The Libyan Revolution
The people of Libya were feeling oppressed and didn't have good oppurtunities economically. After witnessing the uprisings in Tunisian the people of Libya realized it was time to take a stand. The rebellion started with a few small outbreak protests in Benghazi and quickly flourished into a full scale revolution. Similarly to the shootings at Kent State during the Vietnam War, there was shock and distress when the police and Libyan Army were ordered to fire at protestors. The revolution continued to grow until Febuary 20th when the protestors successfully overtook the city of Benghazi. By this point the United Nations were involved, helping the revolutionaries and they established and enforced a "no fly zone" to prevent attacks on citizens. The revolution pushed foward until finally on October 20, 2011, while trying to escape from Sirte, Muammar Gaddafi, former dictator of Libya, was captured and killed.
Where Is Libya?
Libya is located in Northern Africa bordering Egypt, Algeria, Tunisia, Chad, Nigeria and Sudan. It is also on the coastline on the Mediteranian Sea and it's capital city is Tripoli. The country itself is desert like and slightly larger than Alaska. The ethnic groups in Libya consist of Beber and Arab 97% whilst the non-arab population is only 3%. |
How Libya Compares:
Libya
Unemployment Rate: 30% GDP Per Capita: $0 Imports: $14.1 billion Exports: $12.93 billion |
United States of America
Unemployment Rate: 9.1% GDP Per Capita: $48,100 Imports: $2.314 trillion Exports: $1.511 trillion |
Where Will Libya Be In 5 Years?
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The best way to try and predict what society in Libya will be like in 5 years, would be to compare it to other nations who have gone through similar revolutions years ago. Russia and France had many similarities with Libya in the past. The main issue that the people were faced with in Libya was going by all the rules of their prior ruler, Muammar Gadaffi. Russia went through a similar crisis with their czar, Nicholas II. You can also compare Libya closely with France, with the fact that both their leaders said that they would solve their issues, but never did. In France, Louis XVI claimed that he would do his best to get the country out of their economic troubles just as Gaddafi had said that he would solve his nations issues by changing the constitution to his own 'Green Book.' This decision ended poorly in the end for both men, as they were both killed during the uprisings in their countries. Since Gaddafi was killed last spring, the National Transitional Council is ruling over Libya until they can find a new leader. After Stalin's power under a communist country didn't work out too well, they transitioned to a capitalistic society where people were generally more free and could own their own small industries. This improved the attitude in the country, and hopefully Libya will be able to do similar actions with a new elected leader. A good start at this, would be to change, if not abolish the rules of Gaddafi's 'Green Book.' If the government weren't so controlling, making every person read all the rules of the book every day, it may lead to some positive side effects as it did to the Russian society. We also believe that since the civil war in Libya has already ended, that people will be able to see the light at the end of the tunnel and be thankful that they had the power to overcome their unjust leader.
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Works Cited:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Libyan_civil_war
http://www.solidarity-us.org/site/node/3241
http://www.english-online.at/people/gaddafi/muammar-gaddafi-revolutionary-leader-of-libya.htm
http://thenewamerican.com/world-mainmenu-26/africa-mainmenu-27/6437-libyas-revolution
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Libyan_civil_war
http://www.solidarity-us.org/site/node/3241
http://www.english-online.at/people/gaddafi/muammar-gaddafi-revolutionary-leader-of-libya.htm
http://thenewamerican.com/world-mainmenu-26/africa-mainmenu-27/6437-libyas-revolution