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The Iranian Revolution

Student Name

Instructor

Institution

Date
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The Iranian Revolution

Question One

The Shah came into power after getting backup from the United States coup in 1953. The

Western powers saw Iraq as a reliable partner, especially due to the presence of large oil deposits

in it and the strategic location at the crossroads of the Middle East, South, and Central Asia. A

mutual relationship existed between Iraq and the West such that the West could provide them

with the weapons of war while Iraq would, in turn, supply the West with oil and serve as a

military base.

The Shah's rule became increasingly unpopular in the late 1970s, bringing tension

between the two countries. The regime faced continuous widespread protest and unrest and

eventually brought its downfall in the Iranian Revolution of 1979 (Yungblyud & Vorobyova,

2019). The downfall demonstrated a limitation in the relationship between them and the West.

Question Two

The non-governmental organizations played an important role in the Iranian Revolution.

For instance, a journalist helped broadcast. They would carry out secretive investigations to

reveal the deep secrets that were going on behind bars.

The religious group also had an active role in the revelation. They felt that the form of

oppression the Shah regime was exercising was directly opposite to the doctrinal statutes of the

faith (Goldberg, 2019). Since most of the population were Muslims, they could mobilize the

citizens to revolt against that regime. Activists were another group of citizens who operated

outside the political structure of Shah's regime. They used their resources and network to spread

their message and organize their supporters. These groups combined had a strong influence that

the government could not withstand.

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Question Three

The green movement was not a part of the Arab Spring. Although some historical

documents note that they share some similarities, it is more evident that their origin, goals, and

outcomes were far much different. The emergence of the green belt political movement in 2009

was in response to the president's disputed re-election (Aras & Oztig 2021). They demanded

greater political and social freedom. They felt that the Islamic Republic's political system had

been infringed on.

In contrast, the Arab Spring was a chain of protests in the Middle East and Northern

Africa in 2010. The protests were fueled by social, political, and economic unrest, forcing them

to call for greater transparency in democracy and freedom in human rights. It is now clear that

the Green Belt movement focused on the Iranian government while the Arab Spring occupied a

broader region.

The Philippine Revolution

Question One

One of the reasons that President Marcos offered for the declaration of Martial law was

the communist insurgency. Bukit (2021) notes that there were armed rebellions that the president

observed and was likely to cause a revolt and serious violence if they were not checked. The

government was determined to stand against these forms of rebellious reprisals since it believed

they were getting funded by foreign countries.

The other reason for martial law was the increasing social unrest which paused a threat to

national security. Constant violence in the country was also named as part of the reason for the

imposition of the law. According to Juego (2022), Marcos used the resources and state powers

that concentrated on him to suppress the rebellious opposition and impose censorship on
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countries purported to offer military assistance to the rebellious groups. He implemented

economic growth and promoted development.

Question Two

I think unity was the important factor that propelled the success of the Philippine

Revolution. The Catholic church's labor union, students, and faithful congregants. The peaceful,

non-violent tactic helped them to escape any violent response from the government.

Media houses broadcasted the news to the point that the nation's situation captured the

international community's attention and prompted them to offer international support. The United

States, particularly played an important role in aiding the Philippines to undergo its revolution.

Social and economic factors also had a place in the whole equation.
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References

Aras, B., & Oztig, L. I. (2021). Has the Arab Spring spread to the Caucasus and Central Asia?

Explaining regional diffusion and authoritarian resistance. Journal of Balkan and Near

Eastern Studies, 23(3), 516-532.

Goldberg, J. (2019). Saudi Arabia and the Iranian Revolution: the religious dimension. In The

Iranian Revolution and the Muslim World (pp. 155-170). Routledge.

Juego, B. (2022). On Martial Law at 50: Fact-Checking the Marcos Story, Countering the EDSA

History.

Bukit, M. (2021). Bangsamoro separatism and classical counterinsurgency: reconsidering

revolutionary war in the Southern Philippines. Studies in Conflict & Terrorism, 1-29.

Yungblyud, V., & Vorobyova, T. (2019). The United States Are Losing an Ally in the Middle

East: J. Carter's Administration Policy towards Iran, 1977—1980. ISTORIYA, (3 (77)).