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May 31, 2012
• Objectives: To develop an understanding of the Arab Spring Revolution.
• Question: What is a Revolution?• Agenda: Notes…yeah!!!!
The Arab Spring (or the Arab Revolutions) refers to the recent
revolutionary wave of demonstrations and protests occurring in the Arab world.
A revolution (from the Latin revolutio,
"a turn around") is a significant change
that takes place in a relatively short period of time.
What kinds of revolutions have brought significant changes to humans and their earth?
Political (examples- “American Revolution” and “Russian Revolution”) Social (examples- “Civil Rights Movement” and “Internet Revolution”) Economic (examples-“Scientific Revolution”, “Industrial Revolution” and “Green Revolution”)
Since December, 2010 there have been revolutions in Tunisia and Egypt; a civil war in Libya;
civil uprisings in Bahrain, Syria, and Yemen;
major protests in Algeria, Jordan, Morocco, and Oman.
The protests have shared characteristics of civil resistance (protests by the public) in sustained campaigns…
…involving strikes, demonstrations, marches and rallies.
Protesters were generally young people, who also used the social media, such as Facebook, Twitter, and YouTube, to organize, communicate,
and raise awareness in the face of their governments’ attempts at censorship.
A major slogan of the demonstrators in the Arab world has been
“Ash-sha`b yurid isqat an-nizam” …
("The people want to bring down the regime").
The largest, most organized demonstrations have often occurred
on a “Day of Rage", usually Friday after the Muslim’s noon prayers.
Many demonstrations have met violent responses from government authorities, as well
as from pro-government militias.
The series of protests and demonstrations across the Middle East and North Africa was sparked by the
first protests that occurred in Tunisia which challenged police corruption.
With the success of the protests in Tunisia, a wave of unrest struck Algeria, Jordan, and
Yemen, then spread to other countries.
In Egypt, President Hosni Mubarak resigned in February, 2011, after two weeks days of massive protests, ending his 30-year presidency.
Egyptian Revolution• Territory of Great Britain
during Imperialist Era• President Mubarak- ruled
Egypt for 30 years– Resigned Feb. 11th, 2011
• Country was governed by the military throughout his reign
• Revolution– 18 days of protest– High poverty rate– Low literacy of population– High unemployment
EGYPT UPDATE: • Assumption of power by the Armed Forces; • Dissolution of the Parliament; • Prosecution of Mubarak and former ministers.
During this period of regional unrest, several leaders announced their intentions to step
down at the end of their current terms, such as the Iraqi Prime Minister.
Protests in Jordan have also caused King Abdullah to form a new government with newly appointed officials…
Libyan leader Muammar al-Gadafi refused to step down, causing a civil war between his
loyalists and rebels…
Libyan Revolution• 1969- overthrow of the monarchy
– Led by Colonel Muammar Gaddafi, in power for 40 years
• Dictatorship- only 1 political party allowed
• August 2011- Gaddafi fled Tripoli– Captured in October and killed
• Revolution– National Transitional Council-
revolution leaders and current government of Liyba
– Most people live in overcrowded cities
• 1 in 5 people are farmers, but only 1% of the land is farmable
– Government very controlling- little freedom
Algerian Revolution
• President of Algeria- Abdelaziz Bouteflika• Pressured to change the Constitution and limit Presidential power• Issues with the government and the people had been brewing for
over 19 years• Revolution
– Triggered by high food prices, starvation– Small population (elite) controlled the government– Riots and protests occurred throughout the country
• In February, Bouteflika promised changes and freedom of the press.
Tunisia: Ousting of President Ben Ali Elections for a Constituent Assembly
Tunisia• President of Tunisia- Zine al-
Abidine Ben Ali, ruled Tunisia for over 25 years and forced from power
• Revolution– Protestor’s suicide (angry with
the governments neglect for human welfare)
– Over 300 citizens died during the revolution
– Revolution goals- to end poverty, unfair treatment of citizens, gain human rights and political power for the people
• Musical influence- El General• President and wife sentenced to
35 years in jail
YEMEN: The President is injured in an attack on his compound; he and his family, including his wife, leave for Saudi Arabia.
Yemen• over 16,000 protestors took place in Sana'a, Yemen's capital, on 27
January• On 2 February, Saleh announced he would not run for reelection in
2013 and that he would not pass power to his son. On 3 February, 20,000 people protested against the government in Sana'a
• Protests continued throughout the year, and over 52,000 people were killed.
• A presidential election was held in Yemen on 21 February 2012. With a report claims that it has 65 percent of its turnout, Hadi won 99.8% of the vote. Abd Rabbuh Mansur al-Hadi was taken the oath of office in Yemen's parliament on 25 February 2012.
SYRIA: Release of some political prisoners; Dismissal of Provincial Governors; Resignations from Parliament; Ongoing protests
OMAN: Dismissal of ministers; Granting of lawmaking powers to elected legislature
Morocco: Ongoing protests; Political concessions by King Mohammed VI; Voting on Constitutional reforms
The outside world has also become involved in the events of the Arab Spring…
In spring of 2011, a United Nations Security Council Resolution was adopted, authorizing a
no-fly zone over Libya, and approved "all necessary measures" to protect civilians.
Two days later, France, the United States and the United Kingdom intervened in Libya with a bombing campaign against pro-Gaddafi forces. (A coalition of
27 states from Europe and the Middle East soon joined the intervention, too.)
Numerous factors led to the protests, but most focused on the overthrow of authoritarian
(total power; the opposite of democracy/ representative government) leaders.
Some governments were dictatorships (rule by one man), while others were absolute
monarchies (power held by a king/queen with total authority).
In all countries, there were accusations of human rights violations, government corruption, unemployment, extreme poverty…
and a large percentage of educated but dissatisfied youth within the population.
The catalysts for the revolts in Northern African and Persian Gulf countries
have also been the concentration of wealth in the hands of autocrats (authoritarian leaders)
in power for decades.
In recent decades rising living standards and literacy rates, as well as the increased
availability of higher education, have created internet-savvy youth
of these countries.
These young people studied in democratic nations, where they learned the value and
fairness of representative government.
What ideals do Americans and
citizens of these changing nations
share?
Ideals from the AmericanDeclaration of Independence…
“We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all
men are created equal…”
“…that they are endowed by their Creator with certain
unalienable rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the
pursuit of Happiness.”
“…That to secure these rights,
Governments are instituted among Men,”
“…deriving their just powers
from the consent
of the governed.”
Time will tell if the events of the Arab
Spring will continue to influence and inspire other pro-democracy movements around
the world.
Final 5
• What do you suppose are 3 of the main reasons for the revolutions in the Arab world?
