Abstract This paper analyzes the fragility of new revolutionary governments. It compares and contrasts two revolutions in order to explain its points. It looks at the FrenchRevolution of 1789 and the ChineseRevolution of 1911. The paper discusses each revolution and shows why the new government in each case was a fragile and unstable political environment.
From the Paper "From outside China, Sun and other revolutionaries attempted to form a new revolutionary party. Sun, having noted that Shikai had out manoeuvred the revolutionaries at every turn, decided to consolidate the various factions into one larger group that could respond better to the President's actions. Sun was to be in total control of this confederation of rebel organizations. Thus even the revolutionaries of China had reverted to an authoritarian model, one that many of the smaller revolutionary sects considered completely wrong. It was during this time of tenuous and dispirited rebel planning to topple Shakai that World War I erupted, and parts of China were occupied by Japan, completely disrupting the revolutionary process and leaving Shakai more or less completely unopposed."
Abstract This paper provides a historic and economic perspective on the events that lead to the Russian and Chinese communist revolutions. The author first describes the Russian Revolution and the factors that contributed to the overthrow of the Czarist regime. In particular, the 1905 Revolution is seen as a precursor to the 1917 Communist Revolution. The paper then describes how the events in Russia influenced China, and how the ChineseRevolution took a different path than Russia's. The results of both revolutions are traced to present day.
From the Paper "The soviets were to play an important role in the 1905 Revolution and, subsequently, in the 1917 Revolution. By definition, the soviets were "impromptu working-class governing bodies" and "strike committees", but by the end of 1905 they had become successful alternatives forms of local governments, especially in the large cities. Lenin would be ready to speculate this in 1917 and assimilate the soviets as the entities ready to fill in the void of power formed."
Tags: communism, Russia, China, revolution, Karl, Marx, Mao
This paper reviews the book "Engendering the ChineseRevolution" by Christina Gilmartin, which provides a portrait of the women active in the Chinese Communist and Nationalist parties in the 1920s.
Abstract This paper discusses the book "Engendering the ChineseRevolution: Radical Women, Communist Politics, and Mass Movements in 1920s" by Christina Gilmartin which shows that despite the efforts of various Chinese feminists, both male and female, the patriarchal nature of society created a gender system within the Chinese Communist Party, which ultimately reinforced traditional roles. The author states that the book focuses on Xiang Jingyu, one of the most well known women in the era fighting for reform in education and other facets of social equality. The paper explains that this book also deals with the extreme revolutionary period of 1925-27 through the First United Front, the alliance between the Communist and Nationalist parties.
From the Paper "The Communists adapted Soviet models of propaganda, cultural symbols, and organization to mobilize the worker population, both male and female, in assisting the formation of a new nation-state in full equality- at least that is what the posters, articles, and orators exclaimed. The urban and rural student populations were especially targeted as both recruiting areas and distribution systems for party literature. The propaganda during the Northern Expedition against the warlord factions was particularly graphic; it detailed the horrific acts the troops carried out against women."
A look at how the Chineserevolution influenced literature during the early 1900s specifically focusing on Lu Xun and his novel "The True Story of Ah Q".
Abstract The paper is an account of the Chineserevolution including Sun Yat-Sen, the Ch'ing Dynasty, the Wen Zi Yu laws , the Confucius way of thinking, and a biography of Lu Xun himself. It discusses how Lu Xun was able to capture the essence of the Chinese people during the revolutionary times. It also details the significance of Ah Q's name and its significance to the story. A major point that is made in this paper is how fictional Ah Q is a representation of Lu Xun's world, and how he represents the common man by giving many examples. It also demonstrates how Lu Xun's characters in "The True Story of Ah Q" represent the resistance and the promotion of the changes that were taking place in China during their revolution.
From the Paper "The last dynasty to ever rule in China was the Qing/Ch'ing Dynasty. This particular dynasty was very corrupt and did not meet the needs of its countrymen and women. "The Ch'ing dynasty was established by the Manchus, who invaded China and captured Beijing in 1644, and lasted until 1911. The term Ch'ing means "pure," and it was used to add legitimacy to an alien rule" (The Columbia Encyclopedia, Sixth Edition. 2001). It is ironic to see that the term Ch'ing means 'pure', because it was anything but pure. The Ch'ing dynasty had kept its people oppressed by not responding to their everyday needs. Literature was even under attack when the Wen Zi Yu laws went into effect. The Wen Zi Yu laws outlawed anybody to write anythng against the government, and it also let the government control what was acceptanble and what was unacceptable (Wikipedia Encyclopedia : online sorce). "
Tags: ah, ch, chao, confucianism, dynasty, freedom, liberation, lu, q, qing, ren, republic, sen, sun, wen, xun, yat, yu, zi
Abstract This essay examines the role of the farming peasantry of France in pushing forward the FrenchRevolution. What grievances and suffering had the peasants endured that led to open revolt in 1789, and what revolutionary responses did they take? While not representative of the political or intellectual strength that provoked the FrenchRevolution, the peasant's role in toppling the old regime cannot be ignored. This essay describes and evaluates that role.
