1. Arab Spring

2. The Arab Spring (or the Arab Revolutions) refers to the recent revolutionary wave of demonstrations and protests occurring in the Arab world.

4. A revolution (from the Latin revolutio, "a turn around") is a significant change that takes place in a relatively short period of time.

5. Since 2010 there have been revolutions in Tunisia and Egypt. a civil war in Libya and Syria; civil uprisings in Bahrain, Syria, and Yemen; major protests in Algeria, Jordan, Morocco, Oman and Turkey.

6. Questions Define “Arab Spring” Since 2010 which countries had successful revolutions? Name three countries with civil uprisings Which countries had or are having a civil war?

8. The protests have shared characteristics of civil resistance (protests by the public) in sustained campaigns…

9. …involving strikes, demonstrations, marches and rallies.

11. 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.

13. A major slogan of the demonstrators in the Arab world has been “Ash-sha`b yurid isqat an-nizam” …

14. ("The people want to bring down the regime").

15. The largest, most organized demonstrations have often occurred on a “Day of Rage", usually Friday after the Muslim’s noon prayers.

17. Many demonstrations have met violent responses from government authorities, as well as from pro-government militias.

18. 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.

19. Questions 1.- What are some common characteristics of the uprisings and revolutions? -What has been the most effective tools of organizing and carrying out the uprising or revolution? - What has been the response of the government in most cases?

21. With the success of the protests in Tunisia, a wave of unrest struck Algeria, Jordan, and Yemen, then spread to other countries.

22. In Egypt, President Hosni Mubarak resigned in February, 2011, after two weeks days of massive protests, ending his 30-year presidency.

26. In Egypt this led to: Assumption of power by the Armed Forces; Dissolution of the Parliament; Prosecution of Mubarak former ministers.

27. 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.

28. Protests in Jordan have also caused King Abdullah to form a new government with newly appointed officials

29. Libyan leader Muammar al-Gadafi refused to step down, causing a civil war between his loyalists and rebels…

30. Gadhafi is killed by revolutionary forces on Oct. 20 th, 2011 and new government is put into place.

32. Tunisia: Removal of President Ben Ali; Elections for a Constituent Assembly

33. YEMEN: The President is injured in an attack on his compound; he and his family, including his wife, leave for Saudi Arabia.

34. SYRIA: Release of some political prisoners; Dismissal of Provincial Governors; Resignations from Parliament; Ongoing civil war between the government and the people

35. OMAN: Dismissal of ministers; Granting of lawmaking powers to elected legislature

36. Morocco: Ongoing protests; Political concessions by King Mohammed VI; Voting on Constitutional reforms

37. Questions What common outcomes took place in the countries where there was an uprising, revolution or a civil war?

38. The outside world has also become involved in the events of the Arab Spring

39. 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.

40. 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.)

41. With civil war still raging in Syria, countries like the US have used economic sanctions to try and stop attacks by the government on Syrian citizens.

42. Numerous factors led to the protests, but most focused on the overthrow of authoritarian (total power; the opposite of democracy/ representative government) leaders.

43. Some governments were dictatorships (rule by one man), while others were absolute monarchies (power held by a king/queen with total authority).

44. In all countries, there were accusations of human rights violations, government corruption, unemployment, extreme poverty…

45. and a large percentage of educated but dissatisfied youth within the population.

48. The cause for the revolutions in Northern African and Persian Gulf countries has also been the large amount of wealth in the hands of dictators in power for decades.

49. 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.

50. These young people studied in democratic nations, where they learned the value and fairness of representative government.

52. Time will tell if the events of the Arab Spring will continue to influence and inspire other pro-democracy movements around the world.

53. Questions: -Why were the youth of these countries so dissatisfied with their governments and living conditions? - What changes were they fighting for?

55. Arab Spring