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Top 10 Revolutions of 21st Century

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Revolutions have been transforming our world for the past decade or so. Social and Political movements have created a distinct epoch and left a mark which paved way for significant changes.

 

1. Information Technology Revolution:

We are amidst the information technology revolution. Within recent years, the information technology revolution has transformed North American society, leading to new types of work processes and business organizations. Schools are now connected widely by the internet and other technologies such as SmartTech. There is even less of a reliance on traditional pen and paper methods.

 

2. Orange Revolution, 2004-2005:

On November 22, 2004, thousands of peaceful protestors filled the Independent Square in Kiev to protest election results in Ukraine and the power of the elitist government to falsify election results. These non-violent protests became known as the Orange Revolution. On December 3rd, a victory ensued for Orange Revolutionists and Viktor Yushcenko supporters. The Supreme Court of Ukraine called for a recount and a new election. Under the scrutiny of international observers, this election went off without a hitch. Yushchenko succeeded over the former Prime Minister Yanukovych. As part of the Orange Revolution, the constitution changed and shifted the power from the Prime Minister to the parliament.

 

3. Egyptian Revolution, 2011:

Inspired by the Tunisian Revolution, the Egyptian Revolution of 2011 took place after a January 25, 2011 popular uprising. Multitudes of protesters necessitated the removal of Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak from power. At least 846 people killed and 6,000 were injured in clashes between the military and the people in major cities such as Cairo and Alexandria. On 11 February, Mubarak resigned from office after widespread international criticism. The military took over the country until a new president would be elected in the fall of 2011.

 

4. Tunisian Revolution, 2010-2011:

The Tunisian began in December 2010 and led to the ousting of President Zine El Abidine Ben Ali in January, 2011. Food Inflation, High Unemployment Rates and Political Corruptness were some of the grievances that revolutionists felt. The revolution sparked waves of protests in Egypt and other Arab countries (Arab Spring).

 

5. Bolivarian Revolution, 2007:

The revolution refers to a leftish social and political movement in Venezuela. The movement was led by Venezuelan president Hugo Chávez. The “Bolivarian Revolution” is named after Simón Bolívar who was prominent in the Spanish American wars of independence and achieved the independence of most of northern Latin America from Spanish rule. The Bolivarian Revolution aimed for democracy, economic independence, equitable distribution of revenues, and an end to corruption in Venezuela.

 

6. Rose Revolution, 2003:

The Rose Revolution was a popular protest over a rigged parliamentary election that triggered a political uprising. The uprising forced former Georgian president Eduard Shevardnadze to resign on November 23, 2003. Positive economic and political changes followed inside the country after the revolution, especially in the capital, Tbilisi. The lives of citizens as well as less police corruption were also sites of improvement.

 

7. Kyrgyzstan Revolution, 2005:

Kyrgyzstan’s Tulip Revolution was seen as a promising triumph of democracy. After ruling the country since its Independence from Soviet Union. President Askar Akaev was not eligible to run again in 2005. This did not stop Akaev from taking his sweet time to leave office. In fact, he had to be chased out of his office and the country before he stepped down and appointed his successor, his son.

But the years since the revolution have seen a relapse in the country’s path to democracy. In fact Kyrgyzstan has assimilated some of the more detestable aspects of its Central Asia neighbours’ authoritarianism, including Uzbekistan.

 

8. Honduran Revolution, 2009:

Members of the armed forces invaded the house of the democratically elected President of Honduras, Manuel Zelaya, and powerfully removed him to a waiting airplane which took him to Costa Rica. The revolutionaries went against the Honduran constitution which forbids anyone from altering the term limit of the President, which was four years. The attempted revolution began with Zelaya’s attempt to change the constitution and have a referendum.

 

9. Cedar Revolution, 2005:

The Cedar Revolution started with uprisings in Lebanon to protest the influence of Syria. Many demonstrators wanted the Syrian government to withdraw troops from Lebanon. They also sought to establish an independent leadership and to release the former Prime Minister, Michel Aoun, from exile. The revolution did trigger the assassination of the Prime Minister Rafik Harini in 2005.

 

10. African Green Revolution:

The New Green Revolution in Africa is being led by the same players that founded the concept in Asia. The Rockefeller Foundation leads the pack and is paving the way for entry by transnational agrochemical, fertilizer and agricultural biotechnology companies to peddle their wares. The goal is to eliminate food shortages in the African region and to boost the continent`s economy, where 16 of the 18 countries are undernourished.

 

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