In what country did the Arab Spring begin in December 2010?

The widespread pro-democracy uprisings known as the Arab Spring began in Tunisia in December 2010. The catalyst for this wave of protests was the self-immolation of Mohamed Bouazizi, a 26-year-old street vendor, on December 17, 2010. Bouazizi set himself on fire in Sidi Bouzid, a town in central Tunisia, in protest after local officials confiscated his produce cart and allegedly humiliated him for not having a permit. This desperate act resonated deeply with many Tunisians who faced similar frustrations with corruption, unemployment, and a lack of dignity under the authoritarian regime.

Bouazizi's self-immolation quickly ignited widespread protests across Tunisia, fueled by long-standing grievances against the government of President Zine El Abidine Ben Ali. Citizens were fed up with high unemployment rates, pervasive political corruption, and a repressive state that offered little opportunity or freedom. The demonstrations, often referred to as the "Jasmine Revolution" within Tunisia, gained momentum rapidly, with thousands taking to the streets to demand political and economic reforms. Despite attempts by the government to suppress the unrest, the movement proved unstoppable (Review).

The success of the Tunisian uprising, culminating in President Ben Ali fleeing the country on January 14, 2011, after 23 years in power, sent shockwaves across the Arab world. Tunisia's revolution demonstrated that entrenched authoritarian regimes could be challenged and even overthrown by popular will. This inspiring outcome encouraged citizens in other Middle Eastern and North African countries to rise up against their own governments, leading to a broader series of protests, revolutions, and civil wars that collectively became known as the Arab Spring.