The spring of 2011 produced a wave of demonstrations and revolution in the Arab world. Beginning in December, 2010 revolutions swept through Tunisia, Egypt, Libya, Bahrain, Syria and Yemen. Protests occurred on a large scale in Algeria, Jordan, Morocco and Oman. The civil resistance and social networks were typical of all these eruptions. This Reference Shelf discusses the history of these revolutions, America's role in them, their causes, impact on the world at large and their implications for the future.