"The Spark that Started it All"
December 17, 2010 Mohamed Bouazizi sets himself on fire after being assaulted(slapped) by police person. He was illegally selling food out of a cart without a permit. He is a college graduate that was angry with the level of low employment and wanted to make a statement. He was protesting the treatment of citizens based on the hands of authorities. |
The Jasmine Revolution
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1.) Bouazizi sets himself on fire in protest, demonstrations break out in his hometown. A security crackdown from government is the response since demonstrations and protests are very rare in Tunisia. Details of this security increase spread of social media. 2.) Protests reach the capital and the government responds with further brutality 3.) The President changes government cabinet and promises jobs however the citizens demanded more, these changes were not enough. |
Protest Timeline
- December 19th 2010 - young people in the city of Sidi Bouzid protest in support of Mohamed Bouzizi, they smash the windows of stores and cars. The police respond with tear gas and mass arrests. 10 days of protests and violence follow.
- December 29th, 2010 - President addresses country, promises more jobs and security from protesters - January 9th, 2011 - more violence between protesters and police, 11 dead after 4 weeks. The protest reaches the Capitol - Democratic Progressive Party against current Tunisian government - Protesting spreads to Algeria |
Results of the Events in Tunisia
January 14th, 2011 - President Ben Ali flees to Saudi Arabia after continued protests. Prime minister Mohamed Ghannouchi takes over as an impermanent president. The Military begins to guard public spaces.
January 19th 2011 - Switzerland freezes Ben Ali's assets January 24th - France offers aid to Tunisia's interim government February 27th, 2011 - Prime Minister Ghannouchi resigns due to continued violence and disatisfaction from citizens. Names Cadi-Essebsi to fill position March 9th, 2011 - Political party associated with Ben Ali deteriorates May 8th, 2011 - emergency nighttime curfew installed, continued violence and unrest. Tunisia citizens were able June 14, 2011 - general election delayed until October, most voters not registered June 20th 2011 - Ben Ali sentenced to 35 years in jail. Convicted of theft, possession of foreign currency October 24th, 2011 - Tunisia's first free election! (Islamist Party wins election) December 13th, 2011 -The people elect Moncef Marzouki as president |
Results of Events in Surrounding Countries
The events in Tunisia inspired many other countries to resist against authoritarian governments and leaders who refused to step down. Leaders in in Libya, Egypt, and Yemen were put out of power due to uprisings that occurred during Arab Spring.
CITATIONS
"The Arab Spring: A Year Of Revolution." NPR. Accessed March 13, 2015.
"Arab Spring: Protests in Tunisia, Libya, Egypt and More." YouTube. Accessed March 13, 2015.
"Before the Arab Spring, the Unseen Thaw | Human Rights Watch." Before the Arab Spring, the Unseen Thaw | Human Rights Watch. Accessed March 13, 2015.
"Government Restrictions on Religion Increase Before Arab Spring." Middle East Experience. Accessed March 13, 2015.
"The Guardian." Middle East Interactive Timeline. Accessed March 13, 2015.
Manfreda, Primoz. "The Reasons for the Arab Spring in 2011." Accessed March 13, 2015.
"Witnesses Report Rioting in Tunisian Town." | Top News | Reuters. December 19, 2010. Accessed March 13, 2015e Arab Spring: A Year Of Revolution."
IMAGES
“Free Election.” Accessed March 13, 2015. http://static2.demotix.com/sites/default/files/imagecache/a_scale_large/1500-9/photos/1351014916-tunisia-celebrates-first-anniversary-of-free-democratic-elections_1543429.jpg
"President Ben Ali Image." Accessed March 13, 2015. http://www.ethiovision.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/01/President-Ben-Ali-of-Tunisia.jpg
"Protesters Support Mohamed Image." Accessed March 13, 2015.
http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-IiunyBftKzU/TchHAsH879I/AAAAAAAAAXI/SetEwdNV6XI/s400/Mohamed-Bouazizi.jpg
“Tunisia Map 1.” Accessed March 13, 2015. http://www.vbmap.org/pictures/africa/tunusia/tunisia-map1.jpg
“Tunisia Map 2.” Accessed March 13, 2015.
http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-N_ZzCVilx2A/UpKO4ti6GcI/AAAAAAAADOk/8zBpuoPh78U/s1600/africa+map+tunisia.png
"Tunisia Military Image." Accessed March 13, 2015.
http://www.onur-coban.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/02/onur-coban-tunisia-7.jpg
"Tunisia Protest Image." Accessed March 13, 2015.
http://i-cias.com/e.o/slides/tunisian_revolution05.jpg
"Tunisia Revolution Image." Accessed March 13, 2015.
https://kacem4change.files.wordpress.com/2011/03/tunisia-s-revolution.png