What is the traditional definition of a revolution?

A fundamental change in the political order in a short period of time, often originally signifying a restoration of a previous order rather than a complete break.

How did the term 'revolution' originate?

The term was borrowed from astronomy, referring to the movement of celestial bodies and their complete return to a previous position.

What event is considered the first to be called a revolution?

The expulsion of the Stuart dynasty from England in 1688, known as the Glorious Revolution.

How did the French Revolution alter the term's meaning?

Despite seeking a completely new political system, the French Revolution shifted the term's meaning, yet ironically restored absolutist governments multiple times.

Why do movements often adopt the term 'revolution'?

Movements are labeled as revolutions to portray them as inherently positive or progressive, aligning with the desire to appear as the 'good guys.'

How has Karl Marx influenced modern perceptions of revolution?

Karl Marx's writings, emphasizing class struggle and economic inequality, have contributed to viewing revolutions as a natural reaction to capitalism.

What is Revolution? | Casual Historian

00:04:50

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_nrAdIB_MbY

Summary

TLDRThe video delves into the concept of 'revolution,' examining its shift from a term describing the astronomical movement of celestial bodies to its political application, denoting significant political changes often thought of positively. Historically, revolutions like the Glorious Revolution aimed to restore previous orders rather than entirely break from the past. However, events like the French Revolution redefined it to some extent, aligning it with complete political overhauls. The video's analysis highlights Karl Marx's influence in modern times, where revolutions are often associated with class struggle and economic shifts, prompting frequent usage of the term across socio-political movements. This pervasive adoption signifies rapid change, making revolutions appealing as they promise swift resolutions to societal issues.

Takeaways

🌀 The word 'revolution' originates from astronomy, denoting a circular path of celestial bodies.
⚡ The classic political definition involves a rapid change or restoration of political order.
🇬🇧 The first notable political revolution was the Glorious Revolution in England, 1688.
🇫🇷 The French Revolution redefined 'revolution' while ironically restoring old regimes.
📚 Karl Marx's ideas prevail, promoting revolutions as responses to economic inequality.
👍 Modern movements use 'revolution' to imply positive change and moral righteousness.
🔄 Many political changes termed revolutions today would not fit classical definitions.
🏃‍♂️ Revolution is appealing due to the promise of swift change.
🔑 Movements labeled as revolutions are often perceived as inherently good.
⏳ Rapid change is equated with revolutions, offering a quick fix to societal issues.

Timeline

00:00:00 - 00:04:50
The word 'revolution' is often considered in its political context, implying fundamental changes in political orders. However, its roots come from astronomy, referring to celestial shifts that eventually revert back to their original positions. Historically, 'revolution' signified a restoration rather than a complete break from the past. For instance, the Glorious Revolution in England was about restoring a previous political order. Over time, especially with events like the French Revolution, the term began to signify creating entirely new systems, diverging from its original meaning. Consequently, the modern understanding of 'revolution' expanded, encompassing various movements not originally qualifying under the classical definition.

Mind Map

Video Q&A

What is the traditional definition of a revolution?
A fundamental change in the political order in a short period of time, often originally signifying a restoration of a previous order rather than a complete break.
How did the term 'revolution' originate?
The term was borrowed from astronomy, referring to the movement of celestial bodies and their complete return to a previous position.
What event is considered the first to be called a revolution?
The expulsion of the Stuart dynasty from England in 1688, known as the Glorious Revolution.
How did the French Revolution alter the term's meaning?
Despite seeking a completely new political system, the French Revolution shifted the term's meaning, yet ironically restored absolutist governments multiple times.
Why do movements often adopt the term 'revolution'?
Movements are labeled as revolutions to portray them as inherently positive or progressive, aligning with the desire to appear as the 'good guys.'
How has Karl Marx influenced modern perceptions of revolution?
Karl Marx's writings, emphasizing class struggle and economic inequality, have contributed to viewing revolutions as a natural reaction to capitalism.

