The National Revolutions of Iran

The national revolutions of Iran (1979), and Russia (1917), were both major revolutions that had both similarities and differences in their causes that lead to great comparisons. In economic, social, and political aspects, there is much to be explored; between leaders, class orders, economic struggles, and basic motives for revolution, the lines between the revolutions are both blurred and distinct in many different ways. Both Tsar Nicholas II of Russia, and Shah Mohammed Reza Pahlavi of Iran were causes of the overthrowing of each of their governments, whether it be their involvement or lack thereof that would have the greatest impact on the starts of revolutionary movement. In a different sense, economic standings had a more direct involvement in revolution in both nations; as majorities slipped into poverty, populations became more and more hostile, tensions thus building. Though evidence shows great common threads between the Iranian Revolution and the Russian Revolution, decisive contrasts are apparent in the most basic of reasons for revolution; this would be of the nature and the goals of revolution. In Iran, the goal was to overthrow the government for theological reasons, whereas Russia's revolution ruminates over ideological motives. Overall, causes of the revolutions of Russia and Iran can be narrowed to weak or dysfunctional leaders unable to please the population, economic distress, and a difference in nature of revolution.

Tsar Nicholas II, monarch of Russia, and Shah Mohammed Reza Pahlavi, king of Iran, were both leaders at the time of revolution in their nations, and were both direct causes of their revolutions. As dysfunctional leaders who were not very much in touch with the people of their states, their inability to provide for the political demands of the people, and direct mistakes while in power lead them to become overthrown by revolutionary movements. In the case of the Shah in Iran, his attempts of westernization and secularization were not welcomed in any sense by the people whatsoever. As a primarily Islamic nation, many of the Shah's attempts to reform political, social, and economic aspects were opposed by most Iranians since they were often contrary to the Islamic belief of what is right and wrong in a government. (Spielvogel) Despite the fact that the Shah was beholden in some ways to the backing of the United States, which encouraged him to continue with such democratic-like reforms, the Shah was consistently opposed by his people and did little to please them. For Iran, a revolution was inevitable once such conflict between the government and the theology of the people emerged. In Russia, Tsar Nicholas II made several mistakes that lead to national humiliation and a displeased population.The first of these was the Russian loss of the Russo-Japanese War in 1905; this caused a drop in morale and brought humiliation to the entire state. (Spodek) It was the first time that a westernized nation was