Revolution

Revolution, any extensive change in the constitution of a country suddenly brought about. The most important events in modern history specifically known under this name are the English revolution of 1689 (Guizot by 'Revolution' means the 'Great Rebellion'); the American revolution of 1776; the French revolution of 1789; the revolution of 1830 ('the July revolution'), which deposed Charles X. and raised Louis-Philippe to power; the revolution of 1848 ('the revolution of February'), which established the second republic; and the revolutions by which the existing South American republics (including that of Brazil in 1890, and of Chili in 1891) were established or are from time to time modified. The revolutionary period par excellence is the years 1848 and 1849. The French change of constitution in 1871 is not usually spoken of as a revolution, though in effect it was one. For the Revolutionary Tribunal, see DANTON.