Final answer:
The causes of the 1979 Iranian Revolution were a combination of underlying factors such as the Shah's oppressive rule and close ties to the US, as well as immediate factors including the economic crisis and popular support for Ayatollah Khomeini. The revolution was driven by widespread discontent among the Iranian population, resentment towards Western influence, and a desire for change.
Step-by-step explanation:
The causes of the 1979 Iranian Revolution can be divided into underlying and immediate factors. Underlying causes included the Shah's oppressive rule, his close ties to the United States, and the resentment among the Iranian people towards Western influence. Immediate causes included the economic crisis caused by the nationalization of the oil industry and the popular support for Ayatollah Khomeini, who led the opposition against the Shah's regime.
The Shah's rule was marked by corruption, censorship, and human rights abuses, which created widespread discontent among the Iranian population. Additionally, his close ties to the United States, including receiving economic and military aid, led to the perception that he was a puppet of Western powers.
Another underlying cause was the widespread resentment towards Western influence and the belief that the nation's oil revenue should benefit the Iranian people. When Ayatollah Khomeini emerged as a prominent figure opposing the Shah's regime, he gained popular support by promising to address these grievances.
The immediate causes of the revolution included the economic crisis triggered by the nationalization of the oil industry. Khomeini's decision to seize the assets of Western oil companies and end oil shipments to the United States resulted in a doubling of oil prices, which exacerbated the energy crisis. This, in turn, led many Iranians to question whether powerful interests were manipulating oil prices.
Furthermore, the events of the revolution were also precipitated by the Shah's panicked response to an open-air prayer meeting organized by the Muslim clergy. The brutal response from the army, including firing into the crowd and killing protesters, further galvanized popular opposition against the regime. The students' storming of the US embassy and the subsequent hostage crisis also played a significant role in fueling anti-American sentiments and prompting support for the revolution.