Bangladesh unrest: A look at other student protests that altered history's course
Sheikh Hasina government. Throughout modern history, students have frequently played a pivotal role in regime changes or significant policy shifts. This trend is evident in numerous landmark protests across the globe, illustrating the power and influence of student movements.
In the United States during the 1960s and early 1970s, student-led protests against the Vietnam War became iconic. Campuses across America saw teach-ins, sit-ins, and shutdowns to oppose the country's involvement in the war. These actions targeted both the Johnson and Nixon administrations, as well as companies like Dow Chemicals with ties to the conflict. Thousands of students burning their drafts ultimately turned public sentiment against the war, leading to the withdrawal of American troops by 1973.
In South Africa, the Soweto Uprising of June 1976 showcased students' resistance against unequal education under Apartheid. Thousands marched in protest, only to be met with armed police, which triggered widespread anti-Apartheid protests and international condemnation of the regime. These demonstrations are credited with setting the stage for the eventual end of Apartheid.
Similarly, the Velvet Revolution in former Czechoslovakia in 1989 demonstrated the impact of student mobilization. Initially gathering in Prague to commemorate the 50th anniversary of a protester’s death in an anti-Nazi demonstration, students quickly turned their focus to protesting the communist government. Police actions against the protest only fueled the movement,
