OSHER 68 - Iran: Shah to Present

This class will provide a brief history of Iran in the 20th century, and detail the events that led to the rise of Islamic fundamentalism in the 1970s. We will start with an in-depth discussion around nationalization of the Iranian oil industry and its effect on the region. Next, the course will cover Britain's historical mistakes which led to the nationalization of oil, and the British oriented coup which, with the help of CIA, led to the overthrow of the democratically elected prime minister, Mohammed Mossadegh. We will also discuss the reign of Mohammad Reza Shah of the Pahlavi dynasty, his service and his devastating mistakes. Finally, we'll discuss the 1979 Iranian revolution and the establishment of the Islamic republic.