The Islamic Revolution (also known as the Iranian Revolution) has been acknowledged as one of the most consequential events of the twentieth century, initiating a period of Islamic revivalism and the struggles against ‘modernisation’ involving the overthrow of the Pahlavi dynasty, under Mohammed Reza Shah Pahlavi, and its eventual reinstatement of Ayatollah Khomeini, the leader of the revolution that introduced Muslim fundamentalism. Political repression by the regime of Mohammed Reza Shah, particularly the SAVAK (secret police) and the concept of authoritarianism were the political features of the revolution. The opposing fundamentalists of Westernisation and Secularisation movements were a constant and eminent aspect of the socio-cultural
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The beginning stages of the revolution were all foundationally based on calls for ‘democracy’, however, the style the government was established before the revolution was too distinctive to adjust to this concept. The government was best to be described as ‘authoritarianism’, which defines that it is a form of government that is characterised by absolute authority restricting individual autonomy. This is extremely important, as Mohammed Reza Shah Pahlavi, The King of Iran of that time was an authoritarian who prevented people to live independent and liberal lifestyles. Shah’s power in Iran constantly fluctuated due to his outstanding authoritarian tendencies that violated the Iran Constitution of 1906, inclusive of the repression of dissent by security services like the SAVAK. SAVAK (Sazeman-e Ettela’at va Amniyat-e Keshvar) was the secret police, domestic security and intelligence service established by Iran’s Mohammed Reza Shah with the help of United State’s Central Intelligence Agency (CIA). SAVAK’s purpose of establishment was to torture and execute opponents of the Pahlavi regime. This became the government’s tyrannical arm and investigated allegedly suspicious organisations, such as communal organisations, mosques, student groups all having links to rebellion. It was one of the most hated and feared institutions that instilled pervasive fear in the society of the …show more content…
One outstanding event that revealed the Shah’s dominant and tyrannical side as well as SAVAK’s inhumane actions was the murder of the theological students disturbed by the opening of the liquor stores at the Faizeyyeh Madrasa in Qom, March 22nd 1963. The reason behind this heinous activity was that the Shah feared opposition, resulting in him cracking down on dissent. Ayatollah Khomeini responded to this disruption by delivering a sermon two and a half months later on the Day of Ashura (June 2, 1963), accusing the Shah of forcing the government to commit the attack as well as having a conspiracy with Israel and warning the regime of it imminent and visioned collapse. Khomeini was imprisoned two days later and sent to trial for treason. This caused a usurping of corruption in Iran as thousands of angered Khomeini supports released their anger by creating an atmosphere of devotion and willingness to die. This protest had a violent impact on Iran as the Khomeini supporters set fire to theatres, banks, and government buildings. Responding to this protest, the government released open fire to the angry protestors, creating the civilians with a disillusioned ambience questioning the extreme measures taken by the government. This uprising was effectively noted due to the critical impact that led to rise of the 1979 Islamic
The beginning stages of the revolution were all foundationally based on calls for ‘democracy’, however, the style the government was established before the revolution was too distinctive to adjust to this concept. The government was best to be described as ‘authoritarianism’, which defines that it is a form of government that is characterised by absolute authority restricting individual autonomy. This is extremely important, as Mohammed Reza Shah Pahlavi, The King of Iran of that time was an authoritarian who prevented people to live independent and liberal lifestyles. Shah’s power in Iran constantly fluctuated due to his outstanding authoritarian tendencies that violated the Iran Constitution of 1906, inclusive of the repression of dissent by security services like the SAVAK. SAVAK (Sazeman-e Ettela’at va Amniyat-e Keshvar) was the secret police, domestic security and intelligence service established by Iran’s Mohammed Reza Shah with the help of United State’s Central Intelligence Agency (CIA). SAVAK’s purpose of establishment was to torture and execute opponents of the Pahlavi regime. This became the government’s tyrannical arm and investigated allegedly suspicious organisations, such as communal organisations, mosques, student groups all having links to rebellion. It was one of the most hated and feared institutions that instilled pervasive fear in the society of the …show more content…
One outstanding event that revealed the Shah’s dominant and tyrannical side as well as SAVAK’s inhumane actions was the murder of the theological students disturbed by the opening of the liquor stores at the Faizeyyeh Madrasa in Qom, March 22nd 1963. The reason behind this heinous activity was that the Shah feared opposition, resulting in him cracking down on dissent. Ayatollah Khomeini responded to this disruption by delivering a sermon two and a half months later on the Day of Ashura (June 2, 1963), accusing the Shah of forcing the government to commit the attack as well as having a conspiracy with Israel and warning the regime of it imminent and visioned collapse. Khomeini was imprisoned two days later and sent to trial for treason. This caused a usurping of corruption in Iran as thousands of angered Khomeini supports released their anger by creating an atmosphere of devotion and willingness to die. This protest had a violent impact on Iran as the Khomeini supporters set fire to theatres, banks, and government buildings. Responding to this protest, the government released open fire to the angry protestors, creating the civilians with a disillusioned ambience questioning the extreme measures taken by the government. This uprising was effectively noted due to the critical impact that led to rise of the 1979 Islamic