Ayatollah Khomeini: Holy Terror

This episode of Biography examines the life and political career of one the most infamous figures of the twentieth century-Ayatollah Khomeini. Khomeini's rise to power in the 1960s and 1970s relied on the fundamentalism of Iran-a country at odds with the modernization programs of its former leader, the Shah of Iran. Seen as a fanatical murderer and terrorist by the West, Khomeini was nevertheless a beloved figure in his own country. At the core of Khomeini's controversy was a fundamental difference in Western and Islamic ideals-a difference which would allow Khomeini to rise to the center of the world's political stage. Ayatollah Khomeini: Holy Terror would be useful for classes on World History, American History, Political Science, World Events, Cultural History, and Religion. It is appropriate for middle school and high school.

• acquiesced
• austerity
• capitulation
• codified
• covert
• enigma
• entourage
• homage
• incendiary
• infidel
• levity
• lunatic
• misogyny
• nemesis
• obscurity
• paradox
• pathological
• precocious
• revered
• rhetoric
• secular
• seminal
• theocracy
• theologian
• volatile
• wrath

1. Khomeini staged a modern-day revolution in Iran, but used traditional Iranian and Islamic values as justification. How did Khomeini utilize tradition to conduct his revolution?

2. Although Khomeini became one of the most recognizable figures in the world, his past is shrouded in mystery. Why is so little known about Khomeini before his ascent to power?

3. What was the role of religion in Khomeini's life?

4. Under Khomeini's regime, women were forced to wear veils. Why do Islamic women wear veils?

5. Khomeini grew up in an Iran plagued by political and religious dissent. Describe the political turmoil between religion and the modernization of Iran.

6. Iran disposed their Shah in 1953, but the Shah quickly returned. What was the role of America in restoring the monarchy of the Shah?

7. What does the title Ayatollah mean? How did Khomeini achieve this title?

8. Khomeini was a cleric and a religious leader. How did he make the transition to a political leader?

9. How and why did the Iranian Revolution become fiercely anti-American?

10. What is the paradox in Khomeini's treatment of women in Iran?

1. Conduct a group discussion on the politics of religion and government.

2. On a world map, trace the journey of Khomeini from his youth, through his exile, to his ascent as the leader of Iran.

Related Videos