Analytical Essay: The Iranian Revolution

The Iranian Revolution of 1979 was the first large international conflict in the Middle East after the Second World War. This significant event in politics, history and religion resulted from the reign of the Shah Muhammad Reza Pahlavi- the second and last Shah from the Pahlavi dynasty, who ruled between the years 1941-1979. It is believed by many that the Iranian Revolution was an extremist religious response to the Shah’s attempts to modernize Iran, which had violated the strict Muslim traditions, such as Pahlavi’s trade with the West of alcohol, tobacco, the spreading and consumption of which are considered a sin in Islam; and propagation of Western culture through films and fashion. Pahlavi’s rather rapid modernization process resulted

First of all, the Shah’s inadequate and brutal responses to the opposition members (adopting martial laws and destroying riots with the use of heavy artillery) prompted many Iranians to lose their trust in Pahlavi’s rule and to cling back to the traditions of the latter. The evident economic development of the country during the late 1950s and early 60s, the Shah’s later attempts to win the public back were already replaced with the revolutionary thought. In order for a revolution to take place, the entire nation needs to be encouraged. Namely, the economic boom resulted in increased levels of inflation, higher imported goods prices, and augmented separation between the social classes. When in a situation of poverty and worsening living conditions, it is typical for the people to seek support from religion (Chomsky), which is exactly what Islam provided for the Iranians- hope for a better life under obeyed Muslim traditions and restoration of the old Persian glory. The public answered the extreme methods of imposing Westernization with an even stronger wave of clerical support and increasing desire and pressure for the Shah to abdicate. Pahlavi had not only lost the lower class of the Iranian society, but was on the verge of chasing away his only supporters- the middle and upper class, due to the increasing tax rates- more than 50% of their earnings. In order to evaluate the extent, to which the Iranian revolution of 1979 was initiated purely by religious purposes, it is important to look at the political, social and economic context of Iran during the reign of Shah Muhammad Reza Pahlavi, as well as to explore the