Heirs to Empire: A History of Modern Iran

This set of 5 lectures examines the history of Iran from the 19th to the 21st centuries with special focus on its gradual opening up to European influences, its battles with Britain and Russia particularly, and the internal struggles over how Iran (then Persia) was to modernize, whether to westernize, and yet still keep their independence and their Islamic faith.  Pressures and instability only mount as the demand for oil rises in the 20th century and new powers such as the United States scramble domestic politics, leading to revolution, war and isolation.