From the Paper "It should be said before beginning that during the initial struggle between the status quo and the other classes (aristocracy, bourgeoisie, workers), the peasants had played little or no role. In fact, they had literally no part in "provoking" the first responses and revolts, and before July, 14, 1789 there was scarcely any question of the peasants. Their grievances and complaints were of little interest to the National Assembly, in which they had no members (Lefebvre 131). Yet, if one examines the story of the French peasantry and evidence provided by Georges Lefebvre, it can be argued that they had had been suffering longer and had more to complain about than any of the other classes of French society and that their actions in July and August, 1789 were utterly crucial ones. In the end, it was the mass peasant uprising of 1789 that pushed forward the revolution, destroying the remnants of the manorial and feudal system, and finally bringing all the non-aristocratic social classes in France fully together in their efforts to topple the status quo."
Abstract The paper argues that a fundamental shift to a more i just society, with a beauracratic and rational culture, and a country with less oppression and more individual freedom and opportunity is what evolved out of the work of the first French revolutionaries, such asNapoleon Bonaparte. Napoleon did much to promote and advance the wide-ranging social, economic, and cultural changes that arose from the FrenchRevolution, and it is this legacy and its completion by Bonaparte that this essay focuses on. The principles are divided into several areas: religious, legal, educational, and economic, as well as comments on the institution of the military.
From the Paper "In addition, the seizure and sale of church lands was finally declared irrevocable and purchases of biens nationaux were guaranteed to the new property owners. The Church would never regain its unearned wealth and economic power. To put it simply, under the Concordat the Catholic Church was no longer an independent corporation within the state, but a body of salaried state servants dependent on the government."
This essay explains and analyzes the events that led the Catholic Church from being a privileged and influential class under the monarchy to playing a relatively minor role in the life of the French nation only a decade later.
1,190 words (approx. 4.8 pages), 2 sources, 2001, $ 40.95
Abstract This essay examines the sequence of events that led the Catholic Church and its clergy from being a privileged and influential class prior to the FrenchRevolution to playing a relatively minor role in the life of the nation after the Revolution.
From the Paper "The most audacious and bold attacks on the Church, however, came in the formation of two new religions during this period. In late 1793, in Paris and other large cities, a new religion was founded. The worship of "gods given by nature" and requiring no priests was proclaimed."
Abstract This paper is an analysis of four different articles. The articles that the paper reviews, discuss the different revolutions of China and what common factors they have. The paper also discusses the question 'what were the strengths of these parties and how have they affected China today?' And 'What part did the elites and social groups have in the revolutions? '
From the Paper "Discussions of the Red Party and various revolutionary parties in China are often discussed, but what were the strengths of these parties and how have they affected China today? What part did the elites and social groups have in the revolutions? Revolutionaries needed the support of the people in masses in order to achieve their goals. Comparing Mao's analysis of social foundations of Communist support and Nationalists in the Chinese Communist Party with a study on class analysis of Maurice Meisner's and Mary Wrights viewpoints will show that there are common threads in all of the revolutionists."
Abstract The paper looks at the modern as well as older interpretations of the FrenchRevolution to determine to the extent of the impact that the Revolution had on the French Nation. The paper determines the newer perspectives position that the Revolution had less to do with the lasting French identity, and that the political aspects of the Revolution are central to the French Nation.
From the Paper "The French Revolution lasted from 1789 through 1799, and was sparked by the varying views regarding reform as held by the French people. The French Revolution left certain lasting effects upon the French Nation, such as elements of the written constitution, the Code Napoleon and a sense of loyalty to their land. Thus, the claim that the French Revolution constructed the French Nation could in part be shown as true as it certainly altered the mentality of the French people. However, although for many years a stable interpretation had been achieved pertain to the Revolution; these have been lately abandoned in an attempt to view this event from new social, intellectual, cultural and political dimensions."
