1. Revolutions and National States in the Atlantic World

2. Defining Revolution Theda Skocpol’s definition of social revolution
“Rapid, basic transformations of a society’s state and class structures, accompanied by, and in part accomplished through, popular revolts from below.”
Origins and accomplishments of social-revolutionary transformations include:
State structures
International forces
Class relations

3. Conditions for Revolution
James DeFronzo’s summary of conditions for revolution
1) Mass discontent, leading to popular uprising (including the peasantry in rural society)
2) Dissident elite movements (marginal elites break away from the ruling group)
3) Unifying motivations (i.e. an ideology that cuts across differences among various social sectors)
4) State crisis leading to a breakdown in the adminstrative capacity of the state (may be triggered by major war/invasion, famine, economic collapse, decolonization, etc.)
5) Permissive world context (i.e. external powers do not effectively intervene to forestall revolution

4. Revolutionary Results
Promotion of Enlightenment ideas
Freedom
Equality
Popular Sovereignty
Often limited to white men or elite classes
Inspires marginalized groups to pursue further revolution (i.e. slaves, women, etc.)
Encouragement of consolidation of national states as principal form of political organization

5. Influence of Revolution
American Revolution
“Life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness”
Successful attempt to expel the British from American colonies
Establish new constitutional government
French Revolution
“Liberty, equality, and fraternity”
Successful in abolishing old social order and establishing constitutional monarchy
Reign of Terror
Napoleon as dictator, Civil Code
Inspire Haitian, Mexican, Brazilian Revolution
Attempts to reform social and political order
Abolition of slavery
Women’s Rights

6. Conservatism v. Liberalism
Ideology- Coherent vision of human nature, human society, and the larger world that proposes some particular form of political and social organization as ideal
Justify current state of affairs
Criticize status quo
Argue for movement toward an improved society
Seek to design a political and social order appropriate for communities

7. Conservatism v. Liberalism
View society as organism that changes slowly
Condemn radical or revolutionary change- leads to anarchy
Gradual change comes about by general consensus
Approve of American Revolution, not French
View change as normal and welcomed agent of progress
Manage change in best interests of society
Support Enlightenment values of freedom and equality
Favor representative government and written constitutions
Concern with civil rights

8. Nationalism
Before nineteenth century, people tend to identify with families, clans, cities, regions, religions, etc.
Emergence of nations in nineteenth century
People identify with distinctive characteristics
Language
Customs
Cultural traditions
Values
Shared historical experiences
Intense feelings of national identity promote political loyalty
Vehicle for and result of revolutions and independence
Zionism, unification of Germany and Italy, American Revolution, WWI, WWII, etc.