On April 1, 1999 Iranians joyfully celebrated the twentieth anniversary of their successful Islamic Revolution. This revolution, led by the charismatic figure Ayatollah Khomeini, removed the Shah and constituted the first Islamic Republic in modern times. Various countries, such as the United Kingdom, but more directly the United States for its own strategic and economic purposes, tried desperately to prevent this outcome. With so many overt and covert efforts aimed against Iran, the "David" of Iran defeated the US "Goliath." All revolutions have their incipient actions that precipitate them, and Iran is not exempt from this precept. The causes of the Iranian Revolution of 1979 stem from the dissatisfaction of the Iranian people with the Shah's modernizing efforts; the Shah's authoritarian government; disenchantment with the influence of Western views; a return to traditional Islamic values; and, most important, the persona of Ayatollah Khomeini. The following will seek to elucidate the basis for Iran's Islamic Revolution.

Prior to 1941 relations between Iran and the United States were nearly non-existent. The threat of the Soviet Union with Communism and the response of US global s

Throughout her glorious history, the Persian nation of Iran has stood at the crossroad where outside foreign powers interests, influence, and ideas collided. The period between 1953-1979 witnessed tremendous change and upheaval. The United States "backed their man" the Shah, who wreaked havoc on Iran's economy and society. Ayatollah Khomeini and the Islamic Revolution he unleashed put the pieces back together. The causes that led to the revolution are numerous and none deserve greater weight since all contributed equally. For the future, the tenacity Iranians have shown for the support of their revolution lends its self to the fact that the revolution is far from being over. Twenty years later the revolutionary spirit lives on.

Samii, Kuross A. "Involvement by Invitation: American Strategies of Containment in Iran" Pennsylvania State University Press, 1987

Tremendous oil wealth did not result in overall marked improvement in the economic condition of the average Iranian citizen. Imported technology meant imported advisors and technicians. Whereas Saudi Arabia and Kuwait reserved top-level jobs for its citizens, the opposite held true for Iran. Also, these oil sheikdoms had small enough populations, which allowed their government to be generous with monetary rewards for the indigenous population. Due to the vast numbers of Iranians, the government was unable to match the per capita oil income of her neighbors. Foreigners in Arab states were viewed as servants to their state; however this was in stark contrast to Iran where the perception was one of master.

Bill, James A. "The Eagle and the Lion: The Tragedy of American-Iranian Relations" Yale University Press, 1988

The influence of Western views descended on Iran through the media of television, and its impact was quite negative. Shows such as "Canon," "Baretta," "Ironside," "The Six Million Dollar Man," "B" movies, and "Westerns" cast occidental life in an unfavorable light. These ubiquitous films dramatically propagated the myth "that American life consists chiefly of cow-punching, rescuing abducted girls, gangster warfare, and walking like Charlie Chaplin." Khomeini not only declared this material as un-Islamic, but anti-Islamic as well. Thus, many in Iran became disenchanted with the influence of Western views.

Merchant, professional, and the urban middle class voiced economic and personal complaints. "Many members of the modern middle class remained troubled by the absence of democratic institutions, by the extensive repression and censorship, and by Iran's close relationship with the United States and other Western countries (Friedlander P210)." During the Mossadeq era corruption existed, under the Shah's reign it flourished and manifested itself as a way of life. Through close ties with the Shah, a small group of notables gained enormous wealth from defense, construction, and import contracts. Approximately 60,000 bazaar merchants were prevented from these lucrative dealings. Importation of mass produced goods threatened the livelihood of businessmen and artisans.

Besides the United Kingdom, the US also, under the auspices of the Central Intelligence Agency (CIA), was making a substantial effort to undermine and overthrow the Mosaddeq regime. Through two Iranians code-named Nerren and Cilley, the CIA carried out covert activities in Iran. Most of these activities were anti-Soviet and anti-Tudeh in nature. "Under operation BEDAMN, anticommunist articles and cartoons were planted in Iranian newspapers; books and leaflets critical of the Soviet Union and the Tudeh party were written and distributed; rumors were started (Gasiorowski P69)." Attacks were directed against pro-Soviet Iranians, and also have Iranians turn their backs on Tudeh (Pro-Communist party). Various techniques were used to achieve these ends, such as the financing of anti-Communist groups (Pan Iranist party & Somka) or hiring street gangs to disrupt Tudeh rallie

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