Peoples Springtime Events

The Spark of Revolution peoples_springtime.1

"I understand there is some concern that weaponry used in the … revolution might find its way into neighboring countries and end up in the wrong hands. I fear not the gunpowder, but what might ignite it. Not every man desires power for its own sake, but if he is convinced he has been cheated out of his share, he may view it as his duty to claim it. What could be more dangerous than the idea that power belongs to the people?"

Echoes of Revolutions peoples_springtime.2

A current of radical liberal thought is spreading internationally and has recently reached ….

"Why should I concern myself with the freedom of the press? All they print is rubbish!" "If you knew what sort of rubbish doesn't make it to print, you may find the distinction between varieties more important than you'd think."

A Revolutionary for Our Time peoples_springtime.3

A voice for the liberalism currently on the rise has resonated with the ….

"I don't know what to make of this new style of politics. It seems tactless to make demands this recklessly." "When one argues that the premises for what constitutes political tact are themselves flawed, a bit of tactlessness can help drive home the point."

The Good Word of the Revolution peoples_springtime.4

Proponents of liberal reforms are looking to spread their ideas to our neighboring countries.

"What if the revolution fails? What if the … people are not ready for these ideas?" "Then we will have planted a thousand seeds, and when … is ready, the fruit of those trees will seed our future."

Stirring Radicalism peoples_springtime.5

The radical liberal currents in parts of … are causing local revolutionary activity.

"So this is only local groups causing a ruckus? No nationwide coordination?" "Well, the only thing we can know for certain is that if there is nationwide coordination, it's coordinating to conceal itself."

End of Spring peoples_springtime.6

The international trend of radical thought and revolutionary sentiments is coming to an end.

"Perhaps it is too early for us to agree whether our attempts ended in success or failure. I would like to believe we have set in motion forces which will continue to advance our goals long after the fires of this era have gone out."

The Revolution Victorious peoples_springtime.7

The Revolution has brought an end to monarchial power, and crushed the counter-revolution before it could arise. The … people shall have their Republic.

"This is not a time to rest and admire our work! How many a revolutionary has not failed to seize their moment, only to find their achievements swept away like sand castles by the tides of history? Power has slipped from the hands of tyrants and we must assure they can never seize it again."

The Revolution Vanquished peoples_springtime.8

The effort at a liberal revolution led by Radical leaders in … has been suppressed by the powers that be reasserting their power and pushing the Radicals into obscurity.

"There have always been efforts by the lower and middle classes to seize power, but they rarely manage to hold onto it once they have it. It is fortunate that this attempt has been brief and fruitless, or untold damage could have been done to the traditions and social order of …."

The … Revolution peoples_springtime.9

Inspired by the revolutionary wave spreading across Europe, revolutionaries in … have assembled to make demands of the …. They call for …, a democratic constitution, and the establishment of a ….

The crowd was spilling towards the …'s residence, now, kept back only by a thin wall of stone-faced soldiers. Insults and street detritus flew towards the row of bayonets and cannon, sending the horses' tails lashing. In the commercial districts, the retailers which had elected not to join the march were boarding up their shops. Further yet behind the impromptu lines, the workers had uprooted lamp-posts to batter down the city gates. The broken pipes cast an ominous half-glow over the streets.

Red … peoples_springtime.10

The revolutionary surge in Europe has swept a liberal government into power in …. This fragile liberal order is threatened by both conservative forces who wish to reverse their gains, and radicals who threaten a new revolution.

"I found in the capital a hundred thousand armed workmen formed into regiments, out of work, dying of hunger, but with their minds crammed with vain theories and visionary hopes. I saw society cut into two: those who possessed nothing, united in a common greed; those who possessed something, united in a common terror. There were no bonds, no sympathy between these two great sections; everywhere the idea of an inevitable and immediate struggle seemed at hand." —Alexis de Tocqueville, The Recollections of Alexis de Tocqueville

Peace, Liberty, and Concord peoples_springtime.71

The liberal government in … has successfully overcome the twin threats of renewed absolutism and social revolution. The period of revolutionary upheaval has come to a peaceful end.

"There is nothing more fruitful in wonders than the art of being free; but there is nothing harder than apprenticeship in liberty." —Alexis de Tocqueville, Democracy in America

Peoples Springtime 91 peoples_springtime.91