The Arab Spring began in 2010-2011 as a wave of revolutions across the Middle East where people called for democracy and an end to corrupt leadership. It started in Tunisia when a fruit vendor set himself on fire after facing harassment from officials, sparking protests. His death intensified demonstrations that led to Tunisia's president fleeing within weeks. The success in Tunisia inspired similar uprisings in other countries like Egypt and Libya that also overthrew authoritarian leaders. However, concerns remain about radical Islamist groups gaining power and potential suppression of rights under Sharia law.

1. Hayley Meeks

2. • The Arab Spring is a wave of revolutions across the
Middle East, in which the people are calling for
democracy, and the end of corrupt leadership in their
countries.
• People across the Middle East gather in protests,
sometimes turning violent. Thousands gather, and many
have been successful in toppling their governments and
replacing their leaders. Social Media has facilitated the
quick spread of the Arab Spring, allowing thousands to
see the events in record time.
The Tunisian
Revolution

3. • It all started on December 17,
2012, when a man by the name
of Mohamed Bouazizi ( a
young fruit and vegetable seller)
went to open his stand and three
inspectors came, asking for a
bribe. Bouazizi refused, and
when he refused to give them his
scales, they beat him.
• Bouazizi then proceeded to go to
the governor’s office to request
his goods back. The governor
would not see him.
• Because of this, Mohammed
Bouazizi obtained some petrol,
and set himself on fire. This
triggered what would be known
as the Arab Spring.

4. • The act of Mohamed Bouazizi stirred
something in the Tunisian people.
They felt his helplessness in the face
of corrupt officials, rising prices and
the lack of opportunities that
triggered a wave of sympathy and
anger.
• The initial act brought angry crowds
into the streets, but when Bouazizi
died, the rioting intensified.
Hundreds were killed, and hundreds
more arrested.
• Nine days later, the President Zine
el Abidine Ben Ali, fled. The
government was overthrown on Jan.
14, 2011.
• Elections for a Constituent Assembly
were held on October 23, 2011. This
success spurred other revolutions, to
create the Arab Spring.

5. • Egypt was the next country to have
major revolutions, and it eventually
ended in the ousting of their
president, Hosni Mubarak on
February 11, 2011.
• Libya, Syria, and Yemen followed
Egypt, and conflict still carries on
between rebels and the government in
many regions of the countries.
• The leaders of these countries were
not only corrupt, and promoted an
immense economic gap between the
rich and poor, but the people were
frustrated. Unemployment was high
before the Arab Spring, and was a root
cause of the revolutions. One of the
main and most harmful reasons was
the infringement on political and
human rights. The emergency laws,
and the restrictions on rights were in
the people’s minds as the revolutions
went into full swing. They wanted
leaders who would take care of the
people, and allow them a place in
society with freedoms and rights.
The Syrian Revolution,
which started in
February 2011.

6. • While the revolutions seem like a positive change
(the introduction of democracy is the central good
change), there are other problems with the
revolutions.
• With the ousting of governments, Radical Islamists
groups are gaining power throughout the Middle
East. Groups like the Muslim Brotherhood in
Egypt, Fatah, and Hamas are promising to take
care of their people and give them everything they
have hoped for.
• These groups are the same ones that have staged
terrorist attacks across the globe, claiming a war on
the west.
• So the problem remains; how compatible are
Islamists tendencies and democracy? Will they play
nice with the western nations? Are they planning to
suppress the people as well? Will global jihad
dominate their agenda?

7. • Two problems currently exist:
the violence across the Middle
East, and the Islamist groups
coming to power in their
governments.
• Concerns have been expressed
that because Sharia law may be
implemented, the people will be
further suppressed and other
countries targeted.
• However, especially in Syria,
these groups are the ones
fighting against corrupt
dictators, and helping them
means essentially handing
dangerous groups weapons so
they can fight their enemies and
end the violence against the
civilian population.
These are
armed
militants
from the
Islamist
group
Ansar
Dine.

8. • The United States has given guns to those countries on numerous occasions, and
have supplied them with planes and other machinery.
• The problem of violence is often solved with the installation of new governments,
per the people’s requests. However, violence can only stop if one side wins.
• The United States has offered to intervene in severe situations, as when Syria
decided to use chemical weapons on the civilian populations.
• Other countries are providing military support in the region, to try and contain the
violence.
• However, the potential problems concerning the Radical groups are wait and see;
they have stated that they plan to build their countries as a picture of democracy,
with equal rights, and no ill will towards western nations.
• In past decades, the U.S. has installed leaders they knew would serve their
interests, as with a past leader of Egypt. However, this would be hard to do with
the Islamists groups being so far reaching, and it has not been considered.
• A solution has yet to be found for the Arab Spring and the problems it poses to the
globe and specifically western nations. The revolutions stand for good changes, but
if those happen is just something other countries will have to wait and see.
U.S.
troops on
Syrian
border.

9. • Being aware is a key step to helping in this event.
Knowing what is going on, who is involved, and when it
is happening will allow you to be an informed global
citizen, and essentially make knowledgeable choices in
choosing an opinion.
• Social Media spread the Arab Spring, so it can help end it
as well; using sites like Facebook and Twitter to spread
news and updates, as well as voicing your own opinion
and thoughts.
• Nothing directly can be done to solve these issues;
however, be an example for those countries with regards
to democracy. Be active in your local government and
put it on Facebook! Someone will see it.
• Overall, being aware and active can let you play a role in
helping end this wave of violence and uncertainty.

10. • "Tunisia one year on: Where the Arab Spring started." bbc.co.uk.
N.p.. Web. 21 May 2013. <http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-
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May 2013. <http://www.npr.org/2011/12/17/143897126/the-arab-
spring-a-year-of-revolution>.
• "The Arab Spring: The Root Causes?." almanar.com.lb. N.p.. Web.
21 May 2013.
<http://www.almanar.com.lb/english/adetails.php?eid=45439&cid
=31&fromval=1>.
• "Twitter Revolution: How the Arab Spring Was Helped By Social
Media." policymic.com. N.p.. Web. 21 May 2013.
<http://www.policymic.com/articles/10642/twitter-revolution-
how-the-arab-spring-was-helped-by-social-media>.
• "Demystifying the Arab Spring." foreignaffairs.com. N.p.. Web. 21
May 2013. <http://www.foreignaffairs.com/articles/67693/lisa-
anderson/demystifying-the-arab-spring>.