A Varela cee mc a(e)(eLCo tra ‘Tre revolution isnot the apple that fais when it roe. You have to mate it fal’ Che Guevara ‘Revolution is the festival of the oppressed. = Germaine Greer /——— Figure 6.6 THINK-PAIR-SHARE Discuss these quotes on revolution. What are the different messages presented about the nature of revolutions? Societies around the world are constantly changing, These changes reflect the concerns and interests of the people who ive there. For the most part, these changes are gradual and, over time, societies slowly change various aspects of thei identity. In some situations though, societies experiance significant change ina short space of time that can lead to long lasting effets. This major change is sometimes known 2a revolution “The seed of revolution repression Woodrow witon Those who make peaceful revolution ‘impossible wail make violent revolution inevitable’ - John F. Kennedy Se Revolutions take place when people decide to ‘change something about socety, when they want to see a complete change and mave in a new direction. Sometimes this takes the form of a revolution to overthrow the exsting government and Poltical sytem, Revolutions should not be confused with rebellions Rebelions ae acts of resistance or valence to show clssatistacton with a particular issue. They ae usually directed against whoever has power in society atthe time. Often, rebellions are put down but sometimes they can bring about change in societies. Examples fof famous rebelions include the Peasants’ Revolt in England during the fourteenth century andthe Taiping Rebelion in China during the rineteenth century. by ConeseRevolutions usually occur over a relatively short space Cf time, and in that time frame, major change takes Jace, However, there are some revolutions, such as ndustial revolutions, that span decades. ‘evolutions can be peaceful but they can also be jolent, Many political revolutions have been peaceful such 2s the Velvet Revolution in Czechoslovakia in 983, while others have involved significant bloodshed, such as the Romanian Revolution ofthe same year. Figure 65 The Peasants’ Revolt of 1381 DISCUSS + What do you understand by the term ‘turning points of history, as referred to in Source A? + Why do you think revolutions are often described in this way? Why do soci experience eon? SOURCE A Extract rom an article on revolutions from the history website, wwevalphahistorycom Revolutions are the great tuning points of history. ‘revolution isa tumultuous and transformative event that attempts to change aration, a region o society — in same cases, even the wotd, Revolutions vary in their aims. Some revolutions, ike the Ametican Revolution, seek to overthrow and replace the politcal order. Others, lke the Russian and Chinese Revolutions, seek radical Social and economic change. One common factors that revolutions are fast moving, Ina short time often usta fe years, a revolution can bring about significant change ‘and upheaval. Most revolutions are driven by people and graupsinspied by hope, ideals and dreams of a better society. These revolutionaries challenge the old order and fight to removeit, wile the ol order strives to maintain ts Power. The outcomes are confrontation, conflict, dxuption and division, which can lead to wa, violence and human suffering, Eventually the revolutionaries emerge victorious and set about trying to create a better society. In mast cases, this proves much more difficult than they had anticipated ACTIVITY: A cartoon to represent revolution eer seers Demonstrate your understanding ofthe term ‘revolution’ by drawing a sketch of cartoon to represent it, using the information in this chapter and your own ideas. Think about how. you could bring the key concept of change int your drawingWHAT ARE THE DIFFERENT TYPES OF REVOLUTION? Political —Poltical revolutions ‘are a mere common for of revolution and usually imolve large groups of people acing to remove the existing government in a county. The French Revolutions an early example of 2 politcal revolution where there ‘was a mass uprising against the monarchy, Potical revolutions ate often inspired by leaders and political roups who offer an ‘ternative to what the system currenth provides, Famous political evolutionaris include Fidel Castro and Vladimir Leni, Rs Figure 6.6 Commemorative stamp celebrating the revolutionary achievements of Fidel Castro Social ~ Social revolutions are mass mevements to bring about some fr of social change to society. Examples of ths have included the serual revolution in the 1960s when people ‘campaigned for greater choice ‘over birth control, LGBT (lesbian, 924, bisexual and transgender) fights and availabilty of contraception. The Cl Rights Movement inthe USA during this time and the Counterculture have also been described as Social revolutions as they sought 10 bring about social change 10 improve people's nes, end discrimination or campaign against wars Figure 6.7 A Gay Pride march ‘organized in the USA in 1969, ‘Technologicalrindustrial Technological advances cn also create huge changes in societies, In recent years the expansion of digital communications into ‘our everyay lives can be sai to have revolutionized society. The industrial evolutions in Bain France and other counties during the nineteenth century were largely due to advances, in technology that allowed twemendous change to occur. Figure 6.82 ste! mil fom the feo the Instn Resolution inthe UkCultural Cultural revolutions Other cultural revolutions have Religious — Revolutions can aso look to change the identity of been more postive, for example [occur when people either reject culture in society. The most the New Culture Movement of ‘or embrace the ole of reigon in fomaus example of acultural the 1910sin China which brought society. For example, the role of revolutions that which occured new freedoms and access t0 ‘slam increased in ran after the in Mao's China during the 1960s literature and gave people more revolution of 1979. and 1970s. Orchestrated by intellectual freedom leaders ofthe Chinese Communist Paty (CCP, the Cultural evolution sought to change the ‘values in society, often with force, ‘sing young people known as the Red Guard, Ithad a negative effect on China, pushing back a Figure 6.9 Rec Guards red from economic and Social progress thet Lite Red Books during the Chinese Cutual Revolution es O 1m Figure 6.10 The 1979 Wenian Revolution REFLECTION ] Ifyou were researching a For each ofthe descriptions of revolutions below. answer the specific revolution, you would following questions need to find a range of sources to help you to develop your understanding of what happened. What do you think ‘would be the values and limitations of the folowing | \What type of revolution do you think this is? Explain your answer. + How do you think this revolution would affect the people who are living there? \What questions do you have about this revolution? Description of the revolution ] sources for stuaying aspect. | 1 Amoverent to reduce the influence of the Roman Cathol J foroksto | Church in terms of family planning and birth control within. |_|» Anewspaper from the time | county. | | + Photographs ofthe 2 Amas: movement to overthrow a dictatorship ina countryin || revolution ‘Africa The dictator ha enforced repressive polices affecting + A book written by a ‘many people inthe country. | | historian 2A courry in Asias experiencing rapid econamic change the |_| + Official government | country is setting up many industrial projects so as to modernize | | statements on the quickly. revolution 4 Arregime has introduced strict censorship and propaganda + Eyewitness accounts policies to ‘re-educate’ the population so that they more closely follow their ideology. 5 Wy do otis experience eaiton? - saseecetaesn