Anatomy+of+a+Revolution

=Anatomy of a Revolution= Created by Crane Brinton, French Revolution historian


 * CONDITIONS WHICH SEEM TO BE PRESENT AS CAUSES OF MAJOR REVOLUTIONS:**
 * 1) People from all social classes are discontented.
 * 2) People feel restless and held down by unacceptable restrictions in society, religion, the economy or the government.
 * 3) People are hopeful about the future, but they are being forced to accept less than they had hoped for.
 * 4) People are beginning to think of themselves as belonging to a social class, and there is a growing bitterness between social classes.
 * 5) The social classes closest to one another are the most hostile.
 * 6) The scholars and thinkers give up on the way their society operates.
 * 7) The government does not respond to the needs of its society.
 * 8) The leaders of the government and the ruling class begin to doubt themselves. Some join with the opposition groups.
 * 9) The government is unable to get enough support from any group to save itself.
 * 10) The government cannot organize its finances correctly and is either going bankrupt or trying to tax heavily and unjustly.


 * THE COURSE THAT REVOLUTIONS SEEM TO TAKE:**
 * 1) Impossible demands made of government which, if granted, would mean its end.
 * 2) Unsuccessful government attempts to suppress revolutionaries.
 * 3) Revolutionaries gain power and seem united.
 * 4) Once in power, revolutionaries begin to quarrel among themselves, and unity begins to dissolve.
 * 5) The moderates gain the leadership but fail to satisfy those who insist on further changes.
 * 6) Power is gained by progressively more radical groups until finally a lunatic fringe gains almost complete control.
 * 7) A strong man emerges and assumes great power.
 * 8) The extremists try to create a "heaven on earth" by introducing their whole program and by punishing all their opponents.
 * 9) A period of terror occurs.
 * 10) Moderate groups regain power. The revolution is over.


 * RESULTS - Examine the results of the revolution with these questions in mind:**
 * 1) Did the ideals of the revolution change as its leadership changed?
 * 2) Were the original goals of the revolution achieved? At what point? Were these achievements conserved?
 * 3) Which social classes gained most from the revolution? Which lost? Did the original ruling group or individuals from this group return to power?
 * 4) How was the old political, social, and economic order of society [//Ancien Regime//] changed as a result of the revolution?

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