Empire: World History 121. The Fall of the Shah of Shahs
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Feb 8, 2024 
In this engaging discussion, Ali Ansari, a Professor of Iranian Studies at the University of St Andrews, shares insights on the Iranian Revolution and the Shah's downfall. He highlights the Shah's authoritarian measures and the impact of Khomeini's rise in popularity. Ansari reveals the complex socio-economic dynamics that fueled public protests and the challenges Khomeini faced in establishing power. The conversation also touches on the lasting implications of the revolution, including the formation of the Islamic Republic and its effects on both regional geopolitics and the Iranian diaspora.
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Khomeini's Appeal
- Khomeini's austere image contrasted with his appeal, which lay in his clarity and decisiveness.
- He offered simple solutions in a time of bewildering modernization, seen by some as Westernization.
Resentment Towards Americans
- Working-class Iranians resented immigrant labor more than Americans; middle-class Iranians felt Americans were taking jobs they expected to fill.
- Western workers in the 60s and 70s were seen as solely interested in profit, unlike earlier Orientalists and diplomats.
Khomeini's Followers
- Khomeini appealed to both intellectuals and bazaar workers, offering a mix of Islamic and Marxist rhetoric.
- Many followers were scientists and engineers drawn to his clarity and decisiveness.