Debate for Violent Revolutions

305 violent revolutions have succeeded since 1900 compared to a total of 21 peaceful revolutions. Many believe that nonviolence is the way to go, and violent ones are out the question. In reality, though, in many cases, violence is the only option. The people might try for rights, but in many circumstances, the government will feel threatened and kill them. Or If all the movement is doing is holding up signs, those in power will simply scoff at them and not take the revolution seriously. John f. Kennedy once said "those who make peaceful revolution impossible make violent revolution inevitable." Meaning that if no one is paying attention to a peaceful revolution, a violent one is bound to happen. Yes, violence does harm innocent citizens, but in the end, if those in power are violating natural rights, they need to be GONE. Hobbes, an Enlightenment thinker said that "words are wise men counters, they do not but reckon by them." We believe that this means that words, no matter how well thought out, may not do much.

" He who would be free must strike the first blow." Frederick Douglass said during the Civil War. The Civil War resulted in freedom for the black slaves. If the north and south didn't battle it out, America wouldn't be the place of freedom it is now. The African American slaves had absolutely no rights, therefor they were powerless and a peaceful revolution was impossible. Around 200,000 slaves were freed from there captors as a result of the war.

During the French revolution, the people had no choice but to revolt violently. Louis XVI and Marie Antoinette were living a life of luxury and parties while their people were starving slowly to their deaths. Of course, the commoners tried to overthrow them peacefully, but that simply didn't work. They had to decide: have their rights violated and starve, or to have a violent revolution. Many lives were lost, yes, but in the end, the people of France regained liberty.

To sum it up, we believe that