Life in IRAN Before and After The Islamic Revolution | 5 Differences in 15 Minutes
Summary
TLDRThis video explores Iran's transformation before and after the Islamic Revolution. It highlights the country's shift from modernization under the Shah's Western-influenced regime, with cultural freedoms and educational reforms, to the post-revolution period dominated by conservative Islamic values. The revolution reversed many of the Shah’s reforms, leading to restrictions on women's rights, a state-controlled economy, and an anti-Western political system. Despite improvements in literacy and infrastructure, Iran faces economic challenges, high unemployment, and rising demands for freedom, especially from younger generations.
Takeaways
- 🌍 Iran experienced significant cultural changes before and after the Islamic Revolution, shifting from a Western-influenced society to an anti-Western one.
- 👥 The White Revolution led to rapid modernization and Westernization, but also caused discontent due to oppression and corruption.
- 🏛️ The Islamic Revolution resulted in a crackdown on perceived enemies of the state, with a focus on conservative Islamic ideology.
- 👩🎓 Education underwent a major shift post-revolution, with a return to religious focus and the removal of secular aspects.
- 📈 Literacy rates improved dramatically after the Islamic Revolution, with a significant reduction in the gender gap.
- 🚫 Women's rights were restricted post-revolution, with laws enforcing dress codes and limiting public roles and education fields.
- 💵 The economy was a key factor leading to the Islamic Revolution, with wealth inequality and a focus on urban areas.
- 📊 Iran's economy diversified post-revolution, but oil remains a critical source of foreign exchange and government revenue.
- 🏦 State control over key economic sectors discourages private investment and affects economic performance.
- 🗳️ Iran's political system is unique, combining elements of democracy with a supreme leader who has significant control over various aspects of governance.
- 🌐 Iran's top trading partners have shifted from Western to Eastern and regional countries due to its anti-Western stance.
Q & A
What was the White Revolution in Iran?
-The White Revolution was an aggressive modernization program in Iran that led to rapid westernization. It included reforms such as women's voting rights, family law reforms, and increased women's participation in the economy and society.
What were the main reasons for the Islamic Revolution in Iran?
-The main reasons for the Islamic Revolution were general unhappiness with the regime's corruption, a luxurious lifestyle, and the influence of Western powers on Iran's government. This led to social anti-government demonstrations that escalated into the revolution.
How did the Islamic Revolution change Iran's cultural landscape?
-After the Islamic Revolution, Iran adopted an anti-western mindset, and conservative political and religious leaders cracked down on perceived enemies of the state. This resulted in stricter enforcement of Islamic codes of dress and behavior.
What was the impact of the Islamic Revolution on women's rights in Iran?
-The Islamic Revolution led to the retraction of many freedoms women had gained under the Shah's rule. Mandatory hijab, public dress codes, and restrictions on education and employment opportunities for women were imposed.
What were the key educational changes after the Islamic Revolution?
-After the Islamic Revolution, religion was reintroduced into all schools, secular education was scrapped, and there was a focus on regulating behavior and dress of students, including mandatory hijabs for girls.
How has literacy and education in Iran changed since the Islamic Revolution?
-Literacy and education rates have improved dramatically since the Islamic Revolution. By 2016, the literacy rate was 86%, the gender gap was reduced to 9%, and the female enrollment rate in tertiary education was over 66%.
What was the economic situation in Iran before the Islamic Revolution?
-Before the Islamic Revolution, the economy was heavily dependent on oil, with over 90% of Iran's GDP coming from oil and gas. There was also a significant gap between urban and rural areas and a poverty rate of around 25%.
How has Iran's economy diversified since the Islamic Revolution?
-Iran's economy has become more diversified with services making up 50% of the GDP, industry and mining at 32%, agriculture at 13%, and oil at only 5%. However, oil remains a critical source of foreign exchange and government revenue.
What is the role of the Supreme Leader in Iran's political system?
-The Supreme Leader in Iran is an omnipotent figure who controls the economy, Armed Forces, environment, foreign policy, education, national planning, intelligence, defense, and even the multi-billion dollar government account.
How does the Guardian Council function within Iran's political system?
-The Guardian Council is composed of 12 members who approve laws consented by the parliament, monitor elections, and review candidates for elected offices, including the president.
