The Islamic Revolution in Iran

The Shah of Iran, Mohammed Reza Shah Pahlavi, was in power from the early 1940s until 1979. Often supported by western governments, the Shah modernized Iran, helped the country develop economically and commercially, and brought in many western customs and practices. Many of his reforms, however, were not popular with most Iranians. Inflation was extremely high in the 1960s and 1970s, creating widespread economic hardships. Furthermore, a number of Iranians wanted an Islamic government, not a secular one. In the last two decades of Pahlavi's reign, religious and student leaders began to advocate for government change.

By the late 1970s, a leader emerged to bring focus to the emerging revolution: the Ayatollah Khomeini, a respected Islamic clergyman. Khomeini was an engaging speaker who was popular with the people. He used his oratory skills to demand change, not just in terms of religion but also...