Revolution Concepts and Cycle

Revolution: A Definition

• Revolution is a significant transformation of a society's institutional structures and fundamental beliefs, achieved through popular uprisings outside of established systems.
• It represents a pivotal turning point in history, involving tumultuous and transformative events that aim to alter a nation or region.

Revolution Cycle

• Old Government (Flashpoints): Key moments of conflict between revolutionaries and the old regime. These flashpoints accelerate the revolution.
• Armed Struggle: Violent conflicts and clashes where individuals and groups take sides, often resulting in dispossession, death, and destruction.
• Grab for Power: Revolutions seek to overthrow the old regime; success depends on popular support and military strength.
• Consolidation and Confrontation: The new regime establishes power, confronts counter-revolutionaries, and addresses the issues that sparked the revolution.
• Division and Factionalism: Internal conflict and ideological divisions within the new regime may emerge.
• Radicalization: Extreme measures may be used by radical leaders to address societal issues after revolution, potentially leading to violence and war.
• Moderation: A shift back towards order and stability, often returning to policies and structures similar to the pre-revolutionary period.

Common Features of Revolution

• Quick and Rapid: Revolutions can typically last 3–5 years.
• Popular Uprising: Individual(s) or groups lead the popular uprising.
• Long Accumulation: Underlying economic, social, or political issues build over time.
• Short-Term Issues: Worsening economic, social, or political conditions in a short time create a crisis.

Gomburza's Impact on Filipinos

• Gomburza's martyrdom served as a catalyst, inspiring a wake-up call, realization, and a change in Filipino perspective about Spanish oppression.
• Their sacrifice inspired future revolutionaries, especially José Rizal, whose writings and execution further fueled the revolution.

Scientific Revolution (1543-17th Century)

• Scientific Method: A systematic approach to problem-solving involving data collection, experimentation, and analysis.
• Method Applicability: Scientific method is applicable beyond scientific fields; it drove change in history.

The Aftermath of the Renaissance

• Renaissance's Impact: The Renaissance fostered new inventions, ideas, and movements, radically altering societal structures and political thought.
• Challenging Old Beliefs: The Renaissance challenged traditional beliefs that solely relied on divine explanations.
• New Understanding of the Universe: People gained insights into the laws of nature and how the universe operates.

Age of Enlightenment (18th Century)

• Enlightenment Ideas: Enlightenment philosophers promoted equality and rights, but not necessarily open war.
• Denis Diderot: Compiled knowledge in the encyclopedia, making information more accessible.
• Thomas Hobbes: Advocated for social contract theory and absolute rule.
• Mary Wollstonecraft: Championed women’s rights and gender equality.
• John Locke: Expounded on natural rights, equality, and individual liberties.
• Emelie du Châtelet: Synthesized scientific ideas, advocating for women's education.
• Baron de Montesquieu: Proposed separation of powers, influencing French political thought.
• Voltaire: Supported freedom of speech and religion, opposing democracy.
• Jean-Jacques Rousseau: Promoted the "general will" and the importance of popular sovereignty.

French Revolution (1789-1799)

• Primary Causes: Taxation disparities, inequality, and the suffering of the Third Estate in France.
• Timeline: Key events include the Meeting of the Estates-General, the Storming of the Bastille, the March on Versailles, the Royal Family's Flight, the Dissolution of the National Assembly, the War with Austria, the Attack on the Tuileries Palace, and the Declaration of the Republic of France.
• Additional Info:
• The French Revolution marked the end of the French monarchy and the creation of a republic.
• The Reign of Terror, under Maximilien Robespierre, marked a period of extreme violence and executions of perceived enemies.

Reign of Terror

• Duration: September 1793 to July 1794
• Impact: Large-scale arrests and executions of perceived enemies.
• Numbers: Estimates of arrests and executions are in the tens of thousands.

Additional Historical Context (Compared to other events)

• Marcos' Martial Law: A similar period of authoritarian rule in the Philippines with similar characteristics of arrests, torture, and extrajudicial killings.
• It is important to compare the events with other historical context for a broader perspective