Mayhem in Mayhem in LibyaLibya

Maria CoulourisMaria CoulourisAPUSH- Period 2 FanaleAPUSH- Period 2 Fanale

Where is Libya?Where is Libya?Libya is located in Libya is located in Northern Africa Northern Africa between Egypt, between Egypt,

Tunisia, and Tunisia, and Algeria. It borders Algeria. It borders

the the Mediterranean Mediterranean Sea as well as Sea as well as

Chad, Niger, and Chad, Niger, and Sudan.Sudan.

Basic Facts about the Basic Facts about the CountryCountry

• Capital: TripoliCapital: Tripoli• 97% of the country is Muslim - Sunni 97% of the country is Muslim - Sunni • Official language is Arabic, but English is also Official language is Arabic, but English is also

widely spoken and knownwidely spoken and known• Very rich in oil and natural gasVery rich in oil and natural gas

Connection to the American Connection to the American RevolutionRevolution

When comparing the American revolution in the 18When comparing the American revolution in the 18thth century to the Libyan revolution in the 21century to the Libyan revolution in the 21stst century, century,

there are similarities and differences. They were similar there are similarities and differences. They were similar in that they were both essentially fighting for their in that they were both essentially fighting for their freedom and justice to be served. Another way they freedom and justice to be served. Another way they

were similar is that the French helped both revolutions were similar is that the French helped both revolutions succeed. With the American Revolution during the succeed. With the American Revolution during the

Revolutionary War, The French became allied forces Revolutionary War, The French became allied forces with the Americans to overthrow and catch the British with the Americans to overthrow and catch the British troops in Yorktown, leading to their surrender. In the troops in Yorktown, leading to their surrender. In the

Libyan revolution, the French supported them through Libyan revolution, the French supported them through the NATO, which ultimately led to their freedom. These the NATO, which ultimately led to their freedom. These revolutions are also different in several ways, including revolutions are also different in several ways, including

the time period, technology used during the Libyan the time period, technology used during the Libyan revolution that was superior to that used in the revolution that was superior to that used in the

American revolution, and the overall problems. Also, the American revolution, and the overall problems. Also, the Libyan revolution was more of a civil war whereas the Libyan revolution was more of a civil war whereas the

American revolution was American colonies against the American revolution was American colonies against the British Empire.British Empire.

Muammar Gaddafi Muammar Gaddafi • Gaddafi was born in June 1942 and Gaddafi was born in June 1942 and

died on October 20died on October 20thth,2011,2011• He He ruleruledd the Libyan Arab the Libyan Arab

RepublicRepublic from 1969 to 1977 from 1969 to 1977• He fHe formed the Free Officers ormed the Free Officers

MovementMovement in 1963 in 1963 • He took control in a peaceful and He took control in a peaceful and

bloodless coup d'état in 1969, bloodless coup d'état in 1969, overthrowing King Idris Ioverthrowing King Idris I

• He abolished the Libyan Constitution He abolished the Libyan Constitution of 1951of 1951

• ““I will not leave the country. I will stay I will not leave the country. I will stay until the last drop of blood is spilled. until the last drop of blood is spilled. Those who defy me will be executed. I Those who defy me will be executed. I will not leave. I will die as a martyr. will not leave. I will die as a martyr. Damn those who try to stir unrest.” — Damn those who try to stir unrest.” — Muammar Gaddafi, 2011Muammar Gaddafi, 2011

What’s going onWhat’s going on

• Early in 2011, protests started against Gaddafi’s Early in 2011, protests started against Gaddafi’s dictatorial rule in keeping with the Arab Spring dictatorial rule in keeping with the Arab Spring movements across the Middle East. movements across the Middle East.

• They protested and demanded that Gaddafi step They protested and demanded that Gaddafi step down, but he refused. The National Transitional down, but he refused. The National Transitional Council was then formed in Benghazi, leading to the Council was then formed in Benghazi, leading to the 2011 Libyan civil war.2011 Libyan civil war.

• On Feb 20, some 600-700 people were killed during On Feb 20, some 600-700 people were killed during the protests in Green Square in Tripoli.the protests in Green Square in Tripoli.

• Gaddafi imprisoned thousands of residents, even in Gaddafi imprisoned thousands of residents, even in hidden prisons, and ordered mercenaries to kill hidden prisons, and ordered mercenaries to kill protesters. Women and children were also sexually protesters. Women and children were also sexually abused, tortured, and raped. abused, tortured, and raped.

How America is helpingHow America is helping

• US military assistance was limited but US US military assistance was limited but US forces participated in NATO actions along forces participated in NATO actions along with other NATO members. They did all this with other NATO members. They did all this under UN authorization. under UN authorization.

• The US wanted to help protect Libyan The US wanted to help protect Libyan innocents from threats posed by Libyan innocents from threats posed by Libyan government forces.government forces.

• US and other NATO forces flew bombing US and other NATO forces flew bombing missions, conducted reconnaissance missions, missions, conducted reconnaissance missions, and flew Predator Missions to help and flew Predator Missions to help locate/destroy Gaddafi forceslocate/destroy Gaddafi forces..

PicturesPictures

Gaddafi captured!Gaddafi captured!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=g07otrwI4j4&hd=1

Gaddafi’s DeathGaddafi’s Death• After being captured in Sirte by

government opposition forces, he was beaten ultimately shot.

• His body and that of one of his sons were on display for several days as a way of proving to the public that he was really dead.

• He was recently taken into the desert at night and buried secretly with Muslim rites.

• International groups are looking into the circumstances of his death.

The Most Recent News...The Most Recent News...

• The rebels declared independence and are now seeking to form a government.

• On Oct. 27, the UN declared an end to the Libyan operations.

• Public officials are pointing to the success of US foreign policy in this conflict and note that this type of sanctioned, limited operation, by a group of countries may be a model for response in future crises.

BibliographyBibliography• http://www.shutterstock.com/pic-24917677/stock-vector-political-map-of-africa-libya.html • http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2011_Libyan_civil_war

http://news.xinhuanet.com/english2010/world/2011-03/20/c_13788820.htm • https://www.cia.gov/library/publications/the-world-factbook/geos/ly.html • http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Muammar_Gaddafi • http://www.independent.co.uk/opinion/letters/letters-libya-after-gaddafi-2374299.html • http://www.azcentral.com/arizonarepublic/opinions/articles/2011/10/21/20111021fri1-21-

us-middle-ground-libya.html • For pictures: Search on Tumblr using key words: libya, free, gaddafi • http://www.ny1.com/content/top_stories/134678/pressure-mounts-for-libya-s-gadhafi-to-

step-down • http://egyptianchronicles.blogspot.com/2011/02/genocide-in-libya-graphic.html • http://topics.nytimes.com/top/news/international/countriesandterritories/libya/index.html

• Broadcast from CNN, Week of October 24th