Definition: Revolution

A forcible overthrow of a government or social order in favor of a new system.

Arab Spring • Is a revolutionary wave of

demonstrations and protests that started to occur in the Arab world beginning in December of 2010

• Revolutions that were contagious – went viral!

   Government overthrown   Governmental changes due to sustained civil disorder   Governmental changes due to relatively minor protests   Armed rebellion   Widespread protests (most major cities)   Relatively minor protests   Countries outside the Arab world with related crises

Many Arab Governments... • have/had consolidated leadership based upon single

authority leaders (dictators/monarchy)• violated many human rights rules and shown government

corruption• over the last few decades have seen a growth of standard

of living, literacy, and higher education but have little change in their government

• are being overthrown with the hope of free elections and idea of democratic values.

Hosni Mubrarak

• Egyptian dictator 1981 -2010

• Protests begin calling for his resignation starting in 2010….this is what we will be studying

Syria • Began… January 26, 2011• Starting Point

- after a citizen was assulted and unfairly arrested by the police

- Young kids were also harshly arrested for make government

- protested have gradually grown in number and soon citizen began challenging the president

• Now the country’s protest have grown to the point of civil war

President – Bashar al-Assad- elected in 2000 & 2007- both times unopposed Free Syrian Army

Syrian Civil War • Idlib Governorate

– Province in Syria that has been a stronghold for the rebels

• Suheir Atassi– One of the leading rebel leaders Province in Syria that has been a

stronghold for the rebels

National Coalition for Syrian Revolutionary and Opposition Forces