Arab SpringBy: Alexa, Ashley, Colleen and Tara

What is the Arab Spring?

• The revolutionary wave of demonstrations and protests that have been taking place in the Middle East and North Africa

• The protests have shared techniques of civil resistance involving, strikes, demonstrations, marches and rallies, as well as the use of social media sights such as Facebook, Youtube, and Twitter.

Arab Spring Timeline

• Arab Spring Timeline

Tunisia• The On December 17, 2011:

Mohamed Bouazizi lit himself on fire in protest of his treatment by local authorities this sparked the current unrest sweeping the Middle East.

•Protests, which sometimes turned into violent riots, quickly spread to other areas and the capital, Tunis. The Tunisian government responded first with repression, unleashing state security forces on the demonstrators, arresting activists, and shutting down the internet.

Tunisia

• For 23 years Tunisia was ruled by corrupt Ben Ali, who imprisone anyone who spoke out against him

• January 14: Ben Ali declares a state of emergency and fires the country’s government amid violent clashes between protestor sand security forces

Aftermath • Since Ben Ali’s departure,

Tunisia’s transitional government has taken a number of steps towards representative democracy.– It has dissolved Ben Ali’s

monarchical ruling party, – It has allowed political

parties to organize– And, elections have been

scheduled for July, over 50 political parties have registered for this election

Egypt

• Protests started on Tuesday, January 25, inspired by the successful revolution in Tunisia

• Thousands began taking to the streets to protest poverty, unemployment, government corruption and autocratic governance of President Hosni Mubarak, who has ruled the country for 30 years.

Egypt

• Egyptian protesters were focused on legal and political issues including police brutality, state of emergency laws, lack of free elections and freedom of speech, uncontrollable corruption, and economic issues

Egypt & Tunisia Questions

• After the Success of the Egyptian Revolution which country do you think will fall next?– Algeria– Iran– Jordan

• Just as Tunisia’s overthrow of Ben Ali sparked uprising across the Arab world, do you think its success in moving toward a stable democracy could send a strong symbol to its neighbors?

Libya

• Leader: Colonel Moammar Gadhafi, a man of ruthless intent & reputation for getting his way regardless of the cost

• Revolution Cause: – 3 days after the fall of the

Egyptian President peaceful demonstration started against the Libyan dictator who has ruled for over 4 decades.

Revolution• According to witnesses, more

than 2,000 people demonstrated overnight in the city of Benghazi,

• The clashes between anti- and pro-government forces in Benghazi and Zentan, south of Tripoli, caused as many as 40 injuries and ignited a flame of revolt that Gadhafi’s regime has been violently attempting to suppress.

• Despite Gadhafi's violent attempts to quell the protesters, they have proven themselves a resilient force.

• On Monday, February 21, protesters took to the streets to celebrate and declare their victory of Benghazi.

• As protesters were excited by their historic takeover of Benghazi, new and larger protests erupted throughout the capital in Tripoli, which as expected has enraged Gadhafi

• In addition to external pressure, Gadhafi is losing support from within his own government.

• On March 19th the United Nations Security Council declared a “No Fly Zone” over Libya. Colonel Gadhafi responded to this by declaring a cease-fire.

Syria

• Bashar Al Assad– Government: no

ideology, beleaguered state, internet censorship, travel bans

– Criticized by west for supporting terrorist groups and isolated self from other Arab countries

– One of the most repressive regimes

Uprisings

• Triggered by Tunisia• March 2011– Protests started in Dar’a

• Police involved with many arrests

• Assad’s cabinet decides to resign to take the streets of Damascus for a pro democracy movement

• 200 young protestors demand reform

• April 2011• Assad sent security

forces to kill dozens. He arrested his government opponents and others were reported missing

• White House establishes few sanctions against officials

• May 2011• Obama imposes

sanctions on Assad and six other officials

• Recently, protesters are gathered but no violent actions have occurred

• Uprisings show weakness of Dictatorship

Libya & SyriaQuestions

• Why do you think it took so long for the UN to declare a No Fly Zone over Libya?

• Colonel Gadhafi has been the dictator of Libya for over 40 years, why do you think it has taken so long for Libya to rebel?

•Do you think Assad will step down from rule, still lead a repressive regime, or try to make changes to satisfy the Syrian people?