Revolution in Tunisia — challenging authority
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Flip to reveal answersWhat is the December Revolution (also called the Jasmine Revolution)?
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Question
What is the December Revolution (also called the Jasmine Revolution)?
Answer
Weeks of mass street protest across Tunisia, sparked by Mohamed Bouazizi's self-immolation on 17 December 2010, that forced President Ben Ali to flee on 14 January 2011.
Question
Who was Mohamed Bouazizi and why does he matter?
Answer
A street vendor in Sidi Bouzid who set himself on fire on 17 December 2010 after police harassment; his act sparked the protests that became the December Revolution.
Question
When did Ben Ali flee Tunisia, and after how long as ruler?
Answer
14 January 2011, ending 23 years of authoritarian rule (in power since 1987).
Question
What is Ennahda and who led it?
Answer
A moderate Islamist party led by Rachid Ghannouchi, banned under Ben Ali, that won the most seats in the October 2011 Constituent Assembly election.
Question
What is Nidaa Tounes and who founded it?
Answer
A secularist, big-tent party founded in 2012 by Beji Caid Essebsi, uniting anti-Islamist voters; it defeated Ennahda in the 2014 elections.
Question
Compare Ennahda and Nidaa Tounes.
Answer
Ennahda: moderate Islamist, previously banned, won 2011. Nidaa Tounes: secularist, drew ex-regime figures, won 2014. Both later formed a coalition government together.
Question
How did social media challenge Ben Ali's authority?
Answer
Facebook and Twitter let activists organise protests and share videos of police violence, bypassing state-controlled newspapers, radio and TV.
Question
Why shouldn't you say social media 'caused' the revolution?
Answer
Because unemployment, repression and Bouazizi's death were the underlying causes; social media was the tool that let already-angry Tunisians organise and spread the story quickly.
Question
For Paper 1, what does Q1 test?
Answer
How the CONTENT of two sources can be used to answer the inquiry question. [6 marks]
Question
For Paper 1, what does Q2 test?
Answer
How the CONTEXT (origin, purpose, time, place) of a source shapes how it can be used. [6 marks]
Question
For Paper 1, what does Q3 test?
Answer
How the PERSPECTIVES across all the sources can be used to answer the inquiry question. [12 marks]
Question
What crisis in 2013 deepened Tunisia's political divide?
Answer
The assassination of two secular politicians, which fuelled fears about Ennahda's Islamist government and helped fuel Nidaa Tounes's rise.
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Topic 5.2 hub
Revolution in Tunisia (1989–2015)
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