The Egyptian Revolution
1952-Present
History of Movements
 Egyptian Revolution of 1952
 Overthrowing of King Farouk by the “Free Officers
Movement” military coup, lead by Nasser and Naguib
 Wider aims to overthrow pro-Western monarchies
 1977 Bread Riots
 Hundreds of thousands of Egyptians protest the
termination of state subsidies on rice, flour, and cooking
oil.
 After two days, the army was deployed and the new
policies were cancelled.
History of Movements
 2003: Demonstrations against the American-led invasion of Iraq
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20,000 participants, first time the people denounced Mubarak
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Also the first time that demonstrators mislead the police, leaving from
various mosques
 2004: Wave of strikes after July “government of businessmen” installation
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Over 2 million workers participate in over 3,000 demonstrations
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Some success: government forms two trade unions and quadruples monthly
minimum wage to 400 LE
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2006: Solidarity demonstrations for Lebanon during the Israeli assault
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2008: Solidarity demonstrations for Gaza
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In direct criticism of Mubarak’s foreign policy
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The Lead-up to 2011
 Tunisian President Ben Ali ousted in December 2010
 Some analysts warn that Egypt is likely to be next
 Others refute this possibility, citing Egyptian apathy and illiteracy
 Issues: police brutality, unemployment, poverty, low wages,
widespread corruption
 “State of Emergency” law in place since Sadat’s assassination in
1981, renewed every three years by parliament
 Egypt has experienced economic growth, but most has not
trickled down to lower classes
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Khaled Saeed
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Died June 6, 2010 under questionable circumstances in Alexandria
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Arrested by plainclothes Egyptian police for theft and weapons
possession
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Allegedly beat to death while being arrested, with multiple witnesses and
autopsy photos
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Saeed’s friends say he had footage of police in drug deal
Police claim he died of drug overdose
Named a catalyst of the 2011 revolution
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“We Are All Khaled Saeed” group (now has 800,000 members) and
silent protests
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Key Figures
 Wael Ghonim: 30 years old, AUC alum, Google’s head of marketing in
the Middle East
 Pseudonym “Al Shaheed,” or “The Martyr”
 Ran Facebook el-Baradei fan page, “We Are All Khaled Saeed,”
and Jan. 25 protest event page
 Taken by plainclothes police officers, two weeks in custody with
no information on protests
 Ayman Nour: former member of Egyptian Parliament, chairman of El
Ghad (“Tomorrow”) Party
 Imprisoned in January 2005 and from Dec. 2005-Feb. 2009.
 Ran for president in March 2005, was first runner-up with 7%
 Injured (rock to head) in 2011 protests
 Has stated intentions to run for6the presidency now
Key Figures
 Mohamed al-Baradei:
 Director General of the International Atomic Energy Agency
under the United Nations, which was awarded the Nobel Peace
Prize in 2005
 Seen as possible Presidential candidate since 2009, but
likeliness is disputed by both the people and Baradei
 Field Marshal Mohammed Tantawi of the Armed Forces:
 Served under Mubarak as Defense Minister, close ally of his
 Now functioning as Egypt’s Head of State of International
Relations for time being
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Kefaya
 Means “Enough” in Arabic, a.k.a. Egyptian Movement for
Change
 Pro-democracy movement, anti-Hosni and Gamal Mubarak
 Not a political party- a “national coalition movement” for
Mubarak’s resignation
 Launched out of 2003 demonstrations against American-led
invasion of Iraq
 Peak of strength in 2005 constitutional referendum and
presidential election campaigns, has diminished since.
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Muslim Brotherhood
 During the 2011 revolution:
 Has officially rejected violent means to secure its goals, gained
popular support by providing social services
 Denied responsibility for the beginning of the protests
 Members of the Brotherhood were detained and later released
throughout the demonstrations
 Involvement in the revolution is highly debatable: many sources
state that they had very little influence, while others claim that the
Brotherhood is waiting to take over the fragile new government
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April 6 Youth Movement
 2008: Egyptian Facebook group started by Ahmed Maher
 January 2009: 70,000 members; 98,737 as of last night
 Originally to support workers planning to strike on April 6, 2008
 Promoted “Million Man March” February 1, 2011
 Core concerns: free speech, democracy, economy, fair elections
 Members have been arrested and attacked at least three times
 1/29/2011: Wikileaks document shows US considers group goals
“unrealistic”
 One of 10 groups to meet with the Armed Forces Supreme Council on
February 16
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National Police Day Protests
 Day 1: January 25, 2011 - the “Day of Rage”
 “Police Day” commemorates a British attack on an Egyptian police station, sparking
anti-British riots across the country
 Six months later, Nasser led the Egyptians to revolution in 1952.