Abstract This junior level paper is on "How did the American Revolution contribute to the outbreak of the Frenchrevolution?" It includes that what independent factors propelled the French to the revolution? Sources.
Tags: AMERICAN STUDIES AND HISTORY / AMERICAN REVOLUTION, american frenchrevolution
Abstract The time before the FrenchRevolution was called the Old Regime. Under the Old Regime France was a nation with a large population, a powerful army and a glamorous court system. Paris, the capital, was the center of culture. Educated people in all of Europe spoke French, read French literature and copied French customs. France seemed to be the leading nation in a glorious age. Nevertheless, according to this paper, the FrenchRevolution actually had roots deep in 18th century French society. More specifically, the paper explains that, in spite of the political, economic, and military power France held under the Old Regime, the stability of the Old Regime was already at risk because of serious troubles brewing beneath the surface that had been ignored for too long.
This paper reviews the major events of the 20th century: the ChineseRevolution, Russian Revolution, India's independence, World War I and Treaty of Versailles, and World War II.
Abstract This paper explains that the prime motive for the ChineseRevolution was to solve the political and economic problems that plagued the Chinese society: feudalism and semi-feudal patterns of relations in agricultural production. The author points out that the success of the Russian Revolution greatly influenced and inspired the anti-imperialist movement and colonial forces across the globe, especially the Indian independence movement. The paper stated that the Second World War is considered to be the bloodiest war in the history of the world.
Table of Contents
ChineseRevolution Russian Revolution Indian Independence Movement
World War I and Treaty of Versailles
World War II
From the Paper "Though the Revolution in Russia, against the autocratic Tsars is supposed to have started in 1905, with the Bloody Sunday, it is in 1917 that revolution gathered momentum with Moscow joining the Revolution following the Petrograd fire. The background of the revolution is described by Trotsky as "The disorganised, compromised, disintegrated government at the top, the army shaken to the depths, the discontent, uncertainty and fear among the ruling classes, deep bitterness in the popular masses, the numerically developed proletariat tempered in the fire of events"all this gives us the right to say that we are witnessing the beginning of the second Russian revolution.? "
Abstract This essay compares the American, English, and FrenchRevolutions. In doing so, the author examines the leaders of these revolutions and their motives. He also looks into the history behind the forces that drove the people to revolt in each case. With much discussion of military conflicts, consequences and societal impact of the revolts both before and after.
From the Paper "The American Revolution was started by people with strength and hope. The Americans were heavily taxed by the British without having any representation in government, and British troops were brought in to prevent rebellion. People like Samuel Adams, Patrick Henry, and Thomas Paine favored independence from the British and inspired many people to follow them, even though to more than half the colonists the idea of war was worse than British rule. Samuel Adams was a Harvard graduate and a master politician who constantly pushed for a confrontation with British authority. As a delegate to the Virginia Legislature, Patrick Henry advocated the repeal of the Stamp Act and in 1775 called for the use of Virginia's militia against England, comparing British rule to slavery for colonists. Thomas Paine published a pamphlet called "Common Sense" pointing out that colonists should separate from a repressive government; over 500,000 colonists bought the pamphlet and it inspired them to remain loyal to the revolution."
Abstract This essay describes and analyzes the social forces: economic, politcal, and ideological, that caused the FrenchRevolution. The paper emphasizes the inevitability of radical change in 1789.
From the Paper "It is clear that the ancient regime of late 18th century France was ripe for radical change, and I believe the conditions present in French society in 1789 did necessarily point toward a revolutionary solution. Although Owen Connelly points out that contemporaries judged the Revolution a great surprise, I believe that if they had understood the nature and variety of social forces "in play" during that particular period they would have recognized the approach of revolution. This essay will examine social forces: economic, political, and ideological, and evaluate how they combined to create the necessity of revolution in France in 1789."
Abstract This paper argues that there were multiple factors which caused the FrenchRevolution. It examines the political and royal rule at the time as well as the terrible state of the economy. It also shows the desperate state the people were in and how many of them had nothing more to lose.
From the Paper "The French Revolution did not stem from one single cause. It stemmed from a combination of factors that had been building for quite some time. The country was ready for change and on July 14, 1789, tensions exploded into what later became known as Bastille Day. This began a series of changes which eventually led to the downfall of the French Ruling Class as it was previously known."
Tags: rule, french, revolution, bastille, louis, marie, antoinette, france
