The Iranian Revolution

Persuasive Essay # 102714

History > Middle Eastern

This paper explains the Iranian Revolution as a triumph for some and a tragedy for others.

745 words () | 3 sources | MLA | 2008 United States

Paper Summary:

The paper discusses how Ayatollah Khomeini and his followers considered the Iranian Revolution a triumph because they succeeded in overthrowing the brutal government of the Shah and establishing an Islamic Republic. The paper explains, however, that the revolution has been a tragedy for the Iranian people because fundamentalist Islamic rule has been just as repressive and brutal. The paper asserts that the revolution's only accomplishment was to replace one regime of tyranny with a different, just as brutal, regime.

From the Paper:

"Khomeini and the ayatollahs intended from the very beginning of the revolution to establish a repressive Islamic government, but concealed this agenda in order to build widespread public support in Iran and minimize the risk that the United States would intervene in the revolution. Khomeini's duplicity at this time was crucial, for if the United States or moderate Arab states in the Middle East had known that Khomeini intended all along to establish a radical Islamic theocracy, it is highly likely that they would have considered it necessary to intervene militarily. (Viorst)"

Sample of Sources Used:

Hussain, S. "Islamic Law and the Modern Age." Hamdard Islamicus. Volume XXII. No. 1, 1997.
Moadell, Mansoor. 1994, Class, Politics, and Ideology in the Iranian Revolution. New York: Columbia University Press.
Viorst, Milton. "Ayatollah Ruhollah Khomeini." Time. Online. Available: http: //www.pathfinder.com/time/interstitials/inter.html. 21 March 2007.