Definition of Revolution: a sudden or complete change in something a radical and pervasive change in society and the social structure an overthrow and replacement of an established government or political system by the people governed “Every revolution was first a thought in one man’s mind.” - Ralph Waldo Emerson At The Bell: What do you think needs to be present in a society in order for a revolution to occur? What is happening in society? (in other words, why would people be unhappy enough to push for revolution?)

Revolutions occur when: pressure groups organize for reform, allegiance of the intellectuals switches, class antagonisms increase, governments are short of money, governments are inefficient and the governed are impatient.

 The revolutionary “fever” begins with the appearance of certain “symptoms”  It proceeds to a “crisis” stage  The crisis escalates to “delirium” ends when the “fever” breaks  A period of “recuperation” follows, interrupted by a “relapse” or two before the recovery is complete. Crane Brinton, a French Historian and Harvard professor, wrote the text The Anatomy of Revolution in In it he compares the dynamics of revolution to a fever or disease:

Revolutionary Fever Delirium Relapse & Recuperation Crisis Symptoms

Fill out the “revolutionary fever chart” with information from the handout titled France: The Road to Revolution and the video on the French Revolution

What to look for… Symptoms = causes Crisis = escalation to revolution Delirium = moderates vs radicals Relapse = strong leader unites people and grabs power Recuperation= moderate minds prevail, a new definition of “normal” is established

Commoners 3rd Estate Aristocracy 2nd Estate Clergy 1st Estate The Estates-General tradition is for each estate to have ONE vote 1 1 1

Commoners 3rd Estate Aristocracy 2nd Estate Clergy 1st Estate The Third Estate delegates suggest that each delegate receives ONE VOTE!

Symptoms = causes Enlightenment ideas Social inequality Weak leadership Economic crisis

Crisis = the escalation Estates General called Third Estate demands reform National Assembly declared Storming the Bastille Declaration of the Rights of Man and the Citizen March of the Women National Assembly reforms

Delirium = radical phase Prussia and Austria invade France French Republic established King dethroned Convention set up King put on trial and executed Reign of Terror

Relapse = reactionary phase Robespierre arrested and executed The Directory takes over Napoleon stages a coup, imposes new constitution, and declares himself first consul