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FHS AP Comparative Government > Iran > Flashcards

Iran Flashcards

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1
Q

Ayatollah

A

Literally “sign of God.” A high ranking cleric in Iran.

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2
Q

Theocracy

A

A state dominated by the clergy, who rule on the grounds that they are the only interpreters of God’s will and law.

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3
Q

Majles

A

The Iranian parliament, from the Arabic term for “assembly.”

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4
Q

Guardian Council

A

Committee created in the Iranian constitution to oversee the Iranian parliament.

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5
Q

Supreme Leader

A

A cleric that leads the Islamic Republic of Iran.

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6
Q

Population

A

80 million

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7
Q

Geography

A

Slightly larger than Alaska. Most land is not suitable for growing crops. 80% of the population lives on 27% of the land. 70% live in urban areas.

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8
Q

Resources

A

Oil (4th largest producer in the world).

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9
Q

National Language

A

Persian (Farsi)

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10
Q

Five Pillars of Islam

A

1) there is Only one God, and Muhammad is His Prophet
2) Give to charity
3) Pray every day facing Mecca
4) Make a pilgrimage to Mecca at least once
5) Fast during daytime in the month of Ramadan

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11
Q

Mecca

A

Place where Muhammad is believed to have built the first place of worship. (modern day Saudi Arabia)

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12
Q

Two branches if Islam

A

Sunni and Shia

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13
Q

Main difference between Sunnis and Shiites

A

The person each branch considers the rightful heir of Muhammad.

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13
Q

Main difference between Sunnis and Shiites

A

The person each branch considers the rightful heir of Muhammad. Shias believe it is Muhammad’s son-in-law who then passed his authority to his direct male heirs, the 12th of whom will herald the end of the world. In the absence of the 12th Imam, Shias believe interpretation of Sharia Law should be in the hands of senior clerics, the Ayatollahs.

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14
Q

Branch of Islam that is dominant in Iran

A

Shia

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15
Q

Branch of Islam dominant in the world

A

Sunni (90%)

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16
Q

Influence of Shia beliefs on government

A

Because Shias believe interpretation of Sharia is in the hands of the Ayatollahs in the absence of the 12th Imam, they have historically harbored ambivalent attitudes toward the state.

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17
Q

Safavid Dynasty

A

1501-1722 Conquered the territory and forced conversion to Shia. Minorities were tolerated because they were People of the Book but had to pay special taxes.

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18
Q

People of the Book

A

Muslim term for recognized religious minorities such as Christians, Jews, and Zoroastrians.

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19
Q

Qur’an

A

Book of the sacred text of revelations made to Muhammad by Allah.

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20
Q

Civil War

A

1722-1794 Afghan tribesman invaded the capital and touched off a half century of civil wars.

21
Q

Qajars

A

1794-1925 Turkic speaking Shia tribe that conquered much of Iran and became a monarchy (Shah instead of a King). Moved the capital to Tehran, recreated Safavid system of central administration, and declared Shia the state religion. But since they could not claim genealogical links to the Twelve Imams, clerical leaders could claim to be the main interpreters of Islam.

22
Q

Revolution of 1905-1909

A

Resulted in part from resentment over loss of sovereignty to European imperialism. Russians seized land. British bank won monopoly to print money. Indo-European company controlled telecommunications. Exclusive rights to drill for oil were sold to a Brit.

23
Q

Result of 1905 Revolution

A

Constitution that retained the monarchy but centered political power in the Majles while also introducing separation of powers, freedom of expression, equality before the law, and protection of life and property. Shia declared official religion and clerics continued to interpret Sharia Law.

24
Q

End of the Qajars

A

Continued external pressure, famine after WWI that killed an estimated 10% of the population, and a fractious parliament left Iran in disarray leading to a coup d’etat by Col. Reza Khan.

25
Q

Pahlavis (1925-1979)

A

Col. Khan replaced the cabinet, consolidated power, deposed the Qajars and declared himself Shah-in-Shah (King of Kings), establishing the Pahlavi Dynasty, the first non-tribal dynasty to rule Iran.

