Final answer:
The Shah's removal from power was a series of events beginning with his oppressive rule leading to public dissent, which found its leader in Ayatollah Khomeini. As public strikes and protests escalated, Shah fled the country, and Ayatollah Khomeini returned, steering Iran to become an Islamic republic.
Step-by-step explanation:
The series of events that led to Shah's removal from power began with the shaping of the negative public sentiment toward his reign. A lot of dissent was fueled by his oppressive tactics through his dreaded secret police force and his rapid efforts to westernize Iran, which upset the traditional and religious citizens.
The dissent found its leader in the exiled Ayatollah Ruhollah Khomeini, who, despite being outside the country, continued to influence the masses through tape-recorded messages. The public uproar against Shah escalated, with Khomeini encouraging the people to go on strikes and resist taxation.
Amidst widespread protest and strikes, the Shah fled the country on January 16, 1979, and the Ayatollah Khomeini returned two weeks later to a grand welcome. The prime minister appointed by Shah was replaced by Mehdi Bazargan, selected by Khomeini. Later that year, Iran adopted a new constitution, making it an Islamic republic, thus marking the end of the Shah's era.
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