Revolutions

1. Revolutions MWH C. Corning Nov. 2009

2. Essential Questions • What is a revolution? • What are common chararcteristics of revolutions? • What causes revolutions?

3. 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)

4. 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.

5. 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.

6. 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.

7. 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.

8. 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.

9. 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.

10. Theories - Revolutions Crane Brinton: • Phase One – Preliminary Stage • Class Antagonism • Government Inefficiency • Inept Ruler • Intellectual Transfer of Loyalty • Failure of Force

11. Brinton’s Theory • Phase Two – First Stage • Financial Breakdown • Government Protests Increase • Dramatic Events • Moderates Attain Power • Honeymoon Period

12. Brinton’s Theory • Phase Three – Crisis Stage • Radicals Take Control • Moderates Driven from Power • Civil War • Foreign War • Centralization of Power in a Revolutionary Council Dominated by a Strong Man

13. Brinton’s Theory • Phase Four – Recovery Stage • Slow, Uneven Return to Quieter Times • Rule by a Tyrant • Radicals Repressed • Moderates Gain Amnesty • Aggressive Nationalism