What are the current challenges faced by Iran's economy?
-Iran's economy faces challenges such as high-income inequality, difficulty in absorbing university graduates, and state domination of key sectors that discourage private investments. Additionally, high unemployment rates among educated youth suggest deeper problems with the economic growth model.
Outlines
🌍 Iran's Transformation: From Westernization to Islamic Revolution
The first paragraph discusses the drastic changes Iran underwent before and after the Islamic Revolution. Under the Shah's rule, Iran experienced rapid westernization through the 'White Revolution,' which brought modernization and cultural freedom, especially in major cities. However, this period was marked by dissatisfaction due to oppression, corruption, and the influence of Western powers, particularly the U.S. and the UK. This discontent culminated in the Islamic Revolution, which overthrew the monarchy and established an anti-Western mindset. The new regime, led by hardline conservatives, cracked down on perceived enemies of the state, and freedom of expression saw little improvement. The ruling class changed, but the struggle of the poor and middle class remained. Despite this, younger generations, influenced by the internet, are pushing for more freedom, and some expect significant social changes in the coming decade.
🏫 Education in Iran: From Modernization to Religious Resurgence
The second paragraph focuses on the evolution of education in Iran. Before the revolution, the Shah's government modernized the education system, moving away from a religious focus to secular education that prepared students for various jobs and scientific fields. Despite this, many families preferred not to send their children to these modern schools. After the Islamic Revolution, the new government reintegrated religion into education, removed secular aspects, and enforced strict Islamic codes in schools. This led to a significant increase in attendance and literacy rates, with a notable improvement in female education. However, women's access to higher education has been restricted, and their rights in education have fluctuated over time.
👥 Women's Rights in Iran: From Restricted to Repressed
The third paragraph delves into the history of women's rights in Iran, which have been heavily influenced by the form of government. Before the Pahlavi dynasty, women were isolated with limited economic opportunities. The Shah's reforms brought significant changes, including voting rights and improved legal status. However, the Islamic Revolution reversed these gains, reintroducing strict dress codes and limiting women's participation in society. Despite some rights being retained, such as driving and voting, women face severe restrictions and legal inequalities. The recent wave of protests, sparked by the death of Mahsa Amini, indicates a potential shift towards change.
💹 Iran's Economy: From Oil Dependency to Diversification
The fourth paragraph examines Iran's economic journey. The economy was a significant factor leading to the Islamic Revolution, with oil wealth unevenly distributed and a focus on urban development that left rural areas behind. Post-revolution, Iran shifted to a more populist approach, expanding infrastructure and services to rural areas, which reduced poverty. The economy diversified, with services and industry growing in importance, though oil remains a critical source of foreign exchange. Despite economic growth, the value of Iran's currency has declined, and high unemployment rates among educated youth suggest deeper issues with the economic model.
🏛️ Politics in Iran: From Monarchy to Islamic Republic
The fifth paragraph outlines the political changes in Iran. Before the Islamic Revolution, Iran was a constitutional monarchy with a parliamentary system. The Shah was the head of state, and the Prime Minister headed the government. After the revolution, Iran adopted a new constitution, establishing the Islamic Republic with a unique political system that includes a parliament, presidency, and a supreme leader who has extensive powers. The Guardian Council oversees the legal and electoral processes. Despite these democratic institutions, the supreme leader holds ultimate authority, and the president's power is limited. This system has resulted in low rankings for Iran in global democracy indexes.
Mindmap
Keywords
💡Islamic Revolution
💡White Revolution
💡Shah
💡SAVAK
💡Mandatory Hijab
💡Literacy Rate
💡Economic Sanctions
💡Supreme Leader
💡Guardian Council
💡Unemployment
💡Honor Killings
Highlights
Iran underwent rapid westernization before the Islamic revolution, with a cosmopolitan lifestyle and cultural freedoms due to the Shah's White Revolution.
The White Revolution was met with resistance as many opposed the Shah's autocratic rule, leading to widespread repression by the Savak secret police.
Post-revolution, Iran adopted an anti-Western stance, with conservative Islamic ideology dominating politics and society, including strict enforcement of Sharia law.
The moral police became a powerful force, controlling public behavior and enforcing dress codes, particularly targeting women’s clothing and conduct.
