REVOLUTIONS

OF THE

WORLD

We The People

Some Have Said…

"Those who make peaceful revolution

impossible will make violent revolution

inevitable“-JFK

"When the truth is buried underground it grows, it

chokes, it gathers such an explosive force that on the

day it bursts out, it blows up everything“

- Emile Zola

Defining Terms

Revolution

an overthrow or repudiation and

the thorough replacement of an

established government or

political system by the people

governed.

What is a Revolution

• Change can take many forms, but change is

often met with criticism and resistance

• To understand the revolution

– You must understand the message

• To understand the message

– You must understand the ingredients that

surrounded the birth of the revolution

When do they Occur

• Political Revolutions usually occur

– When an outspoken leader provides a point in

which the people voice their complaints

– Tensions between opposing parties reach a boiling

point and their emotions are unleashed through a

major event

– Major events might include the assassination of a

political leader, protests and terrorist acts

Outcome of Revolutions

• Whether successful or not revolutions always

bring about decisive change in government

therefore achieving the main goal of the

revolution

• If the change is not satisfactory chances are

events will repeat themselves towards a new

revolution

So Basically…

• Revolution is a tool for the people

• An ineffective government will definitely

come under criticism

• If the will of the people is not being followed

then a government, no matter how strong, will

fall under its own corruption

Check for Understanding

1. What is a revolution?

2. What are some reasons as to why revolutions come about?

REVOLUTIONS

OF THE

WORLD

What is Needed in a Revolution

Violation of Human Rights

• Presence of human rights

– protects people from any form of abuse

– Gives each person freedom, a voice in society and

to the right to live peacefully

– Assures equality for all people

• A violation of these rights creates chaos within

oneself that eventually affects society

Anybody who moves towards the abolishment of such rights is guilty of

taking advantage of others.This is usually brought about by the desire for

power

Failure of Government to Meet the

Demands of the People

• Main role of any government is to serve and

lead its sovereign people towards improvement

which can only be achieved through proper

communication with the people its supposed to

serve

Failure of Government to Meet the

Demands of the People

• The failure of the government comes when it

no longer sees the people as its top priority

• This usually happens when the leaders put

themselves first and work in order to attain

their personal goals

A Want for Freedom

• This is the common yearning of those who fall

victim under abuse

• When ones plea upon being violated is not

heard, these people are most likely to protest

Unanimous Realization of the Need for

Major Change

• This is the essence that motivates any revolution

• Reform is the key word

• Revolution may choose as its object a political transformation, social transformation or a simple change of powerful groups in their attempt to restore the social foundations of political power

Unity

• Unity is accomplished when one looks at what

the revolting body has in common as opposed

to their differences

Check for Understanding

1. What is needed for a revolution?

REVOLUTIONS

OF THE

WORLD

For a Revolution to Begin

To Begin a Revolution You Need

• At least two opposing sides

• Access to weapons

• Aims expressed in a slogan

• Accomplished Leaders

• Social/Economic/Political Problems

– Lack of rights

– Unequal distribution of wealth

– Lack of freedom

– Heavy taxes

– Unfair treatment

REVOLUTIONS

OF THE

WORLD

For a Revolution to be Successful

Define Aim

• The aims of the Revolution need to be defined

usually in the form of a slogan

– Liberty, Equality, Fraternity

– No taxation without representation

Leaders

• The leaders must have a social and educational

background that allows them to hold the

subsequent government together

• They must be able to produce a framework and a

coalition for a new government

• The degree of the opposition can’t be too great, or

too strong, or the revolution will continue

Check for Understanding

1. What is needed for a revolution to be successful?