Final answer:
The first part of the Iranian Revolution, which started with peaceful protests, escalated when the Shah declared martial law, resulting in a violent confrontation known as 'Black Friday.' The subsequent public anger and strikes paralyzed the economy and led to the end of the Shah's rule, paving the way for Ayatollah Khomeini's Islamic Republic. Iran had its unique political journey, not directly influenced by the Arab Spring, but marked by internal tensions and protests.
Step-by-step explanation:
The first part of the Iranian Revolution was initially marked by relatively peaceful protests but was followed by more violent and tumultuous events. The situation escalated when the Shah declared martial law in response to the Muslim clergy announcing an open-air prayer meeting on the holiday marking the end of Ramadan. This reaction resulted in a tragic outcome on September 8, 1978, a day later known as 'Black Friday' when 5,000 protesters took to the streets and the army opened fire, killing dozens and sparking wider outrage that fueled the revolution. The death toll claimed by the Ayatollah Khomeini was much higher than the official figures, inciting even greater public anger and leading to strikes that brought the economy to a standstill, including significant walkouts by workers in key sectors such as oil refineries. The anti-Shah sentiment was exacerbated by the general perception that the United States supported the Shah's regime due to their 'special relationship' and public statements by President Jimmy Carter. The culmination of these events and mass protests led to the Shah fleeing the country and Ayatollah Khomeini stepping into power, proclaiming the new Islamic Republic in 1979. While Iran witnessed subsequent political frictions and protests, such as the ones surrounding the disputed 2009 elections, the nation did not experience a direct uprising as a part of the Arab Spring of 2011. However, Iran's prolonged political landscape has been characterized by tension, opposition, and diverse protest movements, reflecting a population that continues to grapple with issues of governance, personal freedoms, and the role of Western influence.