Grades 8-12 Products

Step into one of the most consequential political upheavals of the 20th century with this intensive one-day exploration of Iran’s 1979 Revolution. Your student will investigate how a powerful, Western-backed monarchy collapsed seemingly overnight and transformed into an Islamic theocracy—a shift that continues to shape global politics today.

Through this unit study, students will examine the critical events leading to revolution: the 1953 CIA-orchestrated coup against Iran’s democratically elected government, the Shah’s increasingly authoritarian modernization program, and the explosive combination of economic inequality, political repression, and religious opposition that ignited mass protests. They’ll analyze how foreign intervention in pursuit of oil interests planted seeds of resentment that bloomed into revolution decades later.

This study develops essential critical thinking skills by examining multiple perspectives—from Iranian citizens and religious leaders to American policymakers and international observers. Students will understand how this revolution created tensions that dominate today’s headlines and learn valuable lessons about the long-term consequences of supporting authoritarian regimes, the power of religious movements in political change, and why understanding this history is crucial for interpreting current Middle Eastern affairs.