Brief Summary of “The Anatomy of Revolution”
“The Anatomy of Revolution” is a book written by a historian named Crane Brinton. In it, Brinton analysed numerous historical revolutions and found commonalities between them. He is a highly credible source for information, for he has been a McLean Professor of Ancient and Modern History at Harvard University, one of the leading universities in the world, and has a number of renowned works that have been read by numerous people. According to him, a revolution is divided into four fundamental phases:
The First Phase: Causes and Symptoms
The Second Phase: The Rising Fever
The Third Phase: Crisis
The Final Phase: Recovery
The First Phase: Causes and Symptoms
- The government is unable to successfully manage the nation. This is most likely due to their lack of money.
- Two definite opposing sides are formed: the ones against the old government, and the ones who are for it.
- The middle class is usually the group of people who are enraged by the corrupt government who is giving the non-nobles a rigorous lifestyle. Usually, there is unfair and injustice taxation.
- The government is mocked and deserted by the intellectuals, who are people with knowledge and understanding about the politics.
The Second Phase: The Rising Fever
- The middle class men’s anger is becoming stronger, and their rebellion is becoming more intense. The old government is unsuccessful in suppressing the rebellion because it is too late.
- A new form of government, which is led by the middle class, is formed. This new government will try to overthrow and replay the old government.
The Third Phase: Crisis
- There is usually violence and disaster between the two opposing sides. The ones who are involved in these are usually the military sent by the old government, and the citizens who aim to fight for justice.
- In this stage of revolution, there are two fundamental types of revolutionaries: The ones who take extreme actions to go against the government (radicals), and the ones who think about how they could overthrow the government in a more civilised fashion (moderates).
The Final Phase: Recovery
- The old government is finally replaced by a new, strong one. This new government begins the process of stabilising the nation and its economy.
- Life in the nation gradually returns to normal.