11th February 1979: Iranian Revolution overthrows Mohammad Reza Shah Pahlavi, last Shah of Iran
Iran gained immense wealth under the Shah thanks to an abundant supply of oil. The Shah had come to power in 1941 and tried to secure support by using oil money to modernise the country. These reforms, known as the ‘White Revolution’ were interpreted by some as pandering to Western ideals that went against Iran’s traditions while the vast majority of the population continued to live in poverty.
The Shah established the brutal SAVAK secret police to maintain control, but a growing number of Iranians were increasingly turning against him. They found a leader in the Muslim scholar Ayatollah Khomeini who, despite being forced into exile in 1964, continued to be a vocal critic of the Shah’s government. He played down his intention of establishing an Islamic government, focusing instead on his desire to overthrow the Shah.
On 8 September 1978 over 500 people were killed by soldiers on what became known as ‘Black Friday’. The Shah’s attempts to restore calm had no effect on the public, who continued to call for his removal.
Recognising that his overthrow was becoming inevitable, the Shah and his wife left Iran on January 15 for the USA. Khomeini returned from exile two weeks later. Finally, on 11 February the Supreme Military Council ordered all troops back to their barracks and effectively handed control to Khomeini and his supporters.
The overthrow of Mohammad Reza Shah Pahlavi brought the 2,500 year old monarchy in Iran to an end and ushered in a theocracy overseen by the Ayatollah Khomeini.
The Shah established the brutal SAVAK secret police to maintain control, but a growing number of Iranians were increasingly turning against him. They found a leader in the Muslim scholar Ayatollah Khomeini who, despite being forced into exile in 1964, continued to be a vocal critic of the Shah’s government. He played down his intention of establishing an Islamic government, focusing instead on his desire to overthrow the Shah.
On 8 September 1978 over 500 people were killed by soldiers on what became known as ‘Black Friday’. The Shah’s attempts to restore calm had no effect on the public, who continued to call for his removal.
Recognising that his overthrow was becoming inevitable, the Shah and his wife left Iran on January 15 for the USA. Khomeini returned from exile two weeks later. Finally, on 11 February the Supreme Military Council ordered all troops back to their barracks and effectively handed control to Khomeini and his supporters.
The overthrow of Mohammad Reza Shah Pahlavi brought the 2,500 year old monarchy in Iran to an end and ushered in a theocracy overseen by the Ayatollah Khomeini.
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