REVOLUTION 2.0Egypt’s Uprising

OBJECTIVES

Identify causes of the Egyptian Revolution.

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

Why is it important for students to learn about what is happening in Egypt?

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

ACTIVITY – SIGNS OF PROTEST

http://www.life.com/image/first/in-gallery/55081/cairos-fiery-protest-signs#index/0

Who is involved in demonstrations? Young? Old? Men? Women? Represent one group

or wide range of society? Judging by the signs, what do they want?

Why are many written in English? Which do you find most effective/powerful?

Why? How do these images impact your ideas and

feelings about the region?

18 DAY REVOLUTION

Jan 25 – Day of Rage Protests

Jan 28 – Military deployed, Media blackout

Jan 29 – Mubarak fires cabinet, appoints Suleiman VP

Jan 31 – Military shifts alliance

Feb 1 – Mubarak says he won’t seek re-election in Sept

Feb 2 – Pro-Govt supporters attack protestors in Tahrir Square

Feb 3 – Arrest & intimidate journalists – US calls for resignation

Feb 4 – Peaceful day of protests

Feb 10 – Mubarak says on TV he’s turning power to VP but he won’t resign

Feb 11 – Turns over all power to military, leaves Cairo

Feb 13 – Military dissolves parliament & suspends constitution. Will hold power until new govt estab

ROLE OF SOCIAL MEDIA

Facebook “We are all Khaled Said”

Jan 25th “Day of Rage” protest

Wael Ghonim

Sped up pace of revolution Organize ppl Transmit info Gather support

Media Blackout

ADDITIONAL MOVEMENTS

Tunisian Dictator Ben Ali Ousted 1st - Jan 2011 Authoritarian govt

w/US ties Twitter Youth Lost military support

Symbolic Victories Inspire Others (HW)

http://www.choices.edu/resources/twtn_egypt_future.php

THE US & EGYPT

Economic Ties Grain (wheat) for

cotton Tourism Suez Canal (oil/goods)

Political Ties Close alliance 1b aid/yr “Double Bind”

Authoritarian but stabilize volatile region

Regional Stability “Productive

instability” – short term chaos good for long term Democratic change

CLOSURE

What were the basic causes of the Egyptian revolt that led to the ouster of Pres Hosni Mubarak?

HOMEWORK

How have the protests in Egypt influenced the following nations? Algeria Syria Jordan Yemen Kuwait Libya Lebanon

Any Others?

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

This lesson was made possible by resources from Brown University’s “Choices Program” – Teaching with the News Lessons Egypt’s Uprising and After Mubarak.