What Happened and Why?
In order to understand the current hostile relationship between the
United States and Iran, we need to look back into the past and determine
the context for today's tension. Were these two countries always
enemies? What went wrong? Access
http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/pages/frontline/shows/tehran/etc/cron.html
or look at your handouts of this chronology. Discuss the following
questions with your group and record your group's consensus:
- Examine the years 1906-1941 on your timeline. Describe Iran's
government during these first few decades of the 20th century.
(Note: the title "shah" was used for the monarch of Iran.)
Characterize the relationship between Iran and the West during this
time period and explain each side's views and motivation.
- Examine the years 1951-1953 on your timeline. What does it mean
to "nationalize" an industry? How did Western powers react to Prime
Minister Mossadeq's efforts to nationalize Iran's oil?
Characterize the relationship between Iran and the West during this
time period and explain each side's views and motivation.
Think within the Cold War context of the 1950s. Why would the United
States have been particularly interested in Iran's stability?
How do you think the Iranian people reacted to the installation of
the Shah of Iran by the West?
- Examine the years between 1953 and 1983. Select "moments" that
you and your group believe are important in order to explain Iran's
resentment of the United States. On the chart below, explain how
these "moments" contributed to Iranian hostility.
- Examine the years between 1953 and 1983. Select "moments" that
you and your group believe are important in order to explain the
United States' view of Iran. On the chart explain how these
"moments" contributed to U.S. hostility.
Iran's position |
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- What other factors would you identify as having contributed to
the bad relations between Iran and the United States in the last 25
years? Explain your reasoning.