EGYPT: “A revolution gone viral”

WHERE Egypt’s relative location is south of the Mediterranean, west of the Red Sea. The majority of the revolting occurred in Cairo.

So… What exactly happened in Egypt? Protests started on Tuesday, January 25, when -- inspired by the successful revolution in Tunisia -- thousands began taking to the streets to protest poverty, rampant unemployment, government corruption and autocratic governance of President Hosni Mubarak, who has ruled the country for 30 years. Very notably, was the fact that this revolution was generally a non-violent campaign with peaceful protest. It was actually the police who were truly the violent ones

Egyptian Motives for Revolutions Had a very high unemployment of 9.7% (2010 est.) Police brutality – civilians were often beaten for voicing their opinion Food price inflation – people could no longer afford regular household stapes like milk and bread Widespread corruption – All political branches of Egypt were speculated to be corrupted with money laundering, and bribes. Political Censorship – people were not allowed to protest or even disagree with government. Often getting arrested for doing so

How’d they do it? Civil Disobedience – practicing peaceful riots Civil Resistance – Rallied people about protests and planning over social networks like twitter, facebook and myspace Also known as online activism Demonstrations – often carrying banners, and posters, in very larger numbers in the tens of thousands Self immolation… or at least self immolation mindset of being prepared to die for freedom an

Similarities to American Revolution People were rebelling from the hierarchal power There was a massive rebellion for freedom in both (colonists from British and king George, Egyptians from Mubarak) Both were at a militaristic disadvantage over their governments. Egypt wasn’t even fighting back Both colonists and Egyptians had been very unhappy with their governments for quite some time They both were not allowed to voice their opinion Both sought for political reforms

Differences to American Revolution American Revolutions were more independent than the Egyptian revolutionaries because they were many miles away from their government Colonists responded in violence leading to the revolutionary war, whereas the Egyptians never fought back People in Egypt lived under a military dictatorship. With Mubarak almost completely wiping out the middle class completely. Most of the country’s wealth went to him. While the colonies were used as a revenue for the whole of Great Britain Egyptian revolution was sparked by revolution in Tunisia. However the American revolution was self-sparked by the tension caused between Britain and America

What is Egypt’s Next Move? Similar to what the American Revolution did to the colonies, perhaps it is time for egypt to reestablish a strong economy and raise more jobs for its people. Under Mubarak, Egypt’s economy was in complete shambles. Mainly because most of the wealth went to him and his cabinet. But now with his forced resignation, it may give Egypt an opportunity for improvement for their people. With proper governing, Egypt could become a core nation.

Hosni Who? In office 14 October 1981– 11 February 2011 He is a former fighter pilot who once led the country's air force He was sitting next to Anwar Sadat when the president was fatally shot He has survived at least six assassination attempts Mubarak was thought to have been embezzled billions from the Egyptian people And is currently being trialed for the killing of hundreds of innocent protestors

Teacher Resource what exactly happened in egypt Student Resource what exactly happened in egypt cairo.html Student Resource Egyptian motives cairo.html Student Resource How’d they do it? Student Resource Egpyt’s next move