Despite the Islamic revolution, social class inequality in Iran remains, with a new ruling elite flaunting wealth, similar to the pre-revolution elite.
Education before the revolution was secular and aimed at modernizing Iran, but post-revolution, religious ideology took over the education system, segregating boys and girls.
Literacy rates have improved significantly since the revolution, with female literacy rising from 36.5% in the 1970s to 86% by 2016.
Women’s participation in higher education surged after the revolution, with over 60% of university students being female by 2016.
Post-revolution, women’s rights were severely restricted, including mandatory hijab laws, limitations on voting rights, and reduced inheritance compared to men.
The killing of Masa Amini in 2022 ignited large-scale women-led protests, marking a potential turning point in Iran’s social and political landscape.
The Islamic revolution shifted Iran’s economy from an elite-centered, urban-focused model to a more rural populist approach, improving infrastructure and poverty rates in rural areas.
Despite diversification in sectors like services, industry, and agriculture, Iran’s economy still struggles due to heavy state control, sanctions, and limited private investment.
Iran’s currency has devalued significantly since the revolution, with one US dollar equaling 42,456 Iranian rials in 2022.
The Islamic Republic’s political system is unique, combining elements of a republic with a supreme religious leader who holds ultimate power over the country’s affairs.
Iran’s Supreme Leader, appointed for life, controls all key areas of government, overshadowing the president and other democratic institutions.
Transcripts
once a little piece of the West inside
the Middle East Iran has suffered some
of the most significant changes for a
country in recent history this is Iran
before and after the Islamic revolution
culture before the Islamic revolution
Iran was a very different world the
country underwent an aggressive
modernization program called the white
Revolution which led to Rapid
westernization in this period citizens
could enjoy some degree of cultural
Freedom mainly because of Western
influence women and men mixed freely
there was a Cosmopolitan lifestyle in
the main cities world was in awe of
Iran's rapid development however not
everyone was satisfied with the white
Revolution it was imposed any group that
disagreed with the Shah which means king
in Persian could be oppressed tortured
and even killed by the Savox secret
police general unhappiness was growing
with the regime's luxuries corruption
and Jet Set lifestyle there were also
Rising concerns about Western powers
influence on Iran's government mainly
the U.S and the UK all this led to
social anti-government demonstrations
that when met with brutal repression
quickly escalated into the Islamic
revolution right after the Revolution
and successfully overthrowing the
monarchy the country adopted an
anti-western mindset for the past 40
years Hardline political and religious
conservatives have grown paranoid of
Western influence and as a result have
cracked down on people they perceive to
be enemies of the state the Sharia is
the law that dictates the code of
conduct under a conservative Islamic
ideology even the moral police patrol
the streets enforcing Islamic codes of
dress and behavior in many ways freedom
of expression has hardly improved in
fact the overall feeling is that class
character in Iranian Society has
remained unchanged with one ruling class
replaced by another nowadays instead of
the Shah's ruling class the sons of the
revolution's leaders and the business
class that works within the regime's
rules flaunt their wealth by driving
luxury sports cars around Tehran and
posting on social media about their Jet
Set lifestyle in contrast the poor and
the middle class still struggle to
survive nevertheless younger Generations
constantly aim for more freedom mainly
thanks to the internet and many experts
including less conservative clerics
expect drastic social changes in the
next 10 years for Education before the
Revolution when the Shah was in power
schools in Iran began to modernize their
ways of teaching moving away from the
religious Focus the government chose
secular education in which students
would learn skills applicable to jobs
and Science teaching and management
despite the Shah's efforts to offer a
mandatory westernized education many
families would not send their children
to these modern public schools which
were inspired by the French system this
new education system was a mix between
modernization and nationalism as it
glorified elements from the pre-islamic
Persian culture during this era many
Institutes of higher education were
established while the Shah encouraged
women to attend higher education there
was a division among intellectuals and
they ultimately decided that they would
let women attend only to learn all
things related to the household
according to the World Bank and the
statistical Center of Iran in the late
1970s before the Revolution there was a
36.5 percent literacy rate with a 23.4
percent gender gap more than 60 percent
of women were illiterate and the female
enrollment rate in tertiary education
was only four percent since the Islamic
revolution the government brought
religion back to all schools removing
