To what extent was Ayatollah Khomeini’s role crucial to the success of the Iranian Revolution in 1979?
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Course
The Middle East
Institution
OCR
A model answer for the thematic unit of the OCR History A Level. Awarded top band of the mark scheme. Middle East Unit - very limited content available on the internet as it is a new spec.
to what extent was ayatollah khomeini’s role crucial to the success of the iranian revolution in 1979
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To what extent was Ayatollah Khomeini’s role crucial to the success of the Iranian
Revolution in 1979?
[25 marker]
While the domestic problems and the weakness of the shah contributed to the success of the
Iranian revolution, it was these factors that provided the crucial environment necessary for
Ayatollah Khomeini to capitalise on to ensure success. Therefore, Ayatollah Khomeini’s role
was crucial to the success of the Iranian Revolution to a large degree. This essay will thus
focus on the effect of Khomeini’s influence, the desperation of the Iranian population and the
illness of the shah.
Firstly, Khomeini’s influence played a crucial role in the success of the Iranian revolution in
1979. This is because Khomeini was able to capitalise on the socio-political problem’s
existent in Iran as a figure to replace the shah. This is significant as Khomeini’s influence and
ideas spread all over Iran, causing members of the National Front and their various splinter
groups to join a broad opposition to the shah’s regime. Despite being sent into exile,
Khomeini was able to preach about the evils of the Pahlavi regime, accusing the shah of
irreligion and subservience to foreign powers. Khomeini has achieved this by releasing
thousands of tapes, and print copies of his speeches smuggled back into Iran during the 1970s
as an increasing number of unemployed and working-poor Iranians turn to Khomeini for
influence. This is significant, as it demonstrates Khomeini’s determination and successful
ability to win over the Iranian population. With the backing of the people and his contentious
efforts, Khomeini played a vital role in the success of the Iranian Revolution. This is because
the revolution itself was sparked by Khomeini, meaning that without his influence, the shah’s
regime may not have been threatened and removed. As a leading figure, Khomeini sparked
the revolution, led the successful revolution and eventually replaced the shah – demonstrating
him as a central figure in causing the success of the Iranian revolution.
However, without the domestic problems in Iran, Khomeini would not have had the
necessary backing to cause a successful revolution. This is because, population and the
secular intellectuals, as a reflection of the entire state, allowed Khomeini to capitalise on the
weaknesses of the monarchy and overrun it. For example, the White Revolution was an
aggressive modernisation program that upended the wealth and influence of landowners and
clerics, disrupted rural economies, led to rapid urbanisation and Westernisation, and
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