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2011 Egyptian revolution

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In 2011, a major change began in Egypt. This event is called the 2011 Egyptian revolution.

Day of Anger marchers in street
Day of Anger marchers in street

Many people called it the 25 January Revolution. Others used names like the Revolution of Freedom or the Revolution of Rage.

A sign with the protesters demands
A sign with the protesters demands

People wanted to change how their country was run. They wanted more political freedom and better rights. They also wanted more freedom of speech and fair laws. Many people were unhappy with the way things worked under the current leader. This movement brought millions of people together from many different backgrounds.

The protests happened in several different ways.

Tahrir Square during 8 February 2011
Tahrir Square during 8 February 2011

People held large marches through the streets. They also occupied big public plazas to show they were there. Some people used strikes to stop work and put pressure on the government. Others used non-violent civil resistance to make their point. These actions were a way to demand new changes. The protesters wanted the leader to leave his office. They also wanted an end to corruption and high food prices. Many young people wanted better jobs and fairer wages.

Before the revolution, Hosni Mubarak had been the president for 30 years.

Hosni Mubarak ritratto
Hosni Mubarak ritratto

He first became leader in 1981 after the death of Anwar Sadat. Mubarak's government was part of a system that had been in place for a long time. Some people even compared his rule to an ancient Egyptian pharaoh.

Gamal Mubarak
Gamal Mubarak

There were also worries about his son, Gamal Mubarak. Many people thought Gamal might take over the presidency next. This idea made many people feel even more unhappy. The country had also been under a state of emergency for many years. This law gave the police a lot of power.

The time of the revolution was very difficult for many people.

Egyptian Revolution, Jan 29th. NDP building still burning
Egyptian Revolution, Jan 29th. NDP building still burning

There were violent clashes between security forces and the protesters. These clashes resulted in at least 846 deaths. More than 6,000 people were also injured during the unrest. In the capital city of Cairo, the streets felt like a war zone.

The port city of Suez also saw many fights. Some people even burned over 90 police stations across the country. In the middle of the chaos, some people began to loot shops. Civilian groups even formed to watch over their own neighborhoods.

Everything changed on 11 February 2011.

Tahrir Square on February11
Tahrir Square on February11

Vice President Omar Suleiman announced that Mubarak was resigning. This meant Mubarak was leaving his job as president. Power was handed over to the military group called the SCAF. This group was led by Muhammad Hussein Tantawy.

The lion of Egyptian revolution (Qasr al-Nil Bridge)-edit2
The lion of Egyptian revolution (Qasr al-Nil Bridge)-edit2

After this, Egypt went through many more changes. A group called the Muslim Brotherhood eventually won elections in 2012. Later, in 2013, General Abdel Fattah el-Sisi became the president. These events showed how much the country was changing. The revolution moved Egypt from one era into a new one.

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🖼️ Images & Media (23)
File:Tahrir Square during 8 February 2011.jpg
Tahrir Square during 8 February 2011.jpg
File:Hosni Mubarak ritratto.jpg
Hosni Mubarak ritratto.jpg
File:Gamal Mubarak.jpg
Gamal Mubarak.jpg
File:Egypt population pyramid 2005.svg
Egypt population pyramid 2005.svg
File:Flickr - Daveness 98 - Cityscape in Cairo.jpg
Flickr - Daveness 98 - Cityscape in Cairo.jpg
File:The lion of Egyptian revolution (Qasr al-Nil Bridge)-edit2.jpg
The lion of Egyptian revolution (Qasr...
Al Jazeera -Footage Of Egyptian protests...
File:Day of Anger marchers in street.jpg
Day of Anger marchers in street.jpg
File:Tahrir Square during Friday of Departure.png
Tahrir Square during Friday of Departure.png
File:Tahrir Square on February11.png
Tahrir Square on February11.png
Demonstration in Tahrir Square Against...
File:Flickr - Moe- - IMG 0262.jpg
Flickr - Moe- - IMG 0262.jpg

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