The first Shah of the Pahlavis Dynasty, Reza Shah came to power by means of a coup in 1921 and was able to secure power over the political and government system within a few years. He did so by establishing social structure and order, eliminating any threats to his power through rebellion, and having himself named Shah in 1925. Reza Shah wanted to implement sweeping reform programs including projects meant to industrialize Iran and improve access to public education and healthcare. While these programs were meant to help the Iranian people, some reacted harshly to his authoritarian style authroitarian style of rule and many religious and educated peoples spoke out against the ruler.
Reza Shah was eventaully displaced from power, placed into exile by the British and succeeded by his son, Mohammad Reza Shah. Like his father, the second Pahlavi ruler supported reform programs meant to develop Iran's economy and support it's people. However, these attempts were meant with reservations by many people who faced more economic hardship and disparity rather than oppporutnity. This resentment led many to support revolutionary ideas and movements, which eventually saw the collapse of the Shah's government in 1978 and 1979.
"The Lieut. Governor asked Capt. Preston didn't you know you had no power to fire upon the Inhabitants or any number of People collected together unless you had a Civil Officer to give order. The Captain replied I was obliged to, to save my Sentry."
On 17 July 1918, in the wake of the Russian Revolution of 1917, the last Russian royal family – the Romanovs – were brutally murdered by Bolshevik revolutionaries. Their deaths marked the end of a dynasty that had ruled Russia for more than 300 years.
America avenged its defeat in the Philippines with the invasion of the island of Leyte in October 1944. He was held responsible for the death march, a war crime, and was executed by firing squad on April 3, 1946.
