Iran entered from 20th century to 21st century experiencing three major revolution, two world wars, and movement for independence and democracy. Oil is one object that greatly influenced Iran’s history. Iran has some of the oldest history dating back to 4000 BC.
In 6th century BC Persian Empire was found. It was later invited by Arabs, Mongols and various Turkish dynasties. After arab’s invasion of Iran, it gave way to Islam. Persia continued to run by foreign nation until 11th century when Turks arrived. The Safavids started a campaign of conversion of Islam in 16th century and made Shiite Islam the official religion of Iran. During 18th and 19th centuries Iran fall under pressure of Russia and Great Britain over control of the land (“Iran Chamber Society”).
Between 1905 and 1907 Constitutional Revolution of Iran took place against the Shah’s rule. There were series of demonstration against government to save the country from corruption and foreign manipulation. People from all classes were involved and lost lives in this revolution including landlords, merchants, the ulama (educated class), and the common people. As a result of the revolution Iran became a constitutional monarchy, and Shah was forced into creating constitution and creation of elected parliaments called Majlis (Katouzian, H., & Shahidi, H, 2008).
During World War I, Iran wanted to avoid involvement during the war by declaring neutrality but ended up being the battleground for British, Ottoman and Russian forces. British invaded part of Iran for their oil supplies. The western power, especially the French and British claimed that they were fighting World War I to free Iran from Ottoman rule. But in fact they were fighting for which country would control Middle East for its oil supplies. The chaos of Iran grew worse after the World War I as it didn’t resolve the political implications or foreign manipulations of Iran (The U.S. & Iran, 2013).
Reza Shah Pahlavi took over the government in 1925 using military force and since then Pahlavi dynasty ruled Iran until 1979. Reza Shah ruled for 16 years and in his time, he established authoritarian government, created large-scale industries, improved education system, opened Trans-Iranian Railroad, and over all transformed Iran into an industrial, urbanized country. During World War 2 pro-British Mohammed Reza Shah Pahlavi came into power. Like World War I, British troops relied on Iran for oil supplies, and USSR took control of the newly created railway system to transport goods from Persian Gulf to Soviet region (“Iran Chamber Society”).
Shah’s power greatly increased post World War 2 as US-UK’s intervention over Iran’s oil. Using revenue generated from exporting oil development of mineral agriculture and power resources were financed. During Shah Mohammad Reza Pahlavi’s time series of reform took place known as While Revolution in order to westernize Iran and transform Iran into industrialized global power. White Revolution included land reform, extension of voting rights to women, and elimination of illiteracy. Before White Revolution, landlords owned most of Iran’s land and peasants worked for low wages to farm the lands. Land reform produced independent farmers and improved GDP per capita. (“Iran Chamber Society”).
Despite Iran’s economic growth Iran was against Mohammed Reza Shah, which started Iranian Revolution led by Ayatollah Khomeini. Men and women of all classes revolted together to bring down Shah. On 1979, Khomeini successfully overthrew Reza Shah and made himself the highest ranking leader of Iran known as Supreme Leader for life. He created constitution that reflected Islamic ideas of government which the country currently based on. He banned drinking of alcohol, listening to western music and required women to wear veils. Khomeini took vengeance against Shah's officials by executing them. In 1981, Khomeini took extreme measures to control newspaper, and media by the government ("Iran Chamber Society")
This video will open eyes of many Americans about Iran.