Background

The January 25 Revolution 

"الشعب يريد إسقاط النظام The people want to bring down the regime"
"إرحل يعني إمشي يا إللي مابتافيهيمشي = Leave (in Classical Arabic) means leave (in Egyptian Arabic) in case you don't understand me"

Inspired by the events in Tunisia, Egyptians gathered to protest on January 25, the national holiday Police Day, calling for an end to corruption, injustice, poor economic conditions, and the 30-year-old regime of President Hosni Mubarak. Street demonstrations quickly grew into a national revolutionary movement that in 18 days removed Mubarak and his National Democratic Party (NDP) from power. In the beginning of the uprising, mass demonstrations in Cairo, Alexandria and other cities, and the occupation of Cairo's central Tahrir (Liberation) Square were met with repression and violence by police and supporters of the ruling National Democratic Party (NDP). But Egyptians broke through the wall of fear and fought back in street battles. On Jan. 27 the government shut down the Internet and mobile service providers complied with government requests to suspend service. Still the uprising continued, and the army made the decision ultimately not to act against the protesters. Mubarak's weak concessions --appointing intelligence Omar Suleiman as vice president on Jan. 29; installing a new cabinet on Jan. 31; conceding that he wouldn't run again for president nor would his son Gamal after he finished his term in Sept. 2011 -- failed to appease the Egyptian people’s demands. On Feb. 11, a day of massive “Friday of Departure” demonstrations, Mubarak was finally forced to resign. The Supreme Council of Armed Forces (SCAF) headed by Tantawi took over control of Egypt and later dissolved the legislature and suspended the constitution.

Background, Timeline, Maps - Jan. 25 - Feb. 11, 2011

E-Publications and Documentaries

Visualizations

"Politics, Popular Culture and the 2011 Egyptian Revolution" is a digital archive documenting the 25 January 2011 uprising and its aftermath through the prism of popular culture. It has been designed for both researchers and students interested in the 2011 Egyptian revolution, as well as contemporary Egypt and the relationship between politics and popular culture more broadly.

 

Select bibliography (Recent titles)

Subject Headings (Search Terms in the Library Catalog)

Search the Library Catalog to find books, journals (in print and digital), databases, DVDs, CDs and more in all campus libraries and beyond. The following are examples of Library of Congress Subject Headings used for research topic:

  • Egypt - History - Revolution, 2011
  • Egypt - Politics and Government - 21st Century
  • Protest movements - Egypt
  • Democratization - Egypt
  • Crises - Egypt - Politics and government - 21st century
  • Online social networks - Political aspects - Egypt
  • Social networks - Political aspects - Egypt
  • Twitter - Political aspects - Egypt
  • Revolutions - Arab countries
  • Arab countries - History - Arab Spring, 2011
  • Arab countries - Politics and government - 21st century
  • Protest movements - Arab countries - 21st century
  • Revolutions - Arab countries - 21st century
  • Government, Resistance to - Arab countries - History - 21st century
  • Democratization - Middle East - History - 21st century

Keyword Search Terms & Phrases

You can also start with a general keyword search. The following are suggested terms useful in catalog, database, and web searching.

  • January 25 Revolution
  • 2011 Egyptian revolution
  • Egyptian uprising
  • Egyptian protests
  • Pro-Democracy Movements Egypt
  • Revolution Egypt
  • "Arab Spring" Egypt
  • Tahrir Square
  • Days of Rage Egypt
  • #Jan25
  • #tahrir
  • #SCAF

Web Archives

"Politics, Popular Culture and the 2011 Egyptian Revolution" is a digital archive documenting the 25 January 2011 uprising and its aftermath through the prism of popular culture. It has been designed for both researchers and students interested in the 2011 Egyptian revolution, as well as contemporary Egypt and the relationship between politics and popular culture more broadly.

 

Social Media & Networks