Mohammad Reza Pahlavi, known as the Shah of Iran, ruled Iran from 1941 to 1979. As those who came before him, he continued a policy of westernization by moving away from traditional Islamic laws, and implementing policies which could be seen as going against Islam. Not all of Iran’s laws were based on religion. Women were discouraged from wearing a Hijab, and alcohol could be served (Hsu). Although Iran was still an Islamic country, there was definite secularism. The Shah’s regime believed they were rapidly moving towards a society full of human rights, rather than one focused on religion (Cottam 121). Not all Iranians were pleased to see the country become more similar to countries of the West such as the US.

The Shah’s rule was not an all that religious rule, but a one of power. Religion was not what life revolved around while he was in power. Come 1979, many opposed the way the Shah ruled and rioted. This became the Iranian Revolution, which overthrew the Shah’s regime. The movement was led by Ruhollah Khomeini, the grand ayatollah who was the leader of the Shiite Muslims in Iran. With a new leader came a new revived sense of religion. Khomeini made Iran an Islamic Republic (Hsu). The vast majority of western progressive policies that the Shah had created were now seen as contradictory with the Islam religion. No more alcohol or western music, and women were once again required to wear a Hijab (Hsu). These changes, although they may seem social, were really ones of religion. After the revolution, religion was the centerpiece of the country. Iran is technically called the Islamic Republic of Iran. Even the preamble of Iran’s constitution after the revolution begins with “The Constitution of the Islamic Republic of Iran sets forth the cultural, social, political, and economic institutions of Iranian society on the basis of Islamic principles and norms” (Constitution of the Islamic Republic of Iran). 

Clearly Iran’s main religion became more than just a part of society. Many laws are now based around Sharia, the Islamic law, and any new laws proposed must be compared to Sharia in order to see if it is in accordance (Constitution of the Islamic Republic of Iran). Islam, after the revolution, became the overarching element of life, which set the basis for life in Iran even up to this day.

Works cited 

Constitution of the Islamic Republic of Iran, Preamble

Cottam, Richard W. “The Human Rights Movement In Iran In Historical Context.” Case Western Reserve Journal of International Law, vol. 12, no. 1, 1980, pp. 121–136.

Hsu, Sabrina. “Life in Iran Before and After the Revolution: How Religion Redefined a Nation.” StMU History Media, 9 Dec. 2018, stmuhistorymedia.org/life-in-iran-before-and-after-the-revolution/.

Karimi, Nasser, and Jon Gambrell. “Torture Still Scars Iranians 40 Years after Revolution.” AP NEWS, Associated Press, 6 Feb. 2019, apnews.com/article/072580b5f24b4f8ea2402221d530257e. 

Iran was never an official colony of the European powers, however, in 1908 a British company discovered Iran’s oil supply, and this sparked Iran’s communication with the industrialized world (“Iranian Revolution Facts, History, Chronology, Outcome.”). The Shah, who is Iran’s leader, agreed to give the British the ability to search and sell the oil. In 1921, there was a coup d’état that was done by the army general, Reza Shah (“Iranian Revolution Facts, History, Chronology, Outcome.”). He was unpopular with many members of Iran’s community because he began to westernize the country, which went against many religious and societal beliefs. In 1963 the new Shah, who was the son of Reza Shah, began the White Revolution (“Iran Profile – Timeline”). This plan was meant to be for “land reform and social and economic modernization” (“Iran Profile – Timeline”) but, was met with much criticism from clergy members and one in particular, Ayatollah Khomeini. He spoke out strongly against him and many people agreed with Ayatollah Khomeini, but he was exiled in 1964 for speaking out (Afary). The Shah used the SAVAK, his secret police, in the late 1960’s to continue his authoritarian rule and to keep opposition movements at bay (“Iran Profile – Timeline”). The oil boom in the 1070’s made the Shah very rich, but the regular people of Iran suffered from high inflation and were struggling to survive (Afary). In January of 1978, the spark for the revolution occurred when a Tehran-based newspaper, Ettela’at, published an article that criticized Khomeini (Afary). This caused many Iranian students and youth to begin protesting. The protests grew and the Shah decided he must take action, which was very brutal and left many injured or dead. Shi’a Islam has a tradition to hold memorials 40 days after someone has passed away, so after the 40 days the memorials were held, which then created a ripple effect of more protests and violence, which continued until the summer of 1978 (Afary). This was the beginning of the Islamic revolution, which later included events like the terrorist attack to a cinema and Black Friday, which will be discussed in Persepolis, along with many of the social effects of war and the regime.

Works Cited

“Iran Profile – Timeline.” BBC News, BBC, 6 Jan. 2020, www.bbc.com/news/world-middle-east-14542438.

“Iranian Revolution Facts, History, Chronology, Outcome.” School History, 4 Feb. 2021, schoolhistory.co.uk/notes/iranian-revolution/.

Afary, Janet. “Iranian Revolution.” Encyclopædia Britannica, Encyclopædia Britannica, Inc., 20 Jan. 2021, www.britannica.com/event/Iranian-Revolution.