Revolutions: How they changed history and what they mean today

 

Revolutions – peaceful or violent, radical or reactionary – have shaped the political landscape of the world we live in today. But what led revolutionaries to action? What were they fighting against and what were they seeking to achieve? Each revolution is a product of its time, its society, its people – and the outcomes vary dramatically, from liberal reform to brutal dictatorship.

This is an essential primer on twenty-four of the most significant revolutions in modern history, from England’s Glorious Revolution of 1688 to the Arab Spring. It is narrated by contributors from around the world, each bringing their unique perspective and reflecting on the changing, sometimes contested, meaning of each revolution in its country of origin and how national identity can be shaped by memories of dissent. Whether as inspiration or warning, the legacies of these revolutions are not only important to those interested in protest, political change and the power of the people, but also impact on virtually every one of us today.

With 24 illustrations

 

Table of Contents

Introduction: Peter Furtado

The English Revolution 1642–89: Simon Jenkins
The American Revolution 1776–88: Ray Raphael
The French Revolution 1789–99: Sophie Wahnich
The Haitian Revolution 1791–1804: Bayyinah Bello
The Year of Revolutions 1848: Axel Körner
Japan: The Meiji Restoration 1867: Shin Kawashima
The Young Turk Revolution 1908: Mehmed Sükrü Hanioglu
The Mexican Revolution 1910–17: Javier Garciadiego

Peter Furtado is the former editor of History Today. His publications include the Sunday Times bestselling Histories of Nations and Great Cities Through Travellers’ Eyes, both published by Thames & Hudson.