-The Police were seen as heroes, and a symbol of the resistance
against foreign occupation.
-Modern Egyptian police are known for corruption and brutality.
 This is a government holiday in Egypt, so businesses and schools were closed,
allowing many people to participate in 2011.
 Nationwide protests against Mubarak’s regime began. Tens of thousands of
protesters filled Cairo’s Tahrir Square, and other Egyptian cities, including
Alexandria and Suez.
 The Muslim Brotherhood denies responsibility.
The 2011 Revolution
 Day 4: January 28, 2011
 Riot police remain in Tahrir from the January 25th protests, though no major
demonstrations take place in Cairo until Friday, the 28th.
 After Friday prayer, hundreds of thousands take to the streets.
 Mobile phones & internet service is cut off by the government.
 Protesters clash with riot police, armed with tear gas (made in the U.S.A.),
water cannons, batons, and rocks.
 A curfew is set for 7 PM, but not enforced.
 As night falls, the National Democratic Party Headquarters is torched, and
police retreat from the streets.
The 2011 Revolution
 Day 4: January 28, 2011, continued
 In the absence of the police (and perhaps on governmental orders, in an
attempt to scare protesters back to their homes) looters take to the streets and
the National Museum.
 Neighborhood watch groups are set up.
 Prison breaks are announced.
 The military arrives to the welcoming arms of the people.
 Mubarak addresses the people shortly after midnight, stating that he will
dismiss his cabinet, but will not step down.
The 2011 Revolution
 Days 5 and 6: January 29-30, 2011
 Mubarak appoints a Vice President, Omar Suleiman, for the first time in his rule.
 al-Baradei addresses protesters in Tahrir Square.
 Embassies begin to encourage foreigners to evacuate.
 Curfews are continuously established and extended, but not enforced.
 Internet is still widely blocked.
 The US offers statements from President Obama, Secretary of State Hillary
Clinton, and Robert Gibbs.
The 2011 Revolution
 Day 7 & 8: January 31- February 1, 2011
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Internet is still widely blocked.
Mubarak names his new cabinet on State Television.
Worldwide, leaders call for “free and fair” elections, the reinstatement of internet access, and
nonviolent demonstrations in Egypt.
Media outlets experience difficulty broadcasting: Al Jazeera Arabic is blocked, while State
Television continues to broadcast calm images of the Nile River.
Mubarak announces that he will not run for re-election and will reform the constitution.
Clashes between pro- and anti-Mubarak protesters break out in Alexandria.
February 1st is named the “Million Man March”.
The 2011 Revolution
 Days 9-13: February 2-6, 2011
 Internet services are partially restored.
 The press is oppressed, with cameras broken and CNN’s Anderson
Cooper attacked.
 “Pro-Mubarak” protesters enter Tahrir Square on the 2nd, with some
riding horses and camels.
 February 4th is deemed the “Day of Departure”.
 The leadership of the ruling National Democratic Party resigns,
including Mubarak’s son, Gamal.
 Cairo attempts to start returning to normal: banks reopen for 3.5 hours,
and traffic police return to the streets.
The 2011 Revolution
 Days 14-16: February 7-9, 2011
 Thousands remain camped out in Tahrir square.
 The Egyptian government approves a 15% raise in salaries in an
attempt to calm the protests.
 Labor unions join street protests.
 Suleiman announces a list of constitutional amendments.
 Death tolls range from 50 to 302 since the beginning of Egypt’s
uprising.
The 2011 Revolution
 Day 17: February 10, 2011
 Gaber Asfour, Mubarak’s newly appointed Culture Minister steps down
 Mubarak addresses the people yet again amid rumors that he will be
stepping down.
