Learning About Syria:
A guided presentation for classroom use
The Basic FactsSyria:
Syria: The Basic Facts
Syria is a country
bordering the Mediterranean
Sea that is considered part
of the Middle East.
Syria: The Basic Facts
While it is mostly desert,
it has many beautiful
cities that are centuries old.
Syria: The Basic Facts
It is roughly the size of
Missouri and has over 20 million
people.
The Recent HistorySyria:
Syria: The Recent History
Since the year 2000,
it has been ruled by the dictator
Bashar al-Assad.
Syria: The Recent History
His rule has been autocratic, meaning
governed by one person, without any democracy.
Syria: The Recent History
Since 2011, the Syrian
people have rebelled against him, demanding
their basic human rights.
Syria: The Recent History
Their revolt has been part of a movement for freedom in the
Middle East known as the Arab Spring.
The RebellionSyria:
Syria: The Rebellion
The revolt was started by students
who wrote anti-government
graffiti on the wall of their school.
Syria: The Rebellion
Assad’s forces have struck back, attempting to crush the
rebellion.
Syria: The Rebellion
Over 20,000 Syrians have been killed in the past two
years.
Syria: The Rebellion
Over 250,000 have been forced to flee for their lives in refugee camps in Jordan
and Turkey.
The refugee camps
The World’s ReactionSyria:
Syria: The World’s Reaction
The U.S. and other countries have tried
to work with the United Nations
to find a peaceful solution.
Syria: The World’s Reaction
China, Russia, and Iran all
have blocked these actions,
fearing the Syrian revolt will spread to
their countries.
Syria: The World’s Reaction
It is unclear if Assad
will remain in
power.
Syria: The World’s Reaction
Enforcing a “No-Fly” Zone
could stop Assad’s
gunships from terrorizing the
people.
Syria: The World’s Reaction
Starting sanctions—or penalties—on Assad’s bank accounts could
cripple his power.
Why it mattersSyria:
Syria: Why it matters
The United States has its own history fighting tyranny
in the American
Revolution.
The Boston Massacre, 1770
Syria: Why it matters
History has also shown that
oppresion often spreads to other countries if it is
not stopped.Nazi invasion of Poland, 1939
Syria: Why it matters
We exist as one global community.
What affects one person, affects us all.
What you can doSyria:
Syria: What you can do
Put pressure on the world’s leaders
to stop Assad’s violence.Ban Ki-moon,
Secretary-General of the United Nations
Syria: What you can do
Call 1-800-GENOCIDE
to express your concern to our
leaders.
Syria: What you can do
Spread the word by friending
“I Am Syria” on Facebook.
Show the “I Am Syria” video
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