Muhammad Reza Pahlavi, became Shah (ruler) of Iran in September 1941. The nation was internally divided and the New Shah opposed groups that they took advantage of his inexperience and Iran's occupation of foreign powers. Opposition groups formed among religious associates, the army officer corps, and Marxist groups. The Ulama, Islamic religious scholars, strongly opposed the changes made by Pahlavi's father. Even as they displeased Pahlavi's father's Westernized thinking, the army officer corps and Marxists competed for power. Say no to plagiarism. Get a tailor-made essay on "Why Violent Video Games Shouldn't Be Banned"? Get an original essay In the early 1950s, Muhammad Mossaddegh became Prime Minister. Mossaddegh opposed the monarchy and foreign powers in Iran. During his time as Prime Minister he limited the Shah's power, which frightened conservatives and those who supported the monarchy. He was replaced by a new Prime Minister, loyal to the monarchy. The Shah was restored to power. He didn't want to lose his power again, so he took steps to keep it. He strengthened a security force known as the National Intelligence and Security Organization, SAVAK. SAVAK repressed Iranians, eliminated political debate, and ensured that rallies contained no political opposition to the monarchy. In the early 1960s, riots broke out. Ruhollah Khomeini, an ayatollah and strong supporter of strict Islam, displeased the Shah's secularization efforts and spoke out harshly against them. After Khomeini led angry protests, he was arrested and shortly thereafter sent into exile. The Shah was frightened by the Ayatollah's ability to mobilize public opinion. To weaken those classes that supported the traditional system, he introduced what he called the “White (bloodless) Revolution”. The Shah wanted to westernize his nation, but keep it as monarch. Several aspects were embraced by the White Revolution, such as land reform, the construction of an expanded road, rail and air network, the extinction of diseases, the encouragement and support of industrial growth, the emancipation of women, the nationalization of forests and rangelands, literacy training and health services for isolated rural areas and establishment of profit-sharing programs for industrial workers. The component that caused the most tension was: women. Women did not gain any political rights, but certain freedoms and encouragement. They could now enter public schools and universities. They could prevent husbands from taking a second wife and working in joint ventures. They were also encouraged to dress in a Westernized manner. Please note: this is just an example. Get a custom paper from our expert writers now. Get a Custom Essay Religious conservatives who sought to keep women subjugated were enraged by the freedoms women had won. To them improvements were profane and condemned. The liberalization laws affecting women were against Islamic values. Overall, the changes made diminished the power of the clergy and their traditions. The people felt unheard and unyielding, knowing that all the Shah has in mind is trying to maintain his power.