Crane Brintons Model of a Revolution The Anatomy

Crane Brinton’s Model of a Revolution The Anatomy of a Revolution n Historian Crane Brinton developed a model of the stages that revolutions often go through. n In other words, Brinton is suggesting that revolutions follow a typical pattern and order much like the generalized stages of an infection. n 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…

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

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

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

STAGE IV: TURN FROM RADICAL TO MILITARY RULE (1795 -1815) Decline: – Turn from Radicalism – Doubt Revolutionary Ideals – Moderates Return – Rule by Tyrant – Aggressive Nationalism n 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 n

STAGE V: RESTORATION (1815 -? ) n Convalesence: – Dictatorship Ends – Power Vacuum – Old Order is Restored n Events – Napoleon Defeated – Nobles Return – Louis XVIII Rules – Congress of Vienna – What’s Changed?