1. Crane Brinton’s Model of a Revolution
The Anatomy of a Revolution
Historian Crane Brinton developed a model of the stages that revolutions often go through.
In other words, Brinton is suggesting that revolutions follow a typical pattern and order much like the generalized stages of an infection.
Let’s see how it works using the French Revolution, as he did, as our model. Remember when France sneezes all of Europe catches a cold!
You say you want a Revolution…

2. STAGE I: FALL OF THE OLD ORDER/PRELIMINARY (1774-1789)
Incubation:
Class Antagonism
Govt. Inefficiency
Inept Ruler
Challenging Intellectual Ideas
Economic Crisis
Events:
Unfair Old Régime System
Weak Rule of Louis XVI
Rise of Democratic & Enlightened ideas
American Rev. Debt

3. STAGE II: RULE BY MODERATES ( 1789-1792)
Prodromal / Mild Symptoms:
Financial Breakdown
Govt. Protests Increase
Dramatic Events
Moderates Attain Power
Honeymoon Period
Events:
Estates General to National & Legislative Assemblies
Bastille / Bread Riots
Const. Monarchy Established
Declaration of the Rights of Man and of the Citizen

4. STAGE III: THE TERROR / RULE BY RADICALS (1793-1795)
Boo!
STAGE III: THE TERROR / RULE BY RADICALS ( )
Full Illness / Infection:
Problems Persist
Radicals Take Control
Revolutionary Council /Strong Man Domination
Extreme Changes
Foreign War
Events:
National Convention
Robespierre
Reign of Terror /Executions
Republic Established
Nobles Flee
Wars w/ Foreign Coalitions

5. STAGE IV: TURN FROM RADICAL TO MILITARY RULE (1795-1815)
Decline:
Turn from Radicalism
Doubt Revolutionary Ideals
Moderates Return
Rule by Tyrant
Aggressive Nationalism
Events:
Thermidorian Reaction
Directory Established
Napoleon’s coup d’etat of 1799
Plebiscite 1800/Concordat of 1801
Crowned Emperor 1804
Napoleonic Code
Napoleon’s Empire

6. STAGE V: RESTORATION (1815 -?)
Vive la France!
Mon Dieu!
Did I really just say that?
Convalesence:
Dictatorship Ends
Power Vacuum
Old Order is Restored
Events
Napoleon Defeated
Nobles Return
Louis XVIII Rules
Congress of Vienna
What’s Changed?