What began the Arab Spring?

Answer 1

The Arab Spring is the outcome of a number of repressive policies against Arab citizens from their own governments. This anger was fomenting in the Arab populaces (at different rates in different countries) pretty much since the Independence Movements secured the European Colonizers' retreat. The reason the Arab Spring did not happen earlier is that most Arabs did not believe that they had the power to overthrow their governments. The ouster of Zine Abidine ben Ali in Tunisia changed that view and encouraged Arabs in different states to revolt against their leadership.

Answer 2

The Arab Spring was sparked by the self-immolation of a street vendor in Tunisia named Mohamed Bouazizi in December 2010. His act of protest against government corruption and mistreatment ignited widespread demonstrations and calls for political reform across the Arab world.