Revolutions – Appendix 8- Wars Both Foreign and Domestic

Intro

In this episode of the “Revolutions” podcast, sponsored by Harry’s, Trade Coffee, and BetterHelp, we explore the aftermath of successful revolutions and the wars that often follow. We delve into the dynamics of domestic wars, conflicts between revolutionary factions and restorationist groups, and the international dimension of revolutions. Join us as we uncover the complexities of post-revolutionary warfare and its impact on the trajectory of revolutions.

Main Takeaways

Revolutionary Wars

• Successful revolutions are often followed by war.
• Domestic wars are a constant in all revolutions.
• Wars between revolutionary factions and restorationist groups can occur after revolutionary victory.
• Restorationist groups may initially aim to restore the ousted sovereign, but often shift to restoring the former regime generally.
• Restorationist factions are always present but not always strong enough to challenge new revolutionary regimes.
• Intra-revolutionary conflict can break out along lines of socioeconomic class, geographic regionalism, political ideology, religious belief, and personal conflict.
• Civil war-ish conflicts between victorious revolutionaries can break out along socioeconomic and regional lines.
• Conflicts can be less about ideology and more about regional factionalism, as seen in post-independent Spanish America.
• Revolutions often lead to further civil wars and restorationist groups taking advantage of disunity among revolutionaries.

International Dimension

• International dimension is vital to understanding a revolution’s trajectory, as no polity operates in an isolated bubble.
• Foreign neighbors are often dragged into a revolution, with aid and comfort sought from various foreign powers.
• International wars don’t usually break out when neighboring powers fear the spread of radical ideas and invade to restore the ousted regime.
• Neighbors are drawn into a war due to their interests in the neighbor’s resources, strength, and general disposition.
• Foreign powers often back factions in neighboring countries that align with their interests for political stability and commercial profits.
• Revolutionary wars are not always started by foreign powers looking to invade or destroy the revolution, but by the revolutionaries themselves seeking to expand their power.
• Sometimes neighboring countries or foreign powers are not opposed to revolution and may even support it for their own benefit.

Militarization and Backlash

• Revolutionary epochs are militarized epochs, involving military mobilization on a large scale.
• Military service provides opportunities for upward mobility and creates leaders and heroes.
• Foreign powers may support revolution for their own benefit.
• Civil wars and foreign wars require sacrifices, leading to resentment and backlash against the revolutionary regime.
• Conscription can be a major driver of resentment and backlash against the revolutionary regime.
• Dodging the draft became a cause for local celebration, creating enormous amounts of resentment and distrust between people and their governments.
• Requisitions by armies often seem anathema to the idea of liberation, creating further resentment towards the revolutionary regime.
• Constant warmaking has a profound effect on the course of the revolution, leading to draconian measures and radical challenges to the regime.
• The common people endure criss-crossing armies, conscription, and requisitioning, often leading to huge battles causing pain, suffering, and destruction.
• The radicalization of the revolution is inevitable, with those who started it suspected of being weak-willed traders who can no longer be trusted with power.

Summary

Revolutionary Wars and Domestic Conflicts

Successful revolutions are rarely followed by a period of peace. Instead, domestic wars become a constant presence in the revolution’s aftermath. These conflicts can arise between revolutionary factions and restorationist groups, and they often revolve around issues of socioeconomic class, regionalism, political ideology, religious belief, and personal conflicts. Restorationist groups may initially seek to restore the ousted sovereign, but their goals can shift to restoring the former regime more broadly. Intra-revolutionary conflicts can also break out along socioeconomic and regional lines, as seen in post-independent Spanish America. These internal divisions weaken the revolutionary cause and provide opportunities for restorationist groups to exploit disunity among revolutionaries.

The International Dimension of Revolutions

Revolutionary movements do not exist in isolation; they have an international dimension that significantly shapes their trajectory. Neighboring countries are often drawn into the conflict, as revolutionaries seek aid and support from foreign powers. However, international wars are not always triggered by neighboring powers seeking to restore the ousted regime. Instead, neighboring countries may become involved due to their interests in the resources, strength, and general disposition of the revolution’s target. Foreign powers also play a role in backing factions in neighboring countries that align with their political stability and commercial profit interests. Revolutionary wars can even be initiated by the revolutionaries themselves, as they seek to expand their power beyond their borders. In some cases, neighboring countries or foreign powers may support revolution for their own benefit.

Militarization, Backlash, and Radicalization

Revolutionary epochs are marked by militarization, with large-scale military mobilization becoming a defining characteristic. Military service provides opportunities for upward mobility and creates leaders and heroes within the revolution. However, the sacrifices required by civil wars and foreign wars often lead to resentment and backlash against the revolutionary regime. Conscription, in particular, can be a major driver of discontent, with people celebrating draft dodging as an act of defiance against their governments. Requisitions by armies, which seem contradictory to the idea of liberation, further fuel resentment towards the revolutionary regime. The constant warmaking takes a toll on the course of the revolution, leading to draconian measures and radical challenges to the regime. The common people endure the consequences of criss-crossing armies, conscription, and requisitioning, resulting in immense pain, suffering, and destruction. Over time, the revolution becomes radicalized, with suspicion cast upon the initial revolutionaries, who are seen as weak-willed traitors unfit for power.

Conclusion

Wars, both foreign and domestic, are an integral part of revolutions. The aftermath of successful revolutions is often marked by domestic conflicts, restorationist movements, and the involvement of foreign powers. These wars and militarization lead to resentment, backlash, and radicalization within the revolutionary regime. Understanding the dynamics of post-revolutionary warfare and the international dimension of revolutions is crucial to comprehending the complexities of these transformative periods in history.