the secular aspect that the Shah imposed
and it was immediately involved in three
major efforts
urging courses and textbooks believed to
slander Islam removing teachers to
ensure that only those who were not
secular remained at the schools
regulating the behavior and dress of
students this resulted in boys and girls
being separated in different
institutions girls being forced to wear
hijabs and most of the westernized
education being scrapped out of the
curriculum attendance in schools grew
considerably and the government
redirected the Shah's previous efforts
to educate rural areas now under a
completely different ideology as a
result in the past 40 years education
and literacy rates have improved
dramatically by 2016. there was an 86
percent literacy rate gender gap was
reduced to nine percent less than 15
percent of women were illiterate and the
female enrollment rate in tertiary
education was over 66 percent nowadays
more than 60 percent of University
students are female and the urban rural
Gap in literacy went from 35 percent
before the Revolution to only 12 percent
even though the Improvement for women
has been more significant than for men
women's education is far from being an
easy Road the policies toward the
education of women have experienced many
changes since the Islamic revolution for
example right after it happened in the
subsequent Islamic cultural revolution
which consisted of the complete opposite
of the white Revolution women were
barred from most study fields and were
only allowed to study 91 out of 169
available Majors still after Iran's war
with Iraq in the late 1980s educated
women were needed to rebuild the country
and all restrictions were lifted and
finally since 2005 women's access to
academic majors has been limited once
again and the government basically
allows each University to impose its own
restrictions based on gender this topic
inevitably leads us to the most
controversial aspect of the Islamic
revolution women's rights historically
in Iran women's rights have been
severely restricted compared to those in
most developed Nations they change
according to the form of government
ruling the country and mandates for
women's rights have affected a broad
range of issues from dress codes to
voting rights for many centuries women
were isolated they weren't engaged in
politics and their economic contribution
was limited to household work those who
worked in textiles during this period
earned an average of one-third of what
men did and it was still possible for
Rural girls to be sold by the heads of
their families these conditions changed
during the palavi dynasty that ruled the
country from 1925 till the Islamic
revolution in 1979 the Shah introduced
many reforms concerning women's rights
in this period one example of an early
reform the Kashif or the forced
unveiling of women introduced in 1936
as the name suggests it involved the
Police pulling the hijab away even from
religious women what's more inspired by
the westernization that was taking place
in turkey at that time the Shah
increased women's participation in the
economy and society as literacy levels
improved women began to acquire high
official positions such as ministers and
judges While others emerged as artists
scientists and athletes in 1963 the Shah
granted women voting rights in 1967 the
Iranian family law was reformed
improving the position of women in
Iranian Society it allowed a wife to
initiate divorce and required the first
wife's permission for a husband to take
a second wife it also raised the minimum
age at which a female could marry from
13 to 15 in 1967 and 18 in 1975. all
these efforts were established through
the Shah's wishes for Iran to become a
more modern european-style country
however after the Islamic revolution
these freedoms were retracted even when
women were crucial to its success since
1979 women's rights have been restricted
through several laws such as the
introduction of mandatory hijab and a
public dress code by 2022 only 5.59
percent of members of the parliament are
women today they're allowed to drive
hold public office attend University and
to vote but when in public all hair and
skin except the face and hands must be
covered and not wearing a hijab in
public can be punished by law according
to the Sharia law women inherit half of
what a man would and compensation for
the death of a woman is half as well
also most areas of the country are
segregated by sex meaning that males are
prohibited of viewing females and age of
consent laws do not exist as all sexual
activity outside marriage is illegal
women are also banned from dancing with
anyone different from their family and
even to sing in public most of the
rights provided under the white
Revolution have been taken away
including the family protect laws
Banning contraception and lowering the
minimum marriage age to 13 and even 9 in
some cases Iran ranks 125 out of 170
countries in the women peace and
security index in 2020 it held the world
record in domestic violence against
women and in 2019 a state-run newspaper
revealed that an average 375 to 450
honor killings are recorded in Iran each
year situation is tense mainly because
the Islamic system being widely
patriarchal has proven unable to protect
women in September 2022 a new wave of
women-led anti-government protests
erupted in the country after the killing
