The Islamic RevolutionThe Islamic Revolution

Ali KhameneiAli Khamenei Born in 1939Born in 1939 When living in Najaf, Iraq at age 18 he began advanced When living in Najaf, Iraq at age 18 he began advanced

religious trainingreligious training In Lebanon and Libya Khamenei undertook limited In Lebanon and Libya Khamenei undertook limited

paramilitary training in Palestinian campsparamilitary training in Palestinian camps In 1958 he moved to Qom in Iraq where he became a In 1958 he moved to Qom in Iraq where he became a

student of ayatollah khameinistudent of ayatollah khameini Was involved in massive student protests against the Was involved in massive student protests against the

shah’s western–oriented reformsshah’s western–oriented reforms Took power in 1979Took power in 1979 Was elected supreme leader by a council of Islamic experts Was elected supreme leader by a council of Islamic experts

on June 5, 1989on June 5, 1989 Protests were brutally crushed and khamenei was exiledProtests were brutally crushed and khamenei was exiled

The ShahThe Shah

Came to power during World War 2Came to power during World War 2 Shah is a Persian term for a monarch (ruler) Shah is a Persian term for a monarch (ruler)

that has been in other languages that has been in other languages Shah turned indecisive again embraced Shah turned indecisive again embraced

conspiracy theoriesconspiracy theories displayed moods of withdrawal displayed moods of withdrawal The choices he made contributed to his The choices he made contributed to his

downfalldownfall

Causes of the Islamic RevolutionCauses of the Islamic Revolution

1) dissatisfaction of the Iranian people 1) dissatisfaction of the Iranian people with the Shah's modernization efforts with the Shah's modernization efforts

2) the Shah's authoritarian government2) the Shah's authoritarian government 3) disenchantment with the influence of 3) disenchantment with the influence of

Western views Western views 4) a return to traditional Islamic values4) a return to traditional Islamic values 5) the leadership of the Ayatollah 5) the leadership of the Ayatollah

Khomeini Khomeini