Call to Order

Do you think that it is the United States’ job to promote democracy in other countries if

that country has an authoritarian government? Why or why not?

Objective

Political Scientists will be able to compare the revolutions of Egypt and Libya and create a plan for a new government for Libya using principles of democracy.

Yesterday we learned about the revolution in Egypt. Today, we’re looking

at the ongoing revolution in Libya.Egypt – Hosni Mubarak

• Mubarak ruled for 3 decades

• Had increasing control over undocumented detention facilities, and institutional mechanism to increase term of the presidency.

• Was overthrown in 18 days.

Libya – Col. Muammar Gaddafi

• Longest ruling non-royal leader since 1900 (41 years)

• Abolished Constitution and based the country’s rule on the Green Book

• Acquired chemical weapons, supplied Irish Republican Army

• Currently in hiding.

Film Focus: Answer the questions on your worksheet as you watch.

February 16th, 2011

Unrest Reaches Libya

The government toppling protests that began in Tunisia and Egypt lead to rebellions against Colonel Qaddafi in several Libyan cities.

Check for Understanding• Why might citizens in Libya have felt

inspired by the rebellion in Egypt?

February 23rd, 2011Qaddafi cracks

downHe vows to kill

protestors “house by house”. Eastern cities in Libya are all taken by rebels and are out of his control.

February 24th, 2011Military

begins to rebel

Masses of rebels swarm Tripoli. Defections of military officers multiply.

Check for Understanding• Why is the defection of military

leaders a significant loss for a dictator like Qaddafi?

• How is this similar or different from Egypt?

February 25th, 2011Clashes erupt in Tripoli.Qaddafi forces upon gunfire on

citizens.

Check for Understanding• How is this similar or different than

the Tiananmen Square Massacre?

February 26th, 2011U.N. Security

Council Imposes Sanctions

The U.N. Security council votes to impose sanctions (punishments) on Qaddafi because of his attacks on citizens.

March 5th, 2011

Qaddafi’s forces fire on unarmed protestors

Col. Qaddafi counterattacks with brutal force on unarmed citizens in front of international news media.

March 13th, 2011Arab League

Endorses a No-Fly Zone

The U.N. Security council votes to impose sanctions (punishments) on Qaddafi because of his attacks on citizens.

Check for Understanding• What is the U.N.?• What is a No-Fly

Zone?• Why would the U.N.

security council choose to enforce a No-Fly Zone rather than put troops on the ground right away?

March 17th, 2011U.N. Passes

Resolution for Military Action

American and European armies send troops to enforce a No-Fly zone in Libya, to prevent Qaddafi from using air power against rebels.

April 3rd, 2011Sons offer

DemocracyTwo sons of Col.

Qaddafi offer to transition to country to a constitutional democracy.

April 16th, 2011Qaddafi uses

cluster bombs in civilian areas

Cluster bombs are banned by much of the world. This adds urgency to the arguments of Britain and France that NATO should step in.

April 17th, 2011Obama Seeks

Refuge for Qaddafi

Even though he has not yet lost, Obama looks for another country where Qaddafi can stay if kicked out of Libya.

April 30th, 2011Qaddafi offers

to negotiate but not to leave

He wants a cease fire but will not give up his post.

April 30th, 2011

Qaddafi’s Youngest Son Killed

NATO airstrike kills Qaddafi’s son as well as three grandchildren

June 27th, 2011International

Criminal Court issues warrant for Qaddafi’s Arrest

With no police of their own, they are at the mercy of other countries’ armies.

August 18th, 2011Rebels seize

Oil RefineriesThis cuts

Qaddafi off from one of his major economic assets. Qaddafi goes into hiding.

August 23rd, 2011Rebels seize

TripoliRebels invade

Qaddafi compound. There is no sign of Qaddafi, but Russian intelligence says that he is alive and well in Tripoli.

October, 2011Qaddafi

Whereabouts Unknown, Transitional National Council is in place. Elections are still 8 months away.

Read the Article “Libyan Rebels Clarify Steps to New Rule”

• What is the current government in Libya like?

• What problems will the Transitional National Council have to solve?

• How do you propose that they solve these problems?

SynthesisWrite a letter to the Transitional National

Council in Libya in which you outline the steps they must take to establishing a functional democracy within the year. You must answer the following questions in your writing:What problems existed under Muammar Gaddafi?Summarize what happened during the revolution.What principles of democracy should they

implement in their new Constitution?What will it look like if they implement these

principles successfully?