Final answer:
The 1979 Iranian Revolution was a pivotal event that ousted the US-backed Shah and installed Ayatollah Khomeini's Islamic Republic, leading to the nationalization of the oil industry, contributing to a global energy crisis and signaling a major shift away from Western influence in Iran.
Step-by-step explanation:
The 1979 Iranian Revolution marked a significant shift in the political landscape of Iran, leading to the overthrow of the US-backed Shah Mohammad Reza Pahlavi. The revolution was characterized by a wave of anti-Western sentiment, culminating in the establishment of an Islamic Republic under the leadership of Ayatollah Ruhollah Khomeini. This upheaval resulted in not only dramatic changes within Iran, including the nationalization of the oil industry and the end of Western influence but also had a ripple effect on global oil prices and international relations during the period.
Significant for its anti-imperialist stance, the Iranian Revolution saw large-scale protests and strikes, such as the 5,000 protesters in Tehran facing martial law and the armed protesters proclaiming "Long live anti-imperialism and democratic forces." The hostile takeover of the U.S. embassy by Iranian students further strained relation between the United States and Iran. It also contributed to a global energy crisis, as Iranian oil shipments to the U.S. were halted, and oil prices experienced a substantial increase, influencing both the economy and political sentiment at the time.
This transformative period for Iran was also marked by a social divide, with Iranian elites benefiting from the country's wealth, while many faced poverty and oppression by the Shah's secret police, SAVAK. The crackdown on dissidents, even leading to the death of Islamic leaders like Mostafa Khomeini, only fueled the revolutionary fervor that ultimately displaced a monarchy that had been in power since 1923.