The Modern Middle East: A History By Gelvin

How did revolution and resistance reshape the Middle East during this time period? Chapter 18 of Gelvin’s book The Modern Middle East: A History discusses the resistance and revolutions that emerged in the Middle East during the contemporary era. He, also, discusses the impacts these revolutions have had in the Middle East. Gelvin focus is on the Iranian Revolution of 1978-1789, and the subsequent effects of the revolution in the Middle East. This paper will discuss the how the revolutions in the Middle East reshaped it. This paper will look mainly at the Iranian Revolution and the impact of it on government and Islamist groups emerging. To start with, Gelvin points out two reasons for the emergence of social or political movements in the Middle East after they gained independence. The reasons he lists are nativism and demand for rights to be restored or improved upon. Nativism believe that to revive a community is to revert back to its defining traditions. The second reason is straightforward. This reason is to fight for their rights, either economic or social for individuals or groups. The majority of the time, the revolutions that emerge combine both of these reasons. The Iranian Revolution is an example movement that combines nativism with demand for rights. …show more content…
The shah used Iran’s wealth to “engage in social engineering, consolidate his power, and expand the state’s intrusion into the lives of its citizenry.” The policies the shah was implementing alienated many of the citizens he ruled. This upset many in the country, and the result was the Iranian Revolution. The people then led a war against the state. In the end, the Revolution was successful and the government overthrown. This revolution had many impacts on the Middle East, specifically the emergence of a new government and Islamist