The People Power Revolution

A mass nonviolent uprising that ended Ferdinand Marcos's rule in the Philippines.

Background

Ferdinand Marcos had governed the Philippines since 1965 and ruled under martial law from 1972. Corruption, economic decline and repression grew, and the assassination of the opposition leader Benigno Aquino Jr. in 1983 turned many people against him.

Course of events

Marcos called a snap election for February 1986 and was declared the winner despite widespread claims of fraud. Defence minister Juan Ponce Enrile and General Fidel Ramos broke with the government, and huge crowds gathered on EDSA, the main highway of Manila, to protect them. After several days Marcos left the country on 25 February.

Legacy

Corazon Aquino became president, and a new constitution was adopted in 1987. The movement became a model for later nonviolent protests in other parts of the world.