EGYPT THE REVOLUTION THAT’S STILL OCCURRING Natalie ElSawy Period 1

Egypt is located in the Eastern Hemisphere in northeastern Africa.

REVOLUTION: WHAT’S GOING ON? In Egypt, there has been a campaign of non- violent civil resistance. This resistance has resulted in various marches, acts of disobedience, and strikes. This uprising began after Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak failed to meet the demands of protestors to step down. Therefore the citizens of Egypt took action and attempted to overthrow Mubarak. This all took place in Cairo and Alexandria after the Tunisian Revolution.

WHY? There are several charges against Mubarak that rightfully justify these protests: Police Brutality Electoral fraud Political censorship Widespread corruption High unemployment Food price inflation Low minimum wages Demographic structural factors As a result there has been: Civil Disobedience Civil resistance Demonstrations Riots Strike Actions Self-Immolation Online activisim

EGYPTIAN REVOLUTION VS. AMERICAN REVOLUTION The Revolutions are similar in that the people are rebelling from power. In the American Revolution the slaves rebel for freedom. During the Egyptian Revolution the massive rebellion is for freedom as well but from President Mubarak. And in both situations the satisfaction is not granted, regardless of the endless amounts of protests and riots that were/are being held. Slaves eventually gained freedom but it took years, as for the Egyptian citizens from Mubarak it was not a one-riot revolution. In addition, both Americans and the Egyptians sought for political reform, there were intentions were not to transform world order like revolutionaries such as the French and Bolsheviks. Similarities

EGYPTIAN REVOLUTION VS. AMERICAN REVOLUTION People in Egypt lived under a cruel military dictatorship. The Mubarak regime almost destroyed an entire Middle class, while the Mubarak family was accumulating assets from foreign banks and real estate. The American Revolutions were much more free and prosperous with their revolutionaries. The Resistance in Egypt broke out because of the oppression. Also, the differences in numbers of people rebelling raises the stakes for Egypt. When the American colonist rebelled against Great Britain there were 3 million living in the colonies. When Egyptians rebelled there were 83 million. In addition, the American Revolution was primarily Americans considering Canada did not even join in on the “fun”. The Egyptian revolution also incorporated people in the Maghreb, the Levant, and the Persian gulf, etc. Differences

EGYPT AT HIGHER STAKES? During the American Revolution, the Americans opponent was distracted with military and political events in Europe. Egyptians, protested into a billion dollar police state with little protection. Their protection was merely the size of the crowd [“strength in numbers”]

WHERE TO GO FROM HERE? During the American Revolution the Patriots came out better then they went in. After, there was help in adept to governing, constitution writing and state- building. I think that these things were partically easy to move on to because of the lack of extreme oppression the American’s had on them. Oppression limits citizens, limits entire countries. So the outcome of Egypt’s Revolution is not necessarily positive at this point. Although, with the help of many outsider countries that the Patriots did not have the ability to succeed becomes much greater.

BURNING PICTURE OF MUBARAK

PROTESTS

WORK CITED Teachers Resources “The Dictator in his Cage: Mubarak on Trial in Cairo” “The Face of Egypt’s Social Networking Revolution” Student Resources Egyptian Protests topics.politico.com Egypt v. American Revolution Egyptian Revolution Why Egypt matters: The Implications of the Protests matters_n_ html#s232358&title=Strong_US_Ally