Juan - the American Revolution (really more of a civil war than a revolution) is my favorite period of history to study. I do recognize some of that has to with patriotism...but it was also the most improbable of all the revolutions. And more importantly, it's the only revolution mentioned that didn't ultimately turn on itself. Generally revolutions lead to a power vacuum that bring about a worse situation than existed previously...that didn't happen here. Despite amazing odds and incredible circumstances, a ragtag group of men overcame the most powerful fighting force on the face of the planet at that time. The English were superior and more disciplined in every way. The American Revolution ultimately carried with it an ideology that I respect as well...notions of independence and natural rights are appealing to me -- again, part of patriotism I suppose. The leaders involved rose to the occassion as much or more than any collection of men ever. They pondered rights for men that up till then, men had never known. Ultimately, they changed the course of history...drastically. I can't say that about any one of the other revolutions mentioned. The Russian and French revolutions turned on themselves quickly (Napoleon & Stalin). Both nations eventually turned their backs on the ideology they clung to while dying for their cause. That didn't happen here. Much of the Spirit of '76 is alive and well today...you see it particularly among immigrants who become naturalized citizens here. They cling to this new found liberty like a child to a blanket. Perhaps even more interesting is that this was really the first revolution fought solely over ideas. It wasn't a class warfare...it was about different opinions on governance and the rights of man. Wealthy colonists risked every penny they had and their own safety in participating in the revolution. Many of them lost their homes and their families and their fortunes. They found their lives to be quite miserable because of the stances they took....and all this while facing overwhelming odds against their success. I find that facinating and admirable. Don't get me wrong... I love reading of the Russian Revolution, too. It's extremely interesting....but ultimately I don't "feel" the cause of those men like I do the Founders of this nation. Maybe that has a lot to do with my politics...but nevertheless, you asked!!! So I'm telling you...I enjoy studying the American Revolution most of all. It's easily my favorite historical topic. If any of you invent a time machine, let me know..I'd go back to witness those events in a heartbeat!
The revolution that broke up the USSR and the European Communist Bloc. Probably Lech and others at Gdansk were the initial spark to that revolution. Earlier events, such as Prague in 1968 and Hungary in '56 were harbingers, but too far distant to be directly connected to the Revolution of the 80's. Mango
Thanks for taking the time. I have to say I agree with all the things you mentioned that make the American Revolution cool. The reasons it isn't the coolest though are: It was more a 'revolt' of 'civil war' than a 'revolution' (the Revolt of the Colonies is what the British call it). What makes the American different from the other revolutions listed is that they didn't need to replace something that existed, they just need to split off from it. The French, Mexicans, and Russians didn't have the luxury of leaving their enemies on the other side of the ocean. It was small in scale. The English may have been powerful, but they really didn't devote their whole energies into winning that war. In the other revolutions, there were protracted civil wars following which makes things much more interesting. American Revolutionaries were nerds. This also makes it rather interesting because there was a lot of political philosophy mixed in. But the English and their colonies have a way of draining the life out of everything of historical interest by just being so bookish and legalistic about everything. Studying Zapata, you don't have to worry about the legitimacy of taxation without representation. Mango, I didn't really consider that one, somehow. But, I don't know if I would have included it anyway because it was more of a collapse of the Soviet system than an overthrow of it. I would have been tempted to include Gorbachev's glasnost, but I suppose that's more of an attempt at reform than revolution.
Juan -- interesting post!!! I agree with what you say...but please don't call George Washington a nerd!!! Thomas Jefferson??? sure! Ben Franklin??? yes ( but that guy pulled chicks in France like nobody's business!!! have you ever read John Adams' accounts of that?? they're hilarious!!) But George was just flat out cool, a "people person" who inspired the hell out of everyone he came in contact with.
