Formula to Revolution

Crane Brinton

 Theory on Revolutions  Most revolutions follow the same general pattern  Can predict  Why is this important?  “Those who do not know their history are doomed to repeat it.”

 On the eve of revolution, the government has failed to meet the needs of the people, has denied political power to new and powerful social or economic groups, and has lost the support of the intellectuals.  Social classes are upset  Scholars and thinkers give up on society  The government doubts itself  The government doesn’t get support  The government can’t control the economy

 The revolution begins with a dramatic act that demonstrates the inability of the government to control the course of events.  The moderates in the revolutionary movement seize power and attempt a program of moderate reform.  Can’t satisfy everyone  The moderate reform program arouses opposition and violence—by counter-revolutionary forces within the country and by fearful foreign countries.

 To preserve the revolution in this “crisis stage”, the extremists of the revolutionary movement seize control and employ force and terror against enemies of the revolution.  More radical group  Opposition is punished  With the crisis surmounted and the public sick of the bloodletting, the terror comes to an end.  Moderates regain power

 In the ensuing period of political instability, a powerful leader emerges, seizes power, and rules as a dictator.  The public acceptance of the dictator is based on the belief that he will preserve some of the gains of the revolution while at the same time providing political stability and social cohesion.

AMERICAN REVOLUTION

The French & Indian War Fought ( ) between France & England Fought ( ) between France & England Called Seven Years War in Europe Called Seven Years War in Europe Indians ally with the French Indians ally with the French American colonists fight for GB American colonists fight for GB England wins (Treaty of Paris) England wins (Treaty of Paris) France must give all American possessions to England France must give all American possessions to England

Suddenly the English remember… The American colonies are wealthy The American colonies are wealthy The Problem: Been running their own govs and econ w/o England The Problem: Been running their own govs and econ w/o England BUT NOW: BUT NOW: England wants economic control (mercantilism) England wants economic control (mercantilism) And to pay for that expensive war… And to pay for that expensive war…

England Imposes Laws Navigation Acts (1660s) Navigation Acts (1660s) Colonists can only sell goods to England Colonists can only sell goods to England Stamp Act (1765) Stamp Act (1765) Tax on paper Tax on paper The Tea Act (1773) The Tea Act (1773) Tax on luxury goods such as tea Tax on luxury goods such as tea

So what’s the Problem? You colonists are British citizens! It’s your duty to pay taxes levied by the British government! We want to support Britain, but you won’t let us sent colonists to Parliament as representation! The parliament is British, and therefore it represents all British citizens. You’re just whining! BULLY And you are being a BULLY and we won’t take it much longer! Leave us alone or you’ll regret it!

U.S. Constitution: Enlightened Document Enlightenment Idea U.S. Constitution Locke: Government’s power comes from consent of the people. Preamble Preamble Representative government Representative government Limits government powers Limits government powers Montesquieu: Separation of Powers Federal system of government Federal system of government Powers divided – three branches Powers divided – three branches Rousseau: Direct Democracy Public election of president & Congress Public election of president & Congress Voltaire: Free Speech; Religious Toleration Freedom of Speech/Religion in Bill of Rights Freedom of Speech/Religion in Bill of Rights Beccaria: Accused have rights; no torture. Rights of accused and prohibits cruel & unusual punishment. Rights of accused and prohibits cruel & unusual punishment.