REVOLUTION 2.0 – ME IN TRANSITION
Middle East Unit Lesson 4
OBJECTIVES
Identify causes of the Arab Spring. Explore the role of social media in the
uprising. Identify the connection to other
protests in the region. Consider the US response to the
events. Consider the potential effects of the
protests on democracy and stability in the Middle East.
WARM UP
Name two challenges Middle Eastern nations have faced since independence.
T-P-S
What is a revolution?
Why is it important to learn about the Arab Spring revolutions?
Overthrow of est govt by people governed; sudden, often violent change in society
Support humanity, democracy, better life
Exciting Appreciate risks taken US ties to region Youth revolt
WHAT CAUSED THE PROTESTS?
Economic Conditions High unemployment Low minimum wages Inflation (food prices) Class stratification
Political Conditions No democratic values! Lack voice in govt No free speech/assembly Police
brutality/corruption
Who is demonstrating? Youth 15-30 College students &
grads
Fundamentalists & Opposition Groups
ROLE OF SOCIAL MEDIA
Facebook ,Twitter, YouTube Mohamed Bouazizi “We are all Khaled Said”
Jan 25th “Day of Rage” protest
Sped up pace of revolution Organize ppl Transmit info Gather support
Media Blackout Underground tech mvmtOpen pic for great paper on
topic!
MOVEMENTS – CLICK TO LEARN MORE!
Tunisia Egypt Libya Syria Algeria Jordan Kuwait Morocco Lebanon Oman, Yemen,
Bahrianhttp://www.choices.edu/resources/twtn_egypt_future.php
US INTERESTS
Economic Ties Grain (wheat) for
cotton Oil
Political Ties “Double Bind”
Authoritarian but stabilize volatile region
Regional Stability “Productive instability”
– short term chaos good for long term Democratic change?
Rise Political Islam?
ACTIVITY Working in small groups, explore the ongoing
events surrounding the revolutions & uprisings in several key Middle Eastern
nations.
REPORT OUT
Cause of Protest? Status Today? Successful?
How measure success?
Major obstacles? US
Perspective/Actions
WEBSITES FOR RESEARCH
Washingtonpost.com/wp-srv/special/world/middle-east-protests
Cnn.com/SPECIALS/2011/arab.unrest/index.html
Nytimes.com/interactive/world/middleeast/middle-east-hub.html#syria
Guardian.co.uk/world/interactive/2011/mar/22/middle-east-protest-interactive-timeline
English.aljazeera.net/indepth/spotlight/2011
http://www.pbs.org/newshour/rundown/2013/09/your-cheat-sheet-to-the-syrian-conflict.html
WATCH
http://youtu.be/wZ1jWsE5w3g
CLOSURE
Revolution or protest?
Why has the US responded differently to protests in different nations?
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
This lesson was made possible in part by resources from Brown University’s “Choices Program” – Teaching with the News Lessons Egypt’s Uprising and After Mubarak.