Pahlavis

The Pahlavi dynasty was the ruling house of Iran from 1925 to 1979. The dynasty was founded by Reza Khan, who overthrew the Qajar dynasty in a coup d'état and was crowned Reza Shah Pahlavi in 1925. He aimed to modernize Iran and establish a strong, centralized government, implementing significant social, economic, and political reforms. These included developing infrastructure, expanding education, and secularizing the state.

Reza Shah's son, Mohammad Reza Pahlavi, succeeded him in 1941. His reign was marked by a period of rapid economic growth and modernization, particularly in the 1960s and 1970s, often referred to as the "White Revolution." However, his authoritarian rule, close ties with the United States, and perceived Westernization led to growing dissent among various segments of Iranian society, including religious conservatives and left-wing groups.

The Pahlavi era ended with the Iranian Revolution in 1979, which overthrew the monarchy and established the Islamic Republic of Iran. Mohammad Reza Pahlavi fled the country and died in exile. The legacy of the Pahlavi dynasty is complex, remembered for its modernization efforts but also for the authoritarianism and societal divisions that ultimately contributed to its downfall.