About Jean Nassar Expertise I know well the history of Lebanon and the surrounding area, and can answer many questions about military history and tactics. Also, I know a lot of the space program. My information is not limited to 20th Century history, particularly in the area east of the Mediterranean.
Experience Although I am still in school , I am an avid reader, and have taken an interest in my country's history (Lebanon), especially after the catastrophes of 2005 and 2006.
Expert: Jean Nassar Date: 4/5/2006 Subject: 20th and 21st century iran history
Question hello, my name is brandon. i have a senior issues project tommorow(model UN) and my section is 20th and 21st century history. there is a check point due tommorow asking what the top two events and people/groups are in iran that shaped iran's economics societal and cultural characturistics.
Answer I am sorry, Brandon, but this question is out of my expertise. However, I might be able to help with a little.
First, though, I will warn you: I am still in 10th Grade.
The base in Iran's cultural characteristics is the Islamic Revolution of 1979. The Shah Mohammad Reza Pahlavi, was pro-Western, and in power since 1941 (with brief interruption in 1953).
The Shah enforced a strict regime, imprisoning hundreds of political activists, and enforcing censorship laws. At the same time, however, living conditions for the people improved significantly, and many basic human and democratic rights were established (e.g. extending suffrage to women), which were fiercely opposed by the islamic fundamentalists opposing the Shah. The Shah was denounced by many for being a puppet of the United States.
In 1978, a newspaper article attacked Ayatolla Ruhollah Khomeini, and supporters protested until, on December 12, almost two million people filled the Shahyad Square in protest. THe army refused to fire on the protesters and switched sides.
Prime Ministed Dr. Shapour Bakhtiar of the opposition was handed some power. He dissolved the secret service and freed all political prisoners. He also allowed Khomeini to return after years of exile, asking him to form a Vatican-like state in Qom and calling upon the opposition to preserve the constitution, promising free elections.
Khomeini rejected Dr. Bakhtiar's demands fiercely and appointed an interim government on his own. Shortly after, with the military announcing their impartiality in the conflict, the overthrow of monarchy was completed at the hands of the revolutionaries led by the Ayatollah Khomeini.
Iran was transformed from a pro-Western constitutional monarchy to an Islamic, populist theocratic republic under the rule of Ayatollah Ruhollah Khomeini.
Another powerful party is probably Hizbollah (the party of god), in which most of the Shiites in Lebanon are. Its role, however, is vague to me.
In the 21st century, after Mahmoud Ahmedinajad won the presidential elections, he tried to restart the nuclear program, causing the turmoil you see today.
I am sorry for the lateness, and I hope I haven't caused much trouble and that the answers were satisfying.
