Introduction to “natural history of revolutions” and other ideas of Todd and Brinton.

Study Guide for Week of January 25

1. Read Todd, Revolutions 1789-1917, 1-7, 20-21, 31-32, 45-46, 51-52, 71-72, 80-81, 99-100, 111, and Review of Brinton’s, The Anatomy of Revolutions, which exemplifies the Natural History of Revolutions.
2. View PowerPoint (Online Lecture #1) about Crane Brinton’s Anatomy of Revolutions and the “natural history of revolutions” exemplified by Brinton and Todd.
3. As you are reading, write out or outline answers to the questions below. These should be in your own words as they will help you answer the online questions and when you write your paper. Even though you are asked to post answers to specific questions, you should be able to answer all of the questions below.

*Don’t get discouraged. This is difficult in the beginning.

Estimated time: reading -5 hrs.,viewing time -1 hr., answering questions, reading, and posting comments- 2.5 hrs. Total: (8.5 hrs.)

Additional reading and writing time for MLA students-(4hrs.)

Study Guide Questions:

Allan Todd:

1. Compare and contrast the documentary’s definition of revolution to Todd’s definition of revolution and to De Fronzo’s definition of “revolutionary movement.” What are the major characteristics of most revolutions?
2. Compare and contrast political and social revolutions.
3. Why do women often become involved in revolutionary activity?
4. According to Todd, what are the stages of revolution? Why do the moderates usually fall from power? (See Brinton #2 for similarities and differences).
5. On page 7, Todd lists 5 economic changes/developments that help to undermine the old order. Examine how at least 2 of these factors could have an important impact on old regime societies.
6. Examine the four conditions that Todd says may help to cause political crises. From your previous learning, give an example of one of these that applied to a revolution that you studied or read about. (See Brinton #1 for similarities)
7. Why do you think ideology plays such an important role in revolutions?
8. What effect do urban crowds often have on revolutions?
9. What is the purpose of “revolutionary terror?”
10. Explain Todd’s statement, “It became increasingly obvious to revolutionaries and conservatives alike that revolution – like economic developments – was fast becoming a globally interrelated phenomenon” (72). What are cultural, economic, and political globalization; and how does globalization affect revolutions?

Crane Brinton: (also called “a natural history of revolutions”)

1. What are some “symptoms” of revolution Brinton says are prevalent in old regime societies?
2. What stages do revolutions go through? (Also see DeFronzo 20-21).
3. Why is the Reign of Terror called the Reign of Terror and Virtue?
4. Is the “Thermidorian Reaction” virtually inevitable? Why? 
5. Do Brinton and Todd believe revolutions ordinarily accomplish all their goals? Explain. What are your views on the achievements of revolutions?

MLA  Students:

Do the undergraduate reading above, and answer Todd #6 or #8 or #9 , and Brinton #2

Review pages 2 – 4 of Goldstone and compare this to Brinton’s ideas in a detailed paragraph.    Read Goldstone 85-107.

Jonathan: briefly summarize the main ideas in Kelly and Klein’s article about the outcomes of revolutions (85-94). Compare and contrast Kelly and Klein’s ideas with those of Brinton and Todd (up to 250 words or one page).

Laura and Carly: Write an analytical summary (up to 250 words or one page) of Moghadam’s article about gender and revolutions (94 – 107).

Post these on the discussion board, following the same deadlines as the undergraduates for posting and commenting.