Setting an example for all of the oppressed people in the world, on Feb. 11, after 18 days of intense struggle, the Egyptian people overthrew Hosni Mubarak, a dictator that had maintained control of the country for nearly 30 years.

Their success has resonated throughout much of the world and inspired similar events in Algeria, Yemen and other parts of the Middle East. However, beyond the removal of Mubarak, it remains to be seen how successful the Egyptian revolution will be.

Although things moved quickly after the Jan. 25 demonstrations in Tahrir Square in downtown Cairo, the Egyptian revolution was a long time coming. Economic hardship has plagued the vast majority of Egyptians in recent years, making many people desperate for change.

Around 40 percent of Egyptians live on less that $2 a day, according to the Center for American Progress. Food prices have risen drastically in recent years while wages have remained stagnant.

Reuters reported that Egypt has an official unemployment rate of 10 percent, but many believe it to be much higher. These factors have caused some people to become so poor that they are unable to afford government subsidized bread.

“For the vast majority of Egyptians, the Mubarak regime has meant grinding poverty and no hope for a better future,” said Zachary Lockman, professor of Middle Eastern and Islamic Studies and History at New York University.

These grievances, and word of successful revolution in neighboring Tunisia, inspired a group of young people to take to the streets in protest. They did so in spite of Egypt’s emergency laws which prohibit gatherings of more than five people at once.

The group in Tahrir Square was met with resistance by local police.  Still, they fought to hold their ground.  In some cases protesters even managed to force police to retreat.Through the course of the uprising, 300 activists were killed and thousands wounded by police and pro-Mubarak thugs.  Still, the peoples’ movement was not dampened by the violence.

The actions of a few quickly inspired the masses. It was reported that more than one million people came out to protest on several occasions. The protests gained international attention which added to the pressure on the regime.

On Friday, Feb. 11, Egyptian Vice President Omar Suleiman announced that Mubarak had resigned as president of Egypt, despite his previous reluctance to relinquish power. At that time, control of the country was handed over to the military. The next few days were filled with joyous celebration. Still, many are skeptical of the situation in Egypt, which is far from “returning to normal.”

“It’s too soon to say if we have actually had a revolution. We might just have had a military coup,” explained Joel Beinin, professor of Middle East History at Stanford University. “It’s not clear exactly what the supreme military council, which is now ruling Egypt, wants to do. It appears that their preference is a very minimalist reform.”

Celebrations ended rather quickly for many as they realized the same thing. The reforms offered by the Supreme Council of the Armed Forces neglect many peoples’ demands for better working conditions, wages, and job security. Many also demand the removal of corrupt CEOs, the reversal of privatization, and the ability to form unions. None of these demands have been fulfilled at this time. Also, it remains to be seen who will become the next president in six months, and whether the military is prepared to surrender its power at all.

“The head of the regime has been removed but the regime itself, in large part, still remains,” explained Ahmed Shawki, editor of the International Socialist Review, whose family still lives in Egypt.

However, it seems that the Egyptian people intend to continue what they started, regardless of the politics going on behind closed doors. Despite the military’s efforts to get people to return to work, one week after the Mubarak’s resignation, massive strikes in nearly every economic sector continue to shut down the country.

“The Egyptian people have accomplished something pretty extraordinary,” Lockman said. “It’s going to be hard to but that energy back in the box.  People want change. They don’t just want cosmetic change.  They want real changes in their lives. They want a chance to vote. They want a chance to participate in democracy.”