26
Q

Iran in WWII

A

British and Soviet troops invaded Iran to pre-empt Nazi Germany. Reza Shah balked at the terms required to get the Allies to withdraw. Fearing reprisal by the Soviets, Reza Shah abdicated and fled. The British wanted to reinstall the heir to the Qajars (who was British), but he didn’t speak Persian. So, they accepted Reza Shah’s son, the Crown Prince.

27
Q

Muhammad Reza Shah

A

Son of Reza Shah who assumed power after his father’s abdication in 1941. Forced to accept a free press, independent judiciary, competitive elections, assertive cabinet ministers, a boisterous parliament, and two increasingly popular political movements: the communist Tudeh Party and the National Front.

28
Q

CIA and British Sponsored Coup

A

1953 – the army overthrew the Prime Minister who was the leader of the Nationalist Party and who had nationalized the British company controlling the petroleum industry in Iran. The Shah was installed with absolute power, intensifying anti-British and anti-American sentiment.

29
Q

White Revolution

A

Effort from above to promote economic and social development in an effort to pre-empt a “Red Revolution” from below led by the communists. Expanded government and military dramatically.

30
Q

Resurgence Party

A

Political party created by the Shah in 1975 making Iran a one party state and threatening imprisonment and exile to anyone who did not join.

31
Q

Ruhollah Khomeini

A

Cleric opposed to the Shah exiled to Iraq. Apolitical in his early life, Khomeini developed a version if Shia populism by incorporating socioeconomic grievances into his sermons while in exile, denouncing both the Shah and the ruling class. Led Iran from 1979 until his death in 1989.

32
Q

Political Islam

A

A term for the intermingling of Islam and politics espoused by Khomeini.

33
Q

Jurist’s Guardianship

A

Khomeini’s concept that the Iranian clergy should rule on the grounds that they are the divinely appointed guardians of both the law and the people.

34
Q

Collapse of the Shah’s Regime 1979

A

Fighting socioeconomic unrest, the Shah faced international condemnation for human right’s abuses, including by the United States. In response, the Shah loosened some government controls on society which opened the flood gates to further protests and the eventual collapse of the regime.

35
Q

Jurist’s Guardianship

A

Khomeini’s concept that Iranian clergy are the divinely appointed guardians of both the law and the people.

36
Q

Assembly of Experts

A

Group that nominates and can remove the Leader, elected by the general population but almost all its members are clerics.

37
Q

Constitution of 1979

A

Drawn up by the Assembly of Experts, vesting almost all power in Khomeini and clerics. Opposed by the Prime Minister who wanted an Islamic Republic with a democratic structure.

38
Q

Hezbollahis

A

Literally “partisans of God.” In Iran, used to describe religious vigilantes.

39
Q

Seizure of U.S. Embassy

A

Prime Minister threatened to propose a different Constitution to the public. Government media tied him to the U.S. government and Khomeini claimed the U.S. Embassy was a den of spies plotting another coup like in 1953. That led to mass demonstrations and the eventual break-in at the embassy.

40
Q

First Decade of the Islamic Republic

A

Charismatic leadership from Khomeini, Irag invaded Iran in 1980 which rallied Iranian patriotism, and government revenue increased dramatically due to an increase in oil prices.

41
Q

Second Decade of Islamic Republic

A

Lack of charismatic leadership after Khomeini’s death, oil prices plummeted, and many of Khomeini’s followers were stressing the importance of democracy over theocracy.

42
Q

Iran after 9/11

A

Relationship between Iran and the U.S. thawed because both saw Iraq and Afghanistan as common enemies. However, continued hard line stances from the U.S. government prevented any meaningful progress in bilateral relations.

43
Q

Political System

A

Mixture of democracy and theocracy headed by a cleric.

44
Q

Regime History

A

Islamic Republic since 1979

45
Q

Administrative Structure

A

Centralized administration. Interior Minister appoints provincial governor-generals.

46
Q

Executive

A

President and cabinet elected by general public to maximum of two terms.

47
Q

Legislature

A

Unicameral directly elected but laws do not become official unless approved by Council of Guardians.

48
Q

Judiciary

A

Chief Judge and Supreme Court independent of the legislature and executive but appointed by the Leader.

49
Q

Party System

A

Multi-party system but the ruling clergy restrict most party and organizational activities.

FHS AP Comparative Government (20 decks)

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