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00:00:00
what comes to mind when you hear the
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word revolution you might think of this
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or this or maybe even this but what
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exactly is a revolution it's a word
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that's thrown around so much that the
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meaning is blurred if you want to make
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an event or a movement sound more
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important just add revolution to it did
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people start growing food differently
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agricultural revolution did people start
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making stuff differently industrial
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revolution did a politician just come to
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power just add revolution to the end of
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their name but are the things we refer
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to as revolutions actually revolutions
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and why are we so obsessed with this
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idea those are the questions i'm going
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to answer first off what is a revolution
00:00:36
when we hear the word revolution we
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mostly think about it in a political
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context the common definition is a
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fundamental change in the political
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order in a short period of time this is
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a very convenient definition for people
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who like to call everything a revolution
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but its missing historical context the
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word revolution was borrowed from
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astronomy in that context revolution
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referred to the movement of celestial
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bodies in math this path is defined as a
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360 degree turn in other words celestial
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bodies always return to where they were
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before the earliest political usage of
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the term revolution described a
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restoration of some form or political
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order rather than a complete break with
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the past and we can see this definition
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applied to earlier revolutions the first
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event to be commonly referred to as a
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revolution was the expulsion of the
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steward dynasty from england in 1688
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referred to as the glorious revolution
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by getting rid of james ii they were
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restoring their protestant english
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constitution a similar reasoning was
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applied by many to the american war of
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independence by separating themselves
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from great britain the americans would
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be restoring their english constitution
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in north america the french revolution
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however is another beast entirely the
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idea of restoring any former political
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system was not on anyone's minds despite
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the desire for a completely new
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political system they still refer to
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their movement as a revolution which is
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itself a break from the historical use
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of the term up to that point ironically
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enough just as the french were busy
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redefining the term their actual
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revolution was following the classical
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definition by restoring absolutist
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governments several times given this am
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i anglophilic sensibilities i think it's
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appropriate for us to blame the french
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for our modern misuse of the term so if
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we apply the classical definition of
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revolution to the ones mentioned earlier
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the agricultural and industrial
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revolutions do not qualify however if
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you apply the definition that the french
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were simultaneously redefining and
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violating then they do but if the word
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revolution doesn't accurately apply to
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most of the terms it's attached to why
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do we use it so often the short answer
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is karl marx karl marx is one of the
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most influential political philosophers
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of the modern age the writings of karl
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marx and other socialists look at the
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world and everything in it through an
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economic lens and interpret all events
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in history as conflicts between classes
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and that mindset is pervasive to this
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day even those who don't subscribe to a
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marxist agenda are still thinking in
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terms of his vocabulary every politician
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goes out of their way to make appeals to
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the workers filipino tilt-a-whirl
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operators are this nation's backbone
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and when they are in office they are
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praised or chastised for how their votes
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or policies impact the lower classes in
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his writings karl marx wrote that the
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concentration of wealth under capitalism
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would eventually lead to revolution
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because of him we see economic
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inequality as the greatest sin of the
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modern world and so the pervasiveness of
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marx's thought in the modern world
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combined with our natural inclination to
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support the underdog in any conflict
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leads to us perceiving revolution as
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being inherently good everybody wants to
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be the good guys this is why so many
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movements are referred to as revolutions
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if you're fighting for a revolution then
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you must be the good guy and to support
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anyone else in said conflict would mean
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that you are supporting the bad guys and
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therefore are yourself a bad guy if you
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want to be on the right side of history
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then you must be seen as a revolutionary
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because of this every politician
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including those on the right portray
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their campaigns as a revolution this
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line of thought is so pervasive even
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adolf hitler referred to himself as a
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revolutionary there's one more reason
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why we like the idea of revolution the
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possibility of rapid change the world is
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never as we want it to be and the
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changes we want never happen fast enough
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the great appeal of revolution is the
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speed at which things change think of a
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cause you're passionate about now
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picture that cause being resolved
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overnight just like that you get what
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you want without having to raise a
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finger making revolution the political
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equivalent of a get rich quick scheme so
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there you have it a word whose meaning
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has changed adopted as a means of change
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because we want someone else to change
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[Music]
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[Music]
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you tell me that it's evolution
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well you know