Arab Spring

December 2010-present

After continued harassment by police and other officials, Mohamed Bouazizi, set himself on fire on a public street in protest. He died in January 2011, sparking a revolt in Tunisia that would

spread to surrounding countries in the Middle East and North Africa.

Common factors in the Arab Spring revolutions

• Goal is to overthrow corrupt authoritarian government

• Poverty/Unemployment are high • Lack of human/civil rights such as free speech• Led by young & urban population• Use social media like Facebook & Twitter

to increase support• Seeking more democratic government

Tunisia

• October 2011-Tunisia's first free vote and the first resulting from the Arab Spring protests.

• Tunisia's new assembly is being watched as an example amid violence in Egypt ahead of its elections and escalating tensions in Syria.

Assembly room where Tunisia’s newly elected Constituent Assembly will meet.

Egypt-Tahrir Square (Feb. 2011)

Former Egyptian President Mubarak ousted in February

2011. He was replaced by Mohamed Morsi through democratic

elections.

Libya

• Protests began in February 2011 against dictator Muammar Qaddafi, who had been in power for over 40 years.• His response was more violent than many other leaders against the rebels• In March 2011, US & European forces began unleashing missiles and warplanes against Qaddafi• He was killed in October 2011 and the country was liberated.

Other Uprisings Around the Middle East

• Yemen’s president was removed and replaced by a new government

• Syria is in a civil war between the government & protestors

• Kuwait, Lebanon, Oman, Morocco, & Jordan governments making changes in response to protests.

• Ongoing protests in Saudi Arabia, Bahrain, Oman, Algeria and some other countries.

Why haven’t other Middle Eastern countries experienced uprisings?

http://www.cbsnews.com/video/watch/?id=7395216n