Islamic Revolution facts for kids

The Islamic Revolution was a big change that happened in Iran in 1979. Iran is a country where most people are Muslim. Before the revolution, Iran was led by a powerful ruler called the Shah, Mohammed Reza Pahlavi. He wanted Iran to be more like Western countries, with less focus on religious laws in government.

However, many people, especially those who followed Islamist ideas, did not agree with the Shah's policies. They wanted a government that followed Islamic principles more closely. Supporters of Ayatollah Khomeini started to protest against the Shah's rule.

Ayatollah Khomeini became the new leader of Iran after the revolution. In a public vote, 98.2% of Iranians voted to create the Islamic Republic of Iran. This meant changing from a monarchy (where a king or queen rules) to a republic based on religious laws. Some countries in the West still say this new republic is authoritarian.

Soon after the revolution, Iraq, led by Saddam Hussein, started a war with Iran. This war, known as the Iran-Iraq War, lasted until 1988. Neither side truly won, and it caused a lot of damage.

What Happened After the Revolution?

The Islamic Revolution had a huge impact on Iran and its people. Many Iranians had to leave their homes and move to other countries during this time.

Human Cost of the Revolution

The revolution and the war that followed led to many deaths. It is thought that between 3,000 and 60,000 Iranians died during the protests against the Shah and the war with Iraq. Also, around 8,000 people were executed by the new government's courts.

The Hostage Crisis

During the revolution, 52 Americans were taken hostage. They were seized from the U.S. Embassy in Iran. This event caused a lot of tension between Iran and the United States.

Related pages

• Russian Revolution

Images for kids

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  Mohammad Reza Shah Pahlavi official coronation photo 1967

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  Ayatollah Sayyid Ruhollah Musavi Khomeini (revolutionary leader).

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  People of Tehran in the demonstrations of 5 June 1963 with pictures of Ruhollah Khomeini in their hands

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  The Shah of Iran (left) meeting with members of the U.S. government: Alfred Atherton, William Sullivan, Cyrus Vance, Jimmy Carter, and Zbigniew Brzezinski, 1977

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  Demonstration of 8 September 1978. The placard reads, "We want an Islamic government, led by Imam Khomeini".

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  Demonstration of "Black Friday" (8 September 1978)

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  Ayatollah Khomeini in Neauphle-le-Château surrounded by journalists

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  Mohammad Beheshti in the Tehran Ashura demonstration, 11 December 1978

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  "The Shah is Gone" —headline of Iranian newspaper Ettela'at, 16 January 1979, when the last monarch of Iran left the country.

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  A protester giving flowers to an army officer

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  Shah and his wife, Shahbanu Farah leaving Iran on 16 January 1979

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  Cartoon depicting Shapour Bakhtiar and Mosaddegh on 22 January 1978 issue of Ettela'at, during the revolution

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  Iranian prime minister Mehdi Bazargan was an advocate of democracy and civil rights. He also opposed the cultural revolution and US embassy takeover.

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  Iranian armed rebels during the revolution

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  Khomeini told questioners that "the religious dignitaries do not want to rule."

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  A revolutionary firing squad in 1979

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  Kazem Shariatmadari and Khomeini

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  Banisadr in 1980

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  People celebrating anniversary of the revolution in Mashhad in 2014.

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  An injured revolutionary during protests against Pahlavi regime.

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  Protests in summer 1978.

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  Current Iranian leader, Ali Khamenei in a Revolutionary protest in Mashhad.

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  Shah visiting Bakhtiar cabinet before his exit from Iran.

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  People celebrating Shah's exit from the country.

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  Removal of Shah's statue by the people in University of Tehran.

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  Khomeini at Mehrabad Airport.

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  People accompanying Khomeini from Mehrabad to Behesht Zahra.

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  Khomeini in Behesht Zahra.

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  Khomeini before a speech at Alavi school.

See also

In Spanish: Revolución iraní para niños