Iranian Revolution, Shah’s Exit, and Global Terror
- Ifat Gutmans
- Aug 27
- 5 min read
Updated: Sep 2
Grades: 10–12
Duration of Video 1: 14 minutes, 55 seconds
Duration of Video 2: 1 Minute, 11 seconds
Duration of Video 3: 3 Minutes, 4 seconds
Themes:
Modernization vs. Religious Extremism
The Shah’s Departure and Loss of Stability
Rise of Theocratic Regime and Suppression of Freedoms
Iran’s Role in Supporting Regional Extremism
Connections to the Palestinian Intifada and Global Terror Networks
Impact on Middle Eastern and World Security
Description:
This lesson explores the political and social upheaval that led to the 1979 Iranian Revolution and the Shah's exit from power. It discusses the Shah’s modernization efforts, which were overturned by the revolution, and how the resulting hardline Islamist regime reshaped the Middle East and the world. The lesson highlights Iran's role in supporting extremist groups and fueling regional instability, touching on the Palestinian Intifada and global terrorism.
Videos:
Video 1 entitled: Life in IRAN Before and After The Islamic Revolution (14:55)
Video 2 entitled: 46 Years Later How Iran’s Revolution Still Fuels Terror (1:11)
Video 3 entitled: What Is Iran's Ultimate Goal In The Middle East? (3:14)
Total Class Duration: 75-90 min (Adjust based on school period lengths)
LESSON PLAN:
🎯 OBJECTIVE (SWBAT):
Set the stage for the lesson by discussing the Shah’s vision for a modern Iran and how his downfall led to global ramifications.
LESSON ACTIVITIES:
1. Introduction (10 min)
Warm-Up Discussion (5 min):
Ask students: "What is a revolution, and can you think of examples of revolutions that had both positive and negative outcomes?"
Write responses on the board to show the complexity of revolutions.
Brief Overview of the Shah’s Vision and Warnings (5 min):
Present a short overview of the Shah’s modernization plan (e.g., economic reforms, industrialization, women’s rights advancements).
Discuss how the Shah warned that his removal could lead to instability and extremist ideologies.
Key Questions for Discussion:
Why did the Shah believe that his modernization efforts were essential for Iran’s future?
How did these reforms create both hope and tension in Iranian society?
2. Pre-Video Reflection (5 min)
Objective: Engage students with pre-video reflection questions to stimulate critical thinking.
Reflection Prompt:
"What do you think life was like in Iran before the 1979 revolution? How do you think the Shah’s modernization efforts were perceived by different groups within Iran?"
Ask students to jot down their thoughts or discuss briefly in pairs.
Watch Video 1: The White Revolution – Iran’s Modernization Before 1979 (15 min)
During Video (Take Notes):
Students should take notes on key points from the video, particularly about the White Revolution's modernization efforts and the Shah’s vision for Iran’s future.
Post-Video Discussion (10 min):
Discussion Questions:
How did the White Revolution change Iran economically, politically, and socially?
What were some of the benefits of the Shah’s modernization efforts?
Why were some people not happy with the white revolution?
What was the result of that unhappiness?
Discuss the complexity of modernization efforts and how they can lead to unintended consequences (e.g., alienation of certain groups).
4. Collaborative Group Work (15 min)
Objective: Allow students to explore different aspects of the Iranian Revolution and its aftermath in small groups, fostering collaboration and deeper analysis.
Instructions:
Divide students into 4 groups. Assign each group a topic related to the revolution and its aftermath. Each group will present their findings later.
Group Topics:
How did the Shah’s efforts contribute to economic and social changes?
What were the immediate impacts on the Iranian people and society?
Activity: Groups will have 10 minutes to research (using resources provided) and create a brief presentation (3–5 minutes) summarizing their findings.
5. Watch Video 2: The 1979 Iranian Revolution & Rise of Extremism (1 min 10 sec)
Video Summary: This brief video highlights the key moments of the 1979 Iranian Revolution and the rise of religious extremism.
Post-Video Reflection (5 min):
Reflection Questions:
The Iranian Revolution (1979): What were the key causes of the revolution? How did the fall of the Shah create a vacuum for extremism?
Rise of the Theocratic Regime: How did the rise of Khomeini and the new regime change the political and social landscape of Iran?
Impact on the Middle East and Global Terrorism: How did the revolution and the rise of Iran’s theocratic regime influence regional instability, including the Palestinian Intifada and global terrorism?
6. Watch Video 3: Iran’s Role in Regional Extremism & the Intifada (8 min)
During Video (Take Notes):
Students should focus on Iran’s role in exporting extremist ideology and how it influenced regional conflicts, particularly the Palestinian Intifada.
Post-Video Discussion (10 min):
Discussion Questions:
How did Iran support groups involved in regional conflicts and global terrorism?
In what ways did the Iranian Revolution contribute to instability in neighboring countries?
What is the relationship between Iran’s regime and global terrorism today?
How does the Intifada and other uprisings connect to Iran’s policies after the revolution?
7. Post-Video Reflection and Independent Work (15–20 min)
Objective: Have students reflect independently on the videos and write a detailed response, drawing connections between the revolution and global terrorism.
Reflection Writing Prompt:
"Was the Iranian Revolution constructive or destructive for Iran and the world? Consider both the immediate and long-term consequences of the revolution in your answer."
Students will write for 10-15 minutes individually, synthesizing information from the videos and group discussions.
Independent Work Share-Out (5 min):
After completing their reflection writing, ask students to share their reflections with a partner or in small groups.
8. Group Share-Out & Class Discussion (15–20 min)
Objective: Synthesize group insights and foster a class-wide discussion on the revolution’s global impact.
Group Share-Out:
Each group will present their findings to the class, summarizing their topic and the key insights from their discussion.
Class Discussion:
After each group presents, facilitate a class-wide discussion by asking follow-up questions:
How did the different aspects of the revolution intersect (e.g., modernization, extremism, regional conflict)?
What did students learn from the perspectives of each group, and how do these perspectives shape their understanding of the Iranian Revolution’s global consequences?
How do modern global conflicts reflect the ideological battles that began with the 1979 revolution?
9. Conclusion and Exit Ticket (5 min)
Objective: Wrap up the lesson and assess student learning.
Exit Ticket Question:
"Based on today’s lesson, what do you think was the most significant impact of the Iranian Revolution on the Middle East and the world? Why?"
10. Recommended Independent and Group Readings (Optional for Further Study):
Septembers of Shiraz by Dalia Sofer
Lion Women of Tehran by Marjan Kamali
From Miniskirt to Hijab: A Girl in Revolutionary Iran by Jaqueline Saber
