farmers at affordable pricesprices

Women’s rights (secularization)Women’s rights (secularization)– SuffrageSuffrage– Restricted PolygamyRestricted Polygamy– Women allowed to work outside the homeWomen allowed to work outside the home

Islamic Revolution & the Islamic Revolution & the Republic (1979-present)Republic (1979-present)

Dominant ideology of Iranian revolution: Dominant ideology of Iranian revolution: ReligionReligion– Leader a cleric (Ayatollah Ruhollah Khomeini)Leader a cleric (Ayatollah Ruhollah Khomeini)– Theocracy establishedTheocracy established– Fundamental IslamFundamental Islam

CausesCauses– Shah perceived as being totalitarianShah perceived as being totalitarian– Balance between secular and religious state Balance between secular and religious state

rupturedruptured– Ties with US and the Western world Ties with US and the Western world

strained/resentedstrained/resented

Khomeini, Fundamentalism, & Khomeini, Fundamentalism, & RevolutionRevolution

Islamic FundamentalismIslamic Fundamentalism– Literal interpretation of Islamic textsLiteral interpretation of Islamic texts– Social conservatismSocial conservatism– Political traditionalismPolitical traditionalism

Resentment toward elites, US, and Resentment toward elites, US, and the Western worldthe Western world– US was the “Great Satan”US was the “Great Satan”

Velayat-e faqih Velayat-e faqih (jurist’s guardianship)(jurist’s guardianship)– Senior clergy given authority over entire Shi’ia Senior clergy given authority over entire Shi’ia

communitycommunity

RevolutionRevolution Oil prices decrease about 10% in late 70sOil prices decrease about 10% in late 70s Consumer prices in Iran increase about 20% Consumer prices in Iran increase about 20%

at the same timeat the same time ““Revolution of Rising Expectations” – Revolution of Rising Expectations” –

revolutions occur when people are doing revolutions occur when people are doing better than they once were and a set back better than they once were and a set back occursoccurs

US puts pressure on shah to loosen US puts pressure on shah to loosen restrictions on civil society, in particular restrictions on civil society, in particular restraints on political oppositionrestraints on political opposition

Once restrictions were eased many groups Once restrictions were eased many groups join the revolt (students, teachers, labor join the revolt (students, teachers, labor groups, oil workers, merchants, and groups, oil workers, merchants, and professional associations)professional associations)

Revolution IIRevolution II

19781978– Unarmed demonstrators killed in central Unarmed demonstrators killed in central

square in Tehransquare in Tehran– Oil workers go on strikeOil workers go on strike– Anti-regime rallies attract 2 million participantsAnti-regime rallies attract 2 million participants

Rallies organized and led by clericsRallies organized and led by clerics Shah flees the country in February 1979Shah flees the country in February 1979 Khomeini returns to Iran from exile in ParisKhomeini returns to Iran from exile in Paris

Islamic RepublicIslamic Republic

April 1979 referendum held, Iranians officially April 1979 referendum held, Iranians officially vote out the shah, Islamic Republic establishedvote out the shah, Islamic Republic established

Assembly of Religious ExpertsAssembly of Religious Experts – 73 clerics – 73 clerics elected by the people draft a new constitution elected by the people draft a new constitution in 1979in 1979

US-Iranian hostage crisis on-going during vote US-Iranian hostage crisis on-going during vote to ratify constitutionto ratify constitution

99% of electorate votes to endorse 99% of electorate votes to endorse constitution, although only 75% of eligible constitution, although only 75% of eligible voters cast votesvoters cast votes

Khomeini & the Islamic Khomeini & the Islamic RepublicRepublic

Clerics consolidate powerClerics consolidate power Popular support for regime highPopular support for regime high

– World oil prices rise again, allowing for social World oil prices rise again, allowing for social programs, improvements in medicine & housingprograms, improvements in medicine & housing

– Iraq invades Iran, people rally around the Iraq invades Iran, people rally around the governmentgovernment

– Charisma of Khomeini inspired faith in the Charisma of Khomeini inspired faith in the governmentgovernment

Khomeini dies in 1989, constitution amendedKhomeini dies in 1989, constitution amended– Ali Khamenei succeeds Khomeini, does not have the Ali Khamenei succeeds Khomeini, does not have the

same political charisma as the Ayatollahsame political charisma as the Ayatollah– Iran-Iraq war ends in 1988, country war-tornIran-Iraq war ends in 1988, country war-torn– Oil prices drop in 1990’sOil prices drop in 1990’s– Population begins to question authoritarian rule of Population begins to question authoritarian rule of

the clericsthe clerics

Constitution of 1979Constitution of 1979

Mixture of theocracy and democracyMixture of theocracy and democracy Preamble reflects importance of Preamble reflects importance of

religionreligion Velayat-e faqih Velayat-e faqih (Jurist’s guardianship)(Jurist’s guardianship) Gave broad authority to Khomeini Gave broad authority to Khomeini

and the clericsand the clerics