Lokashakti Encyclopedia - Movements

Movements and historical events where nonviolent action was used entirely or in large part
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IRA Hunger Strikes

A significant contribution to the field of nonviolence came in the late 1970s with the prison hunger strikes undertaken by members of the Irish Republican Army. This went a long way towards demonstrating that acts of nonviolent protest could become far more influential and effective than acts of terrorism.

Kyrgyzstan's Tulip Revolution

A people power movement in March 2005 aimed at forcing out Kyrgyzstan's increasingly autocratic ruler, Askar Ayakev. Through public demonstrations and persistence in the face of increasingly violent repression, the movement won over a majority of Kyrgyzstan's population and forced Ayakev's resignation.

Latvia's Independence Movement

Starting with the human rights watch group Helsinki '86, Latvia's nonviolent movement to achieve independence from the former Soviet Union succeeded in 1991, and even included plans for civilian-based defense in the event that the Soviet army attempted to re-invade.

Lebanon's Cedar Revolution

After the assassination of Lebanese prime minister Rafiq Hariri in February 2005, this nonviolent movement, in little over two months, succeeded in getting Syria to withdraw its army from Lebanon, after having occupied the country for 29 years.

Lithuania's Independence Movement

Citizens' groups in Lithuania, including notably the Catholic Church, led this impressive campaign of nonviolent resistance and nonviolent coup defense against Soviet occupation. Lithuania became an independent state in 1991.

Montgomery Bus Boycott

Sparked by the refusal of activist Rosa Parks to give up her seat on a Montgomery city bus, a strategic year-long boycott of that city's bus system ensued. The first domino to fall, Montgomery ushered in the most successful era in the history of American Civil Rights.

Ousting a Guatemalan Dictator

Inspired by recent events in El Salvador, in 1944 the Guatemalan people launched a nonviolent movement to overthrow the military dictatorship of General Jorge Ubico, ushering in a 10-year period of democratic rule known as the springtime of democracy.

People Power Revolution

The movement to remove Filipino dictator Ferdinand Marcos, and reinstate elections after almost 15 years, was jolted into action by the 1983 assassination of opposition leader Benigno Aquino. Aquino's wife Corazón picked up her late husband's mantle, and in 1986 herself became elected president.

Plowshares Movement

The Plowshares Movement has been a series of recurring direct actions against the weapons necessary for governments to wage war. Plowshares activists nonviolently invade military facilities to try and live out as faithfully as they can the Old Testament injunction to beat swords into plowshares.

Russian Revolution of 1905

A two-year-long movement in Russia employing nonviolent tactics to gain reforms and increase power in local government. Building momentum between February's Bloody Sunday and the Great October Strike, the movement came to threaten the very rule of Czar Nicholas II.



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  • Bios   ( 23 )
    Inspirational noteworthy figures in the history of nonviolence, peace, and social justice
  • Groups   ( 24 )
    Groups and organizations that have played significant roles in nonviolent movements
  • Concepts   ( 18 )
    Important concepts related to peace and nonviolence, especially in regards to nonviolent action
  • Movements   ( 26 )
    Movements and historical events where nonviolent action was used entirely or in large part