BBC DOCUMENTARY THE IRANIAN REVOLUTION

Mohammad, ruled Iran from September 1941 to February 1979.

Determined to turn his impoverished country to a modern and
industrialised one.
Personality Regal, autocratic and over-ambitious
Power was clustered among a close network of the Shah's
relations and friends.
First religious revolution in modern history and the first televised
revolution ever
Why did it occur? Voice of protest against the rule of the Shah
Conflict between two men: Imam Khomeini (vision to establish an
Islamic State) and Mohammad Reza Shah Pahlavi (delusions
overshadowed his ambitions)
First real threat to the Shahs power 1950s, the prime minister
had been favoured by the Iranian public
Turn Iran into a constitutional monarch
Promising social and economic reform, the ayatollah prescribed a
return to traditional religious values, which struck a chord with
many Iranians.
1953 - Shah leaves for a holiday in Italy, believing that he was
about to be forced to abdicate
Distrust of the Shah's economic policy and resentment of his
autocratic style fuelled dissent against his regime.
The Shah abuses his power, becomes a monarch attempts to
transform Iran into a modernized country through reform, where
the mosque had no say.
Religious leaders would back the monarchy as long as the
monarchy would protect the Jewish leaders
Intent on turning Iran into a military superpower
In January 1979, the Shah left Tehran for an "extended vacation".
He was never to return.
All over Iran statues of the Shah were torn down by Khomeini
supporters