The shah's regime suppressed and marginalized its opponents with the help of Iran's security and intelligence organization, the SAVAK. Relying on oil revenues, which sharply increased in late , the Shah pursued his goal of developing Iran as a mighty regional power dedicated to social reform and economic development. Yet he continually sidestepped democratic arrangements and refused to allow meaningful civic and political liberties, remaining unresponsive to public opinion.
By the mids the Shah reigned amidst widespread discontent caused by the continuing repressiveness of his regime, socioeconomic changes that benefited some classes at the expense of others, and the increasing gap between the ruling elite and the disaffected populace. Islamic leaders, particularly the exiled cleric Ayatollah Khomeini , were able to focus this discontent with a populist ideology tied to Islamic principles and calls for the overthrow of the shah.
The Shah's government collapsed following widespread uprisings in and consequently an Islamic Republic succeeded his regime. Beset by advanced cancer, the shah left Iran in January to begin a life in exile.
He lived in Egypt, Morocco, the Bahamas, and Mexico before going to the United States for treatment of lymphatic cancer. The Shah died in Cairo, Egypt, on July 27, History of Iran. On Sept. This was a most confused and perilous period for Iran. Not only was there a global war, but Iran was squeezed between the traditionally bitter rivalry of Russia and Britain. To this was added the lure of the vast resources of oil in Iran, which were eagerly sought by the Russians, Americans, and British.
Furthermore, the Soviet pressure on Iran had an ideological dimension which sought revolutionary change in the country. The young Shah was caught in the midst of this struggle between the pro-Soviet Tudeh party, which wanted social revolution without the Shah, and the pro-British National Will party, which wanted the Shah but no social change.
The Shah himself was not happy with either. The Soviet Union refused to evacuate Iran after World War II as it had promised and instead stayed to help a branch of the Persian Communist party set up a separate government in the northwest province of Azarbayjan.
Iran complained to the fledgling United Nations organization. After much negotiations the Soviet Union evacuated Azarbayjan on May 9, , and the Shah entered the province in the midst of popular jubilation. But this did not bring tranquility, for the oil problem had not been solved. The new National Front party, formed under the leadership of Dr. Mohammad Mosaddeq, followed a philosophy of "negative neutralism. The country was plunged into such a crisis that by communication broke down between the Shah and Prime Minister Mosaddeq and also among the prime minister, his cabinet, and the parliament.
At the height of the crisis the Shah was temporarily exiled before returning to Tehran in triumph. The anti-communist uprising was supported by the US and British governments. By the time of his belated coronation in October Iran enjoyed one of the highest rates of economic growth in the world and a reputation as a bastion of peace and stability in the Persian Gulf.
The Shah emerged as an international statesman whose Imperial Armed Forces provided a protective shield over regional oil assets and shipping routes. In he married Farah Diba with whom he had four children: Reza b. With a booming economy, the strongest military in the region, and strong support from its western partners, Iran provided the region with stability and security. The Shah stepped up the pace of modernization and Iran became a regional hub for commerce, science and the arts.
In the Shah invited world leaders to Iran to mark the 2,th anniversary of the Persian monarchy.
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