1. Adapted from Crane Brinton’s book, The Anatomy of Revolution
STAGES OF REVOLUTION
Adapted from Crane Brinton’s book,
The Anatomy of Revolution

2. REVOLUTION: A VIOLENT OVERTHROW OF A GOVERNMENT

3. PRELIMINARY Class antagonism
Economic upgrade, which does not reach the people
Government inefficiency
Inept ruler—Autocrat with absolute power

4. PRELIMINARY People ask for change (justice)
Autocrat attempts to stop early protests with force (terror), which fails

5. PRELIMINARY
Intellectuals transfer their loyalty from government to the people

6. FIRST STAGE Financial breakdown
Protests against government increase dramatically

7. FIRST STAGE Moderates gain power relatively peacefully
Revolutionary underground (radicals) foment revolution

8. FIRST STAGE
Mob psychology
Ignorant
Emotional
Now wants revenge

9. CRISIS STAGE Radicals take control Remove moderates
Enemies attempt to stop radicals:
Civil war
Foreign war

10. CRISIS STAGE Centralization of power in a revolutionary council
Council dominated by a “strongman”
Use common term of address

12. CRISIS STAGE
Try to kill original autocrat
Use terror to rule

13. RECOVERY Revolution turns inward Radicals removed Some killed
Charismatic autocrat comes to power

14. RECOVERY Aggressive nationalism Slow, uneven return to quieter times
People trade freedom for security

15. Adapted from Crane Brinton’s book, The Anatomy of Revolution
STAGES OF REVOLUTION
Adapted from Crane Brinton’s book,
The Anatomy of Revolution