Caught Between the Crossfires: The Arab Springs Revolution

Mekyah Vieira
Social Studies 11


Gunfire, screams, and confusion are all factors that had circulated the revolution in the Arab
Springs. The revolutionary stream had progressively accumulated into a flood. Without much prior
warning, citizens of the Arabic countries, despondent after thirty years living under a corrupt
government, revolted on January 25
th
, 2011. Ultimately there were three key aspects involved in the
revolution: the reasons, representation, and results. These aspects offer a glance at the underlying truth
and reasoning behind the revolution that took place in the Arab Springs.

The first aspect involved in any revolution is the reasoning. In the instance of the Arab Springs
revolution there were many reasons for the revolution, some more prominent than others. One of the
more prominent reasons for the Arab Springs revolution was a desire for a new democratic government.
Before the revolution the government consisted solely of ageing corrupt dictatorships. The president,
Hosni Mubarak, had been in power since 1980 and had created an economic situation that could have
stabilized under a credible and competent government, however under his regime had been run
bankrupt both ideologically and morally. Moreover, another reason for revolution was the rampant
unemployment rates. The massive crowds of revolutionaries could not have evolved into the
phenomenon it did, had there not been pervasive discontent concerning unemployment. The fury felt
by university graduates left no choice but to drive taxis to survive, partnered with families struggling to
provide for their children on $2 a day, created socio-political divisions. Finally, there was aspiration to
have rights and freedoms, especially on behalf of women and religious groups. Although women and
various religious affiliations in many countries around the world have gained rights and freedoms, in the
Arab Springs many women had not yet gained the independence shared by other countries and the
different religions had been greatly suppressed. However, by joining the revolution women and
members of different religious groups were fighting for rights and to make an impact in the way their
society sees them. Together, these main reasons played an enormous role in the aspects involved in the
revolution.


Moreover, another major aspect of a revolution, such as the Arab Springs revolution, is the
representation. During revolutions there tends to be two fundamental representatives. One key
representative of many modern day revolutions, especially in the case of the Arab Springs, is social
media. The impact of social media is not only powerful in convincing and encouraging rebellion, but also
proves useful as a mobilization tool for starting large-scale revolutions. In fact, the first major protest in
Egypt was publicised on Facebook by a group of anonymous activists, who were able to outwit the
authorities and attract the attention of tens of thousands of people within a few days. Furthermore, the
other strong representation in a revolution is the people living within the country. People within the
country tend to have stronger opinions for what they want and feel is best for their country. During the
Arab Springs revolution, the protestors spread to almost every Arab country, copying the strategies of
other revolts, with unpredictable and spontaneous intensity. These two examples of representation are
an addition to the proof that representation is an aspect in revolution.

Lastly, the final and most important aspect, which takes place in the revolution, is the results.
Typically there is one of two potential results. The first potential result, and most devastating, is that no
major changes take place. Despite the enduring efforts put forth in an attempt to change the
unrelenting predicaments, no solutions are presented. The second potential result of a revolution, and
most encouraging, is that there are changes made. Maybe not all changes are drastic; however they are
without any doubt present. Fortunately in the instance of the Arab Springs revolution, the results were
drastically positive. The determination from the protestors resulted in the resignation of Egypts most
powerful leaders of the Middle East, Hosni Mubarak, on February 2011, crushing the wall of fear and
changing the area forever. These two outcomes prove that results are an aspect in revolutions.



In conclusion, there were ultimately three key aspects involved in the revolution: the reasons,
representation, and results. In the case of the Arab Springs revolution, the three main reasons that
proved to be the desire to overthrow the age old dictator-based government, the growing impatience
concerning unemployment rates, and a yearning for rights and freedoms regarding women and religion.
The second key concept, in regard to the Arab Springs revolution, proved to be the representation
during the revolution: social media and the people living within the country. The final key aspect of the
revolution is the results: which tend to have either a negative outcome or positive outcome. In the Arab
Springs revolution the outcome was positive. In the end, all of these proved to be aspects of the Arab
Springs revolution. Place down the guns, cease the screams, and embrace the revolution.