Revolutions - A justified Means of Change?
Uploaded by asdfgh_10 on Dec 12, 1999
Since the beginning of time, revolutions have directed the progression of most societies. Not only have they improved the lives of many, but they have also been the cornerstones to building some of todays most powerful and democratic countries. Most people have heard of the French and American Revolutions, however history tells us there have been hundreds more, from small town Revolution to major countries. Revolutions are justified means of change because they help to motivate and inspire people to press for rights that in turn will benefit the country and future generations as a whole.
Most revolutions occur because of widespread dissatisfaction with an existing system. Poverty and injustice under cruel, corrupt, or incapable rulers combined with social problems is a recipe for disaster. One can only push people so far. If other ways of establishing the changes that must be made does not work, then creating a revolution might be the only option left.
The French Revolution abolished absolute monarchy, feudal privileges, and serfdom, removed the estates, and established equal liability to taxation. The revolution also began reforms in the fields of education and law. How can anyone say that the revolution proved detrimental to France? The other intangible results of the revolution were embodied in its ideals, "Liberty, Equality, Fraternity," which became the platform of liberal, democratic reforms in France and Europe in the 19th century.
The American Revolution ended two centuries of British rule for the 13 colonies and created the modern United States of America. The Revolutionary era was an exhilarating and productive time for most people living in North America. In the wake of the Revolution came events as varied as the drafting and ratification of the Constitution of the United States of America, which ensured that the rights of all Americans were to be protected, and to guarantee that all people would be involved in running the country with their form of government, democracy. The basic makeup of this was to ensure that all citizens were treated equal. This prompted the phrase "Life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness".
Revolutions are not perfect, and there are always negative aspects to a revolution. They do not always create a better country, or even resolve the issues that proposing the revolution were for, and in some cases lead to worse conditions than what the country had to begin with. "When the people contend for their...