Posted on 07/19/2009 2:56:52 PM PDT by brianhumeck
In reading the tweets of @oxfordgirl in the #iranelection tweet stream, I noticed her remarks about patience. She had responded to her followers to slow down, be calm and asked that they be patient in regards to what is happening in Tehran. In essence, she was saying revolutions take time. @oxfordgirl must be a student of history because she is absolutely correct.
Let us look at the American Revolution which began with protests such as the Boston Tea Party in 1773. The Revolutionary War did not end until the American colonies and Great Britain signed the Articles of Peace on November 30, 1781. Before America could be free, protests and armed conflict lasted eight long years.
Let us look at some other revolutionary time lines:
The French Revolution lasted from 1788 until 1799 with Napoleon finally being consecrated as Emperor in 1804.
The Cuban Revolution began when former President Batista seized power with help from the army in 1952. Fidel Castro was named Premier of Cuba in 1959.
The Russian Revolution began amidst general strikes in June and July of 1914 and lasted until 1918 with skirmishes against anti-Bolshevik troops lasting a few more years.
The Carnation Revolution of Portugal officially lasted one day (April 25, 1974). This was probably the shortest revolution on record. However, this was not a revolution of the people, but a military coup. The name “Carnation” revolution comes from the military insurgents placing red carnation in the barrels of their rifles on the streets that day.
The Greek Revolution started after centuries of rule by the Ottoman Empire. In 1821, Greeks took up arms to fight for their freedom. The revolution ended eight years later in 1829 with the creation of the modern Greek state.
Regarding revolutions in Iran, there is a precedent for patience. Do not grow weary if this new revolution doesn’t end (or some might say begin) within your time schedule. Instant gratification is an injurious way to live and not part of the recipe of a successful revolution.
Let us now look at two previous revolutions involving Persia/Iran:
The Iranian Constitutional Revolution
This revolution began in 1905 and lasted until 1911. It ended over 100 years of Qujar rule. Some scholars claim that this revolution, which established Iran’s first parliament ushered in the modern era. The above picture shows a group of Constitutionalists who fought against the Qujar Dynasty who had sold out the Iranian people to the governments of Britain and Russia.
The Islamic Revolution
A parallel of sorts to this modern day revolutionary movement in Iran is the thirty year old Islamic Revolutionary movement of 1979. The forces that overthrew what most called a puppet government of the Shah, are now leaders of the oppressive government which kills protesters in the streets of Tehran today.
The Shah of Iran did not leave voluntarily. Protests against the Shah began in October 1977 with the first deaths at the hands of the Shah’s security forces in January 1978. It was not until February 1979, after the return of Ayatollah Khomeini, that the Islamic Revolution succeeded. This was a period of 3 1/2 years.
When @oxfordgirl calls for patience, most instant gratification minded Americans might say, “What is patience?” As the above notes on revolutions reveals, patience is the most crucial ingredient in any successful change in power. It is especially crucial in changes of power where the government has stolen power from the people.
While we wait, let us chant this slogan, “Peace. People. Patience!”
If the revolution is successful, and I hope it will be, then Twitter could make a new advertisment: Twitter ... the revolution WILL be televised.
Revolutions take time?
American islamic totalitarian revolution...of 2009.
took less than 9 months.
But it started with the people long ago...
try
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=W5I6ho0Qjco
He hit the nail on the head!
The American Revolution took 8 years (1776-1783)
The Second Iranian Revolution will succeed. Just give it time.
Ping
How about our revolution to take our country back from this Kenyan usurper?
I saw someone tweet...
“The revolution will be tweeted.”
: )
Yep. This new American Revolution will take time but began a month or so ago. Viva la revolucion!
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