Leaders
Ayatollah Khomeini
Is Iran a federal or unitary system of government?
Unitary
What event took place from 1979-1981 under Khomeini that increased tensions between Iran and the US?
The Iranian Hostage Crisis
Theocracy
What type of Islam is followed by over 90% of the citizens of Iran?
Shia
Who was the last shah of Iran?
What government body is responsible for inspecting political candidates, limiting the level of political diversity in the government?
The Guardian Council
What was the Constitutional Revolution of 1906?
It was a revolt against the governing group to institute a new government with a new constitution, including a bill of rights, direct elections, laws created by a legislature, and popular sovereignty.
What is velayat-e faqih?
Jurist's Guardianship - Authority of the government, specifically the Supreme Leader, Guardianship Council, and ARE, to interpret and enforce Sharia law and the Quran.
Land reforms, increased women's rights, agricultural innovation.
Which leader was elected Prime Minister of Iran, interrupting the Pahlavi Dynasty and taking control for a time before being ousted by the CIA and MI6 in 1953?
Mohammad Mossadeq
Name two of the three democratically elected government bodies/positions.
Majles, Assembly of Religious Experts (ARE), President.
What was Reza Shah's intelligence force called?
SAVAK
Which media sources are run by the government. and which are privately owned?
Television and radio are owned by the government, while there are many privately owned newspapers and magazines.
What religious groups have reserved seats in the Iranian legislature, aside from the Islamic sects?
"People of the Book" - Jews, Christians, etc.
Who was the controversial Iranian president from 2005-2013 that promoted conservative and fundamentalist Islamic policies?
Mahmoud Ahmadinejad
Name 3 major positions appointed by the Supreme Leader
The Expediency Council, President, 6 members of the Guardian Council, Chief Justice
Which group ruled Persia before Iran became a country?
The Qajars
What is the name of the secular law, secondary to Sharia?
Qanun
What is the equality with difference policy?
The policy that dictates the differences between men and women in Iranian society, and marks women as wards of their male relatives.
Who was defeated in the 2009 presidential election, sparking protests and conflict throughout Iran?
Mir-Hossein Mousavi
What must some who is trying to become a member of the Assembly of Religious Experts have and what is the role of the ARE?
Condition: Must have a theology degree equivalent to master's
Role: Appoint the Supreme Leader, remove them from office if "mentally incapable"
What city provided the basis of Twelver Shiism and was where Khomeini began his writings and public criticisms of the Shah?
Qom
What Sunni concept provided a basis for the creation of the Expediency Council?
Maslahat
What was the name of the period under president Khatami that was categorized by more political and economic freedom, with less tense foreign relations?
Tehran Spring