From events of The French Revolution to that of Russia, from the 1969 Mass Upsurge to 2024 in Bangladesh, and from the mass uprising rocking the entirety of Algeria to Caracas, what is the one question that goes on in your mind? What is up with the term ‘Mass Uprising’?
According to let you know the exact definition of it by Cambridge Dictionary, ‘Mass Uprising is an act of opposition, sometimes using violence, by many people in one area of a country against those who are in power.’ To put it into simple words, this political event is carried on by civilians who, for a long period have undergone violence, torture, and repression by the ruling authority, which ultimately bursts into uprooting the authoritarian regime through protest, strike, and non-cooperation. This event has played a pivotal role in the dynamic change in the political situation of any nation or state.
Let’s go through some transformative impacts that the Mass Uprising had till now while discussing its causes and consequences.
Historical Overview of Mass Uprisings
The history of mankind so far has been of oppression, inequality, and violence. From the early days of civilization, people in power created the division of bourgeois and proletariat among people. That worked to keep the thrones to themselves. But at the same time, people living under oppressive rules did not always accept the continuation of it. They revolted and attempted violent protests to overthrow that power.
Such an event took place in 1789, which saw the establishment of a Republic by the overthrow of an oppressive Monarchy in France. If we move further in time, we see a change in the global political landscape with the fall of the imperial regime of Russia, which gave birth to Soviet Communism.
That surely had a profound impact on global politics. During the 1950s and 1960s, the Civil Rights movement in the United States transformed people’s attitudes toward people of different races.
In the twenty-first century, history recorded the greatest uprising of all time- ‘The Arab Spring’. It drastically changed the entire political dynamic of the Middle-eastern countries due to technology-based youth-led protests. As you know, the fall of the most tyrannical regime in the then East Pakistan of 1969 took place due to this Massive protest by civilians. Uprisings of this century further include the protests in Algeria (The Mecca of Revolutionaries). Where the main slogan chanted against a president who sought to stay in power for more than 20 years was, ‘El Chaab yourid isskat ennidam’ – ‘The people want to bring down the system.’ On account of the economic crisis, Khartoum of Sudan saw the initiation of a stronger Mass Uprising that ousted dictator Omar al-Bashir. Such events took place throughout history instilling hope of justice, freedom, and fair rule. This hope recently overthrew the most corrupt and brutal of the governments in Bangladesh at the cost of a thousand martyrs and hundreds injured.
Causes of Mass Uprisings
Time to know about some fundamental causes of uprisings now. The leading cause of these revolutions is typically discontent with the political, social, or economic circumstances. Let’s deconstruct it:
1. Political Grievances: It is the most obvious reason that leads to civil unrest and discontent of the larger population. Take for instance, the Algire Uprising or the 2024 Mass uprising of Bangladesh, larger civil discontent with the voting system, political favoritism, and lack of freedom in political participation caused the toppling of the ruling authority.
2. Economic Disparity: As I mentioned earlier, the creation of a bourgeois and a proletariat class works as a major reason for the Mass Uprising. The concentration of wealth to some close affiliates of the government, unrestrained corruption, and the burden of loans on civil people generate rage among the masses. The Mass Uprising of Khartoum in 2018 was generated due to such an economic crisis when the government lifted wheat subsidies.
3. Absence of Justice: Denying people their fundamental freedoms and rights, particularly to marginalized groups, can also lead to uprisings. There is no better example than the American Civil Rights Movement. To secure equity and justice for African Americans, leaders such as Martin Luther King Jr. spearheaded the struggle against decades of racial discrimination and segregation.
4. Repression by Culture and Religion: Mass rebellions are occasionally brought on by the repression of religious or cultural identities. For example, consider the 1857 Indian Revolt. It was partially motivated by the British colonial rulers’ perceived apathy to Indian soldiers’ religious customs and ideals.
While the causes may differ, mass uprisings often stem from a combination of these factors, as people strive for justice and equality. It’s pretty fascinating how these different factors can lead to such powerful movements, don’t you think?
Consequences of Mass Uprisings
Do you not believe that when people unite in protest, the impact can be significant and enduring even after the event is over? Yes, we are going to discuss it at once.
Let’s talk about politics first. Significant political changes frequently result from uprisings. Consider the Revolution in France, for instance. A republic was established as a result of the entire ordeal, which brought an end to the monarchy. However, the Reign of Terror was undoubtedly a significant political shift, even though things were somewhat chaotic during that time. Again, as in current instances in Bangladesh, after the toppling of the government, unrest was created which resulted in scenarios of attacks on minorities.
Then there’s the social aspect of it. Social reforms that address ingrained problems like inequality can be sparked by uprisings. The Act of Civil Rights of 1964, which ended racial segregation and discrimination in public settings, was made possible by the Civil Rights Movement in the United States.
Naturally, the economic impact must also be taken into account. The economy can be significantly impacted by revolution’s aftermath. For instance, following the Russian Revolution, there was initially a great deal of economic hardship until Lenin led the country towards a socialist economy.
And let’s not forget the global influence of uprisings. Sometimes, they can be used as a model for similar movements worldwide. For instance, after sweeping over the Middle East and North Africa like a blaze, the Arab Spring upheavals overthrew authoritarian governments in Tunisia, Egypt, and Libya. However, stability over the long run is an entirely different story.
That’s all, then! History has always been shaped in large part by mass uprisings. The ability of people to unite and demand change has been demonstrated by numerous movements, including the French Revolution, Arab Spring, Algire Mass uprising, Hong Kong protests, Uprising the Caracas, and the more recent Mass Upsurge of August 5th in Bangladesh. They have brought about significant political changes, civil rights victories, and struggles against inequality. Future upheavals may be sparked by contemporary concerns like economic injustice, digital surveillance, and climate change. This is a part of this continuous tradition of speaking up and trying to create a better world.
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Writer
Alima Zaim
Intern, Content Writing Department
YSSE