Revolutions 101
The Fever Model of Revolutions
Crane Brinton (1898-1968), was a historian who studied revolutions; specifically he focused his research on learning what revolutions had in common with one another. Using the English, American, French, and Russian Revolutions as his examples he established the Anatomy of Revolution; a framework of shared themes he found in these four revolutions.
Brinton's 'Anatomy' characterizes revolutions as a fever; a sickness that should be avoided if possible and will eventually be undone (or close to it) once the revolution reaches it's end. This is a disturbing claim. Do all revolutions start off with good intentions for change but get lost along the way?
In the case of the English, French, and Russian Revolutions all four stages (symptoms, fever, terror, and convalescence) are clearly pronounced. Yet, Brinton himself admits that the American Revolution does not fit his model. Is this the exception to the rule or are their other outliers that could render Brinton's framework inadequate?
Brinton's 'Anatomy' characterizes revolutions as a fever; a sickness that should be avoided if possible and will eventually be undone (or close to it) once the revolution reaches it's end. This is a disturbing claim. Do all revolutions start off with good intentions for change but get lost along the way?
In the case of the English, French, and Russian Revolutions all four stages (symptoms, fever, terror, and convalescence) are clearly pronounced. Yet, Brinton himself admits that the American Revolution does not fit his model. Is this the exception to the rule or are their other outliers that could render Brinton's framework inadequate?
Stages of the Fever Model
Use the following links to learn more about each of the following Atlantic Revolutions