of Masa amini who was beaten up by the
police for not wearing her hijab
correctly and died three days later
because of her injuries by the time of
making this video many experts suggest
that this may Mark the birth of a new
and long-awaited revolution
economy the economy was one of the main
factors that ignited the Islamic
revolution unequal distribution of oil
wealth in the 1970s harmed the Iranian
middle class and Rural poor while
benefiting the elite in addition the
white Revolution mainly focused on the
cities worsening the gap between rural
and urban areas in the 1970s the poverty
rate was around 25 percent and Iran's
nominal GDP in 1979 was around 90.32
billion dollars in this decade over 90
percent of Iran's GDP depended on oil
and gas and given that Iran's top
trading partners were Japan the United
States Germany France and the UK Iran's
currency was strong as an example in
March 1978 one U.S dollar was equal to
71.46 Rials on the other hand After the
Revolution Iran has indeed experienced
progress the shift from Shah's pro-urban
elite-centered policies to a pro-roll
populist approach included expanding
infrastructure and essential services
such as electricity and clean water to
the countryside as a result the poverty
rate dropped less than 10 percent in
2014 and by 2021 Iran's nominal GDP was
over 231 billion dollars Iran's economy
has become more Diversified as well
according to the central bank in 2022
the country's GDP is composed of 50
Services 32 percent of industry and
Mining 13 of Agriculture and only five
percent of oil however despite its small
size oil remains a critical source of
Foreign Exchange and government revenue
the anti-western mindset can be
evidenced in the impact on Iran's top
commercial allies in 2019 its top
trading partners were China the United
Arab Emirates India turkey and Brazil
even though the economy has managed to
grow Iran's currency has plummeted since
the revolution in June 2022 for example
one US dollar was equal to 42
456 Iranian reals of course we can't
ignore the U.S sanctions however
according to tehran's alame tabatabai
University economists only 15 percent of
Iran's economic problems can be
attributed to them experts suggest that
state domination of the commanding areas
of the economy such as the oil and gas
sectors large Industries and the banking
system discourages private Investments
affecting the country's performance even
though the gap between urban and rural
areas has closed significantly there's a
strong public perception of high-income
inequality that along with the country's
incapacity to absorb the hundreds of
thousands of University graduates has
produced a middle-class poor social
class moreover according to the 2016
census for men and women between 25 and
29. unemployment rates are at 34.6
percent and 45.7 percent respected high
unemployment rates for educated youth
suggest deeper problems with the Islamic
Republic's economic growth model
politics from a political point of view
Iran can be considered one of the most
bizarre countries in the world today the
Islamic Republic's political system is
thought of as a religious tyranny or
malacy Iran was an absolute monarchy
with a centuries-long history before
1906. then from 1906 to 1979 it became a
constitutional monarchy with a
parliamentary system under the 1906
Persian Constitution the first in Iran's
history the Shah was the head of the
state while the Prime Minister was the
head of the government in 1953 amid a
power struggle between Muhammad Reza
Shah and prime minister Muhammad musadek
the CIA and MI6 orchestrated a coup
against mosadev's government reinstating
the Shah who ruled tightly with the
support of the U.S and the UK after the
Islamic revolution the people of Iran
adopted a new Constitution that
established the Islamic Republic of Iran
and officially ended the monarchy in
this new political system Iran adopted a
parliament and modern political
institutions like the presidency and a
constitution just like any other
Democratic Republic still on the other
hand it also established a supreme
leader an omnipotent figure who controls
everything in the country the economy
the Armed Forces environment foreign
policy education National planning
intelligence defense and even the
multi-billion dollar government account
the supreme leader is appointed by the
Assembly of experts which consists of 80
to 90 members elected by popular vote
who review the Supreme Leader's
performance to decide whether to extend
or cancel his term though the funny
thing is it has been deemed illegal to
supervise the activities of the supreme
leader then comes the guardian Council
composed of 12 members six experts on
islamist theology chosen by the Supreme
Leader and six experts on constitutional
law who must approve the laws consented
by the parliament monitor elections and
review candidates for elected offices
including the president unlike other
countries the president isn't the
leading power figure in fact even if he
wins the elections he still needs to
gain the Supreme Leader's approval
before being sworn in this political
system may explain why Iran scored lower
than Saudi Arabia in the 2021 democracy
index that's everything for today we'll
see you in the next video and don't
forget to stay curious
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