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This test consists of 5 short answer questions, 10 short essay questions, and 1 (of 3) essay topics.

Short Answer Questions

1. What was Ali's fate?

2. What is the Savak concept of guilt and innocence?

3. What is Khomeini's title?

4. According to Kapuscinski, why do countries like Iran come to reject internationalism?

5. What does the name Mahdi mean?

Short Essay Questions

1. Describe the story of Agha Mohammed Khan. Why does Kapuscinski mention this event?

2. Who were the petro-bourgeoisie?

3. Describe Reza Khan's activities and background prior to becoming Shah. Include the Persian Cossack Brigade in your response.

4. What is the story, as told through Kapuscinski examining a photograph, of the grandfather of the last Shah of Iran, Mohammed Reza Pahlavi?

5. Who is the "Twelfth Imam," and why is this figure important in Shiism?

6. Describe the physical/personality differences between Reza Khan and Mohammed Reza Pahlavi as Kapuscinski sees them.

7. What is the nature of the political cartoon depicted in Photograph 12? What is its message?

8. Describe how Reza Khan was forced from his position as Shah of Iran.

9. What part does the mosque play in events leading up to the Iranian revolution?

10. For Kapuscinski, what does oil represent in Middle Eastern nations? Why does he call the allure of oil deceptive?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

The Great Civilization was a central event in Iranian history.

1) Explain what the Great Civilization was. When did it occur? Who initiated it? What was its purpose?

2) How did Iran change as a result of the Great Civilization? Describe how military, industries, common people, etc., changed.

3) Why is the date of December 23, 1973, important in the history of the Great Civilization?

Essay Topic 2

Describe the basic philosophical differences between conservatism and liberalism. How was this debate/struggle manifest in the aftermath of the Iranian Revolution?

Essay Topic 3

Fear is central to Kapuscinski's discussion of the Shah regime. How did Shah and his various organizations use fear as a weapon? Discuss specific policies the Shah instituted, and discuss the Savak and their relationship to the Iranian citizenry. Finally, how does Kapuscinski relate his discussion of fear to the Iranian Revolution? What role did fear play in that event?

(see the answer keys)

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