7 Stages of Revolution7 Stages of Revolution

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Mr. LutkeMr. Lutke

BackgroundBackground

In 1938 Crane Brinton published a book titled In 1938 Crane Brinton published a book titled The Anatomy of RevolutionThe Anatomy of Revolution. He believed that . He believed that most revolutions fit into 7 stages. most revolutions fit into 7 stages.

These stages are explained in the following These stages are explained in the following slides. slides.

This presentation also uses the American This presentation also uses the American Revolution as an example to explain the Revolution as an example to explain the stages. After the presentation think about how stages. After the presentation think about how well you think the stages fit the American well you think the stages fit the American Revolution.Revolution.

1: Normal1: Normal

This is the person or group in power This is the person or group in power before the revolution takes place. before the revolution takes place. The regime that gained power The regime that gained power through traditional means. through traditional means.

Ex: King of England (in power before Ex: King of England (in power before the American Revolution)the American Revolution)

2: Criticism of Existing Regime2: Criticism of Existing Regime

When When intellectualsintellectuals begin to publicly begin to publicly criticize the regime in power. It can be criticize the regime in power. It can be spoken or written criticism.spoken or written criticism.

Exs: Thomas Paine’s book, Exs: Thomas Paine’s book, Common Common SenseSense, and the 1, and the 1stst Continental Congress Continental Congress getting together to criticize the King or getting together to criticize the King or other “founding fathers” criticizing the other “founding fathers” criticizing the King and England’s rule of the colonies. King and England’s rule of the colonies.

3: Widespread 3: Widespread DissatisfactionDissatisfaction

This stage is when many people join the This stage is when many people join the criticism and the intellectuals’ “movement.”criticism and the intellectuals’ “movement.”

A large portion of the population jumps on A large portion of the population jumps on the bandwagon and criticizes the person or the bandwagon and criticizes the person or group in power. group in power.

Ex: Boston Tea Party or other protests by Ex: Boston Tea Party or other protests by the colonists. Not just the wealthy, the colonists. Not just the wealthy, intellectuals criticizing the British; many intellectuals criticizing the British; many join in. join in.

4: Transfer of Power4: Transfer of Power

Those who supported the Those who supported the revolution/movement gain power and revolution/movement gain power and begin reforms or changes. begin reforms or changes.

Ex: Declaration of Independence – Ex: Declaration of Independence – declares the colonies independent declares the colonies independent and puts the “founding fathers” in and puts the “founding fathers” in power. power.

5: Civil War5: Civil War

War between old and new regime. People War between old and new regime. People in the old regime do not want the in the old regime do not want the revolution, and the new regime wants revolution, and the new regime wants power and wants change. power and wants change.

Ex: Revolutionary War – Britain and Tories Ex: Revolutionary War – Britain and Tories or loyalists fight against those for or loyalists fight against those for independence and freedom in the colonies independence and freedom in the colonies known to the British as rebels.known to the British as rebels.

6: Reign of Terror6: Reign of Terror

Winner of the war often uses terror and Winner of the war often uses terror and violence to maintain or gain order and violence to maintain or gain order and control of the people and any dissenters. control of the people and any dissenters.

Ex. There was no “real” reign of terror in Ex. There was no “real” reign of terror in the American Revolution. Though the American Revolution. Though colonists did attack, tar and feather, and colonists did attack, tar and feather, and even kill loyalists prior to and during the even kill loyalists prior to and during the revolution. revolution.

7: Thermidorian Reaction7: Thermidorian Reaction

A period of recovery from the “fever of A period of recovery from the “fever of revolution” (Brinton 205).revolution” (Brinton 205).

Often strong decisive leader takes power Often strong decisive leader takes power or is in power and brings the country back or is in power and brings the country back to normalcy.to normalcy.

Ex: George Washington becomes Ex: George Washington becomes president, and the country returns to president, and the country returns to peace. peace.

To what extent do you think To what extent do you think

the American Revolution fit the American Revolution fit into Brinton’s 7 Stages?into Brinton’s 7 Stages?