1 / 22

The U.S. Hostage Crisis in Iran

The U.S. Hostage Crisis in Iran. 444 Days in Captivity. Background of the Shah . First came to power during WWII Deposed in the late forties Reinstalled by a CIA-led coup in 1953 approved by the Eisenhower administration. The “White Revolution”.

chill
Download Presentation

The U.S. Hostage Crisis in Iran

An Image/Link below is provided (as is) to download presentation Download Policy: Content on the Website is provided to you AS IS for your information and personal use and may not be sold / licensed / shared on other websites without getting consent from its author. Content is provided to you AS IS for your information and personal use only. Download presentation by click this link. While downloading, if for some reason you are not able to download a presentation, the publisher may have deleted the file from their server. During download, if you can't get a presentation, the file might be deleted by the publisher.

E N D

Presentation Transcript


  1. The U.S. Hostage Crisis in Iran 444 Days in Captivity

  2. Background of the Shah • First came to power during WWII • Deposed in the late forties • Reinstalled by a CIA-led coup in 1953 approved by the Eisenhower administration

  3. The “White Revolution” • Divested the clergy of their vast landholdings • Declared new rights for women • Right to vote • Right to attend university • Dramatically increased urbanization and industrialization • Exiles the Ayatollah Khomeini after he criticizes the Shah

  4. Westernize or Bust! • Most Iranians did not want to abandon their rich heritage for Western Ways • Found inspiration in the sermons of Muslim leaders who denounced the material West • The Shah maintained control with harsh repression and brutality

  5. Allah Hu Akbar, Marg Bar Shah! • Demonstrations increased demanding the shah be deposed • Demonstrators demanded the return of the exiled Ayatollah Khomeini • The country was out of control

  6. Exit the Shah! • Offers the premiership to Dr. Shahpur Bahktiar • Leaves the country January 16, 1979 • The Ayatollah was invited back • Tens of thousands of demonstrators demanded the return of an Islamic state. • Dr. Bahktiar leaves

  7. Islamic State Returns • Enemies of the Islamic Revolution are tried and executed • All political parties and organizations are banned • Independent and non-Islamic newspapers are closed. • Banks and Industries are Nationalized.

  8. Iranian Revolution Escalates • US interests in the Persian Gulf are threatened. • No access to Iranian Oil • Cancellation of $7 billion of uncompleted arms contracts • Anti American sentiment runs high.

  9. “Marg Bar Amrika!” • Sunday, November 4, 1979 the US Embassy in Teheran is stormed • Sixty-six hostages taken

  10. Oh Canada! • Six Americans seek refuge at the Canadian Embassy • Tense moments • Ottawa and Canadian Embassy prepare to evacuate

  11. Iran’s Hostage Demands • Return the Shah for trial • Return the Shah’s wealth to the people of Iran • Admission of guilt by the US • An apology and promise to stay out of Iran’s affairs.

  12. President Carter’s Response • Refused to send the Shah back • Froze all Iranian Government financial assets • Forbade American companies from buying Iranian oil • 13 hostages freed

  13. U.S. Reaction to Hostage Crisis • Demonstrations at the Iranian Embassy in the US • Record sales of Iranian flags, which were then burned • Iranian Americans were harassed

  14. Renewed Sense of Patriotism • Hostages became a national obsession • Penelope Laingen and the yellow ribbon

  15. America’s Frustration Grows • On April 7, President Carter announces the severing of diplomatic relations with Iran • Complete economic embargo • Inventory of financial claims against Iran to be paid from Iranian assets in the U.S. • All Iranian diplomats are told to leave the country in 24 hours.

  16. Operation Eagle Claw • April 24, 1980 • 8 helicoptors from the Nimitz were to rendezvous with 6 transports at Desert One • Then fly to Desert Two to drive to Teheran where the CIA had arranged for several Iranians to help storm the embassy

  17. Mission Aborted! • The first mission for the newly formed Delta Force • Pilots did not have experience, flying at night, flying low, and in sand storms. • The sandstorm disabled three helicoptors, one collided with a transport and both burst into flames killing eight Americans

  18. President Carter Accepts Full Blame • Little hope for a second attempt because the hostages were dispersed to various locations • Carter’s popularity sinks • The Shah dies in July

  19. “On Wings of Eagles” • Ross Perot’s hires Col. Bull Simon to rescue two EDS employees in an Iran prison. • Successful mission • Ken Follett novel

  20. 1980 Presidential Campaign • The Reagan-Bush team realized that the hostage issue would determine the election • Americans needed to hear stirring phrases of national purpose, and believe in the future. • Wins by a landslide, Nov. 4

  21. The Hostages are Freed • Carter released $8 billion in frozen Iranian assets the morning of the inauguration • Hostages freed in moments after Reagan inaugurated

  22. Where Are They Now? • The Shah’s son is attended school at USC • Trained as a pilot in the US Air Force • Acknowledges some of the evil that his father was accused of • Is gathering support to return to Iran

More Related