 Instead, he promises the end of Emergency Law, repeats that he will
not run again, and will “continue to shoulder” his responsibilities during
this “peaceful transition”.
 Protesters in Tahrir react furiously, waving shoes in the air and calling
for mass protests the next day, Friday.
Mubarak Steps Down
 Day 18: February 11, 2011
 Background:
 President from 1981-2011, and Chairman of the National Democratic
Party
 Vice President under Sadat until assassination, survived an estimated
six assassination attempts himself
 Air Chief Marshal in Egyptian Air Force
 On February 11, 2011, Vice President Suleiman announces resignation
of Mubarak after 18 days of protests.
 Power is handed over to the Army.
Effect on Middle East
 Major uprisings in Algeria, Bahrain, Iran, Jordan, Libya, Tunisia,
Morocco, Western Sahara, Yemen
Tunisia’s Ben Ali flees to Saudi Arabia, Mubarak resigns, Jordan’s
King Abdullah names a new prime minister, Yemen President
Saleh won’t seek another term in 2013
Minor incidents in Iraq, Kuwait, Mauritania, Oman, Saudi Arabia,
Somalia, Sudan, and Syria
Use of social media such as Facebook and Twitter prominent, as
well as common demands
International Response
 Obama: Refrain from violence, maintain universal human rights,
unblock internet, concrete steps towards reform.
 “We support the people, but cannot dictate actions.”
 Criticized for not backing up rhetoric with action.
 David Cameron, Britain’s Prime Minister
 First world leader to visit Egypt since Mubarak resigned.
 Met with Tantawi, but not Muslim Brotherhood
 “What’s so refreshing... is this is not an Islamist revolt.”
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Israel’s Response
 Fear of “New Egypt”:
 “...privileges Israel’s peace treaty with Egypt over
internal Arab affairs.”
 Statements for Stability:
 Israel calls on the US and European countries to curb
criticism of Mubarak to “preserve stability in the
region.”
 Mubarak means sustained stability, even if he doesn’t
mean democracy.
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Israel’s Response
 President Shimon Peres: Hope the Egyptian people
will be granted the “freedom and hope they desire.”
Only history can judge the toppled regimes.
 Defense Minister Ehud Barak: Recent events in
Egypt do not risk Israel’s ties with its neighbor to the
south.
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Muslim Brotherhood
 Participated in talks with Suleiman as a “banned but tolerated”
organization in opposition groups
 “Few signs” of aspirations to transform Egypt into a repressive Islamist
state. Just want to participate.
 Will apply to become an official political party as soon as necessary
changes are made to Egyptian Constitution
 “No secret agenda... or eyes set on the presidency.” Calls for gradual
approach to peaceful popular reform.
 “...Rights for all: not just for Muslims, but for all Egyptians.”
 Spokesman says the peace treaty decision is up to the entire Egyptian
people
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Muslim Brotherhood
 Will not field a presidential candidate this year, and will compete for no
more than 1/4 of parliamentary seats.
 “Give a chance to other groups to form...create a balance- secular,
liberal, religious.”
 Reasons for low profile- avoid stirring fear in West and secular
Egyptians?
 Critiques: is what they say what they want?
 Until now, was only counterweight to Mubarak.
 Now faces more opposition from emerging parties, and internal
discord between liberals and fundamentalists
 Broader voter turnout could vote out Brotherhood
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Now What?
 Pan-Arabism
 Possible resurgence around common drive for
democratic freedoms
 Temporary military rule in Egypt until elections can be
held- as soon as 6 months.
 Generals imposed Martial Law on February 13th while
dissolving Parliament and suspending the constitution
 Pledge to remain committed to “all international
treaties” - including the 1979 Israel peace treaty.
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Now What?
 Former ministers being brought to court for profiteering and abuse of
public funds.
 Requests for freeze on Mubarak’s assets signify he may be held
accountable for actions.
 People stress need for follow-through
 Release of political prisoners detained without charge on February 20
 No presidential candidate from the “military establishment”
 Rumors of Mubarak’s health condition in Sharm al-Sheikh
 Egyptian court licenses a moderate Islamic party
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