Revolutions
MWH C. Corning
Nov. 2009
Essential Questions

What is a revolution?

What are common chararcteristics
of revolutions?

What causes revolutions?
Review of Revolutions in History







American – pgs 206-211(Ben & Agnes)
French – pgs 217-224 (Nathan & Alex M)
Latin American – pgs 247-252 (Alex P & Jin
Woo)
European (1815 – 1848) – pgs 255-257
(Alex T, Simmmi & Earl)
Ireland – pgs 320 – 321(Jumpei, Non & Sue)
Mexico – pgs 388-393 (Brianna & Kristin)
Iran – pgs 552 – 553 (Takahiro & Pasin)
What is a Revolution?

A sudden or significant change in the
Economic, Political or Social
structure/system of a nation by the
governed. This change is often by force
and is usually swift and permanent.
Revolutions are caused by:







Government actions not reflecting the will of
the people.
People believe that they have no other way of
influencing the government policies or
implementing reforms.
Poverty of the people.
Unequal/unfair land distribution.
People being denied their rights.
Government trying to control too many aspects
of people’s lives.
Government corruption.
Causes of Revolution (cont.):





Political, Social, Religious and Economic
inequalities and/or injustices.
Anger over inherited wealth and social position;
lack of social mobility.
Introduction of new Social, Political and
Economic Ideas from either inside the country
or outside influences.
Organized leaders offer a vision of a better
future.
Poor performance in war/military actions.
Causes of Revolution (cont.):





Inequalities between religious or ethnics groups
within the nation.
Poor government response to crime, disease,
famine, natural disasters, etc.
Poor economic decisions by the government.
Shortage and/or increase in prices of food and
consumer goods.
People disagree with the political, economic or
social structure/system of the nation.
Characteristics of Revolutions?





Public protests, demonstrations and/or strikes.
Government attempts to use soldiers or police
to break up protests.
Government imposes curfews, jails protest
leaders; possibly kill those who oppose their
rule.
Violence, disorder, bombings, terrorism and
chaos.
Civil disobedience – non-violent, purposeful
disobeying of the government.
Characteristics of Revolutions:
New ways of thinking about politics,
economics and/or society.
 Resistance by those who favor the status
quo (counter-revolution!)
 Use of propaganda by both sides.
 Radicals seize control of the revolution.
 Migration – people flee the country.
 Military coups.
 Intervention by other nations.
 Civilian deaths and destruction of property.

Theories - Revolutions
Crane Brinton:
 Phase One – Preliminary Stage
1. Class Antagonism
2. Government Inefficiency
3. Inept Ruler
4. Intellectual Transfer of Loyalty
5. Failure of Force
Brinton’s Theory
Phase Two – First Stage
1. Financial Breakdown
2. Government Protests Increase
3. Dramatic Events
4. Moderates Attain Power
5. Honeymoon Period

Brinton’s Theory
Phase Three – Crisis Stage
1. Radicals Take Control
2. Moderates Driven from Power
3. Civil War
4. Foreign War
5. Centralization of Power in a
Revolutionary Council Dominated by a
Strong Man

Brinton’s Theory
Phase Four – Recovery Stage
1. Slow, Uneven Return to Quieter Times
2. Rule by a Tyrant
3. Radicals Repressed
4. Moderates Gain Amnesty
5. Aggressive Nationalism
