What were the key events that led to the outbreak of the Arab Spring?

The key events that led to the outbreak of the Arab Spring were:

1. Tunisian Revolution: The self-immolation of Mohamed Bouazizi, a Tunisian street vendor, in December 2010 sparked widespread protests against corruption, unemployment, and political repression. These protests eventually led to the overthrow of President Zine El Abidine Ben Ali in January 2011.

2. Egyptian Revolution: Inspired by the Tunisian uprising, Egyptians took to the streets in January 2011, demanding an end to President Hosni Mubarak's autocratic rule, corruption, and economic inequality. After weeks of protests, Mubarak stepped down in February 2011.

3. Libyan Civil War: Following the success of the Tunisian and Egyptian revolutions, protests erupted in Libya in February 2011, demanding the removal of long-time dictator Muammar Gaddafi. The protests escalated into a full-scale civil war, with NATO intervening to support the opposition forces. Gaddafi was eventually captured and killed in October 2011.

4. Syrian Civil War: In March 2011, peaceful protests calling for political reforms and an end to Bashar al-Assad's regime began in Syria. The government responded with brutal crackdowns, leading to the escalation of protests into a full-scale civil war. The conflict is ongoing and has resulted in a humanitarian crisis.

5. Yemeni Revolution: Inspired by the uprisings in Tunisia and Egypt, Yemenis started protesting against President Ali Abdullah Saleh's rule in early 2011. The protests continued for months, leading to a power struggle and eventually the resignation of Saleh in 2012.

These events, along with other protests and uprisings in countries like Bahrain and Jordan, collectively became known as the Arab Spring.