Throughout the annals of history, there have been numerous instances wherein ordinary citizens have taken to the streets to express their discontent with issues that directly affect their lives. While not all protests carry significant weight or bring about lasting change, there are those that possess the extraordinary ability to reshape nations or even give birth to them. Since the dawn of civilization, protests have served as a vital means for the masses to articulate their concerns, question authority, and pave the way for positive transformations in society.
March on Washington
America’s history is fraught with civil unrest and protests. Many of these protests and conflicts stem from a similar place: race relations. Slavery ended in the 19th century, 1865, to be more specific, but that didn’t mean The US was where it needed to be with equality. Segregation existed in many forms across the country in the form of Jim Crow laws. These laws were designed to separate white and black Americans through discrimination in African Americans’ ability to vote, get an education, hold jobs, etc.
Tiananmen Square
If we look at China, we know it not to be a nation of protests, and that’s for good reasons. For over a century, the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) has been known for having a tremendous amount of power and influence over its people. It’s a very complex country, known for many things, both good and bad, but it’s not known for its protests or uprising because they rarely occur.
The Storming of the Bastille
The end of the 18th century saw France on the verge of bankruptcy thanks to involvement in the American Revolution and the spending habits of King Louis XVI. This compounded with the reality that the country was experiencing several years of terrible harvests, a drought, skyrocketing bread prices, and livestock disease. This all resulted in a rise in civil unrest across the country.
South Africa’s Defiance Campaign
In 1948, South Africa began what would be a near-half-century oppression campaign known as Apartheid. Apartheid was a means to govern relations between South Africa’s minority white and majority black population. The law sanctioned segregation, discrimination, and criminalization against the black population.
Gandhi’s Salt March
India was under British rule from 1858 to 1947, and they set out a new law known as Britain’s Salt Act of 1882. This law stipulated that Indians were prohibited from collecting and selling salt. As a result of this law, Indians had to buy salt from British rulers who had a monopoly on the vital mineral and its sale. Even worse, they charged a hefty salt tax. Leading many in India to suffer, as salt was a staple in their diet.
