9781422284346

I RAN 14

example, even before the introduction of Islam in the seventh cen- tury CE , Iran was a major religious center. The Zoroastrian religion, which was founded in Iran, was one of the earliest monotheistic faiths and had an important influence on the development of Judaism, Christianity, and Islam. After the introduction of Islam, Iran quickly rose to a prominent position within the Muslim world as a center of religious learning and study. Iran’s genius in the arts and architecture shifted from the building of great palaces for Persian kings to the construction of equally magnificent mosques and other religious buildings. Until about 100 years ago, the lives of most Iranians had changed little since ancient times. But over the past century, Iran went through one of the most rapid modernizations of any country in history. From a land of farmers and nomads, it has become today a heavily urban country, with a good transportation system, mod- ern buildings, generally good health care, and an educational sys- tem that is available to students in all areas of the country. But the rapid change that Iran experienced was unsettling to its people in many ways. Also, the industrial and cultural changes were not matched by political changes or a movement toward democracy, meaning that the people had little voice in the country’s develop- ment. By the late 1970s, many Iranians had become angry at their authoritarian government, while others resented the loss of

Words to Understand in This Chapter

authoritarian— characteristic of a form of rule in which one or a few unelected leaders make all decisions for a society. monotheistic— characterized by a belief in only one God. mosque— a Muslim house of worship. shah— a king or sovereign of Iran.

Made with FlippingBook flipbook maker