REVOLUTION 2.0Middle East Unit Lesson 4

OBJECTIVES Identify causes of the Arab Spring. Explore the role of social media in the

uprising. Identify the connection to other

protests in the region. Consider the US response to the

events. Consider the potential effects of the

protests on democracy and stability in the Middle East.

WARM UP How are the Jewish,

Christian, and Muslim religions similar?

Origins in ME Holy places in ME Monotheistic Same God/Allah Abraham People of the Book Preach Tolerance Judgment Day

T-P-S What is a

revolution?

Why is it important to learn about the Arab Spring revolutions?

Overthrow of est govt by people governed; sudden, often violent change in society

Support humanity, democracy, better life

Exciting Appreciate risks taken US ties to region Youth revolt

THE ARAB SPRING http://youtu.be/emPsmpCkrIc

WHAT CAUSED THE PROTESTS? Economic Conditions

High unemployment Low minimum wages Inflation (food prices) Class stratification

Political Conditions No democratic values! Lack voice in govt No free speech/assembly Police brutality/corruption

Who is demonstrating? Youth 15-30 College students &

grads

Fundamentalists & Opposition Groups

ROLE OF SOCIAL MEDIA Facebook ,Twitter, YouTube

Mohamed Bouazizi “We are all Khaled Said”

Jan 25th “Day of Rage” protest

Sped up pace of revolution Organize ppl Transmit info Gather support

Media Blackout Underground tech mvmtOpen pic for great paper on

topic!

US INTERESTS Economic Ties

Grain (wheat) for cotton

Oil

Political Ties “Double Bind”

Authoritarian but stabilize volatile region

Regional Stability “Productive instability”

– short term chaos good for long term Democratic change?

Rise Political Islam?

ADDITIONAL MOVEMENTS

http://www.choices.edu/resources/twtn_egypt_future.php

ACTIVITY Working in groups of 4, explore the events

surrounding the revolutions in several key Middle Eastern nations, beginning in Jan 2011.

WEBSITES FOR RESEARCH Washingtonpost.com/wp-srv/special/world/middle-east-

protests

Cnn.com/SPECIALS/2011/arab.unrest/index.html

Nytimes.com/interactive/world/middleeast/middle-east-hub.html#syria

Guardian.co.uk/world/interactive/2011/mar/22/middle-east-protest-interactive-timeline

English.aljazeera.net/indepth/spotlight/2011

REPORT OUT Status Today? Successful?

How measure success?

Major obstacles?

WATCH

http://youtu.be/wZ1jWsE5w3g

CLOSURE Revolution or protest?

Why has the US responded differently to protests in different nations?

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS This lesson was made possible in part

by resources from Brown University’s “Choices Program” – Teaching with the News Lessons Egypt’s Uprising and After Mubarak.