a. Recount the events that took place in Judah after the death of King Josiah to the deportation of the Jews.
b. State four causes of civil unrest in a nation.
(a)
The death of King Josiah at the Battle of Megiddo in 609 BC marked the end of Judah's independence and religious reform. What followed was a rapid political and spiritual decline characterised by a series of weak puppet kings, shifting allegiances between Egypt and Babylon, and ultimately, national destruction.
After Josiah's death, the people of the land anointed his son Jehoahaz as king. His reign lasted only three months. Pharaoh Necho of Egypt deposed him, imprisoned him at Riblah, and later took him to Egypt, where he died. The Pharaoh then placed another son of Josiah, Eliakim, on the throne and changed his name to Jehoiakim, imposing a heavy tribute on Judah.
During Jehoiakim's eleven-year reign, the Babylonian Empire under Nebuchadnezzar defeated Egypt and became the dominant power. Judah became a vassal state to Babylon. However, Jehoiakim eventually rebelled against Nebuchadnezzar. He died during the Babylonian siege of Jerusalem, leaving his son Jehoiachin to face the consequences.
Jehoiachin reigned for only three months and ten days. He surrendered to Nebuchadnezzar to prevent the total destruction of the city. This led to the first major deportation, where the king, the queen mother, the court officials, and 10,000 of the "mighty of the land" (including craftsmen and smiths) were carried away to Babylon. Among these captives was the prophet Ezekiel.
Nebuchadnezzar appointed Mattaniah (Josiah’s youngest son) as a puppet king, renaming him Zedekiah. Despite warnings from the prophet Jeremiah, Zedekiah eventually rebelled against Babylon. This triggered a brutal two-year siege of Jerusalem. In 586 BC, the Babylonian army breached the walls. They burned the Temple of Solomon, tore down the city walls, and destroyed the palace. Zedekiah was captured, his sons were executed before his eyes, and he was blinded and taken in chains to Babylon. The remaining population, except for the poorest people left to tend the vineyards, was deported to Babylon.
(b)
Civil unrest refers to a situation where a significant portion of the population engages in activities like protests, riots, or strikes that disrupt public order. Below are four primary causes:
| Cause | Description |
| 1. Economic Hardship | High inflation, unemployment, and extreme poverty often trigger unrest. When citizens cannot afford basic needs like food and fuel, their frustration leads to mass protests against the government. |
| 2. Political Injustice | Perceived electoral fraud, the suppression of opposition voices, or the refusal of leaders to relinquish power can lead to civil disobedience. People take to the streets when they feel their political rights are being denied. |
| 3. Social Inequality | The marginalisation of specific ethnic, religious, or social groups creates deep-seated resentment. If a group feels systemically excluded from national resources or opportunities, it may resort to violent protest to demand equity. |
| 4. Bad Governance | Widespread corruption, police brutality, and the lack of basic infrastructure (electricity, water, roads) erode public trust. When the government is seen as indifferent to the suffering of the people, civil unrest becomes a tool for demanding accountability. |
Contributions ({{ comment_count }})
Please wait...
Modal title
Report
Block User
{{ feedback_modal_data.title }}