Violent Response to Syrian Uprising

February 2011 shook the world with the popular uprising known as “the Arab Spring.” The Arab Spring began with a Tunisian street vendor who lit himself on fire in protest of government corruption.

The Tunisian regime peacefully gave over power, but the spirit of revolution spread into Tahrir Square in Cairo, and then to the rest of the Arab world. Mubarak of Egypt was forced give over power because the military refused to break up protests. Bahrain’s revolution failed because the government had a strong hold over the military and media. In Libya and Syria, some military members defected to the protestors’ side in light of violent responses to protests.

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