16. Mohammad Reza Shah Abdicated in January 1979
Mohammad Reza Shah was the monarch of Iran and very friendly with Western powers. He was keen to modernize Iran, but his programs and reforms left millions of his people impoverished and destitute. Many of his policies were viewed as affronts to Islam, such as when he authorized the license of a liquor store in the holy city of Qom. His secret police force, SAVAK, was supported by Western countries, including the United States, and was used to terrorize any who dissented against him. The last decade of his reign was characterized by growing discontent, much of which he seemed to be oblivious to.
In the years leading up to 1979, he not only continued with the oppressive use of SAVAK but also had the military fire on protestors who organized and demonstrated against him. The situation in Iran became so unstable and violent that in January of 1979, he was forced to leave the country because it was no longer safe for him. He may have expected to return as soon as the passing phase of revolt had ended, but what had begun was a full-blown revolution. Iran would no longer be a monarchy, as it had been for 2500 years, but would become an Islamic republic. Thus began the Iranian Revolution.