The 19th century wars of independence and revolutions set the stage for World War I, as it redrew the political map of the world. There were several causes for revolutions: resistance to colonialism; ethic nationalism, nostalgia for an imaginary, shared history; and a desire for self-determination (“Early 19th Century Revolutionary Movements”). Just as the 20th century may be considered an age of genocide, the 19th century may be considered an age of revolution. Kimmel (n.d.) defines revolution as “attempts by subordinate groups to transform the social foundations of political power.” When armed resistance is successful, we call it a war of independence. When it is unsuccessful, we call it a revolution. Below are examples of both from the late 18th through early 20th centuries from Encyclopædia Britannica.

Knowledge Check

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References

“Early 19th Century Revolutionary Movements.” World History. Accessed September 24, 2018. https://worldhistory.us/european-history/early-19th-century-revolutionary-movements.php.

Kimmel, Michael S. Revolution: A Sociological Interpretation. Cambridge: Temple University Press.

The Editors of Encyclopædia Britannica. (2025a, March 28). Philippine-American War. Encyclopædia Britannica. https://www.britannica.com/event/Philippine-American-War

The Editors of Encyclopædia Britannica. (2025b, April 14). Spanish-american war. Encyclopædia Britannica. https://www.britannica.com/event/Spanish-American-War

The Editors of Encyclopædia Britannica. (2025c, April 17). Haitian revolution. Encyclopædia Britannica. https://www.britannica.com/topic/Haitian-Revolution

The Editors of Encyclopædia Britannica. (2025d, April 24). War of Greek independence. Encyclopædia Britannica. https://www.britannica.com/event/War-of-Greek-Independence

The Editors of Encyclopædia Britannica. (2025e, April 26). Taiping rebellion. Encyclopædia Britannica. https://www.britannica.com/event/Taiping-Rebellion

The Editors of Encyclopædia Britannica. (2025f, May 3). Indian rebellion of 1857. Encyclopædia Britannica. https://www.britannica.com/event/Indian-Rebellion-of-1857

The Editors of Encyclopædia Britannica. (2025g, May 16). Irish rebellion. Encyclopædia Britannica. https://www.britannica.com/event/Irish-Rebellion-Irish-history-1798

The Editors of Encyclopædia Britannica. (2025h, May 16). Philippine Revolution. Encyclopædia Britannica. https://www.britannica.com/event/Philippine-Revolution

The Editors of Encyclopædia Britannica. (2025i, May 16). Revolutions of 1848. Encyclopædia Britannica. https://www.britannica.com/event/Revolutions-of-1848

The Editors of Encyclopædia Britannica. (2025j, May 21). Wahhābī. Encyclopædia Britannica. https://www.britannica.com/topic/Wahhabi

The Editors of Encyclopædia Britannica. (n.d.-a). Chinese revolution. Encyclopædia Britannica. https://www.britannica.com/event/Chinese-Revolution-1911-1912

The Editors of Encyclopædia Britannica. (n.d.-b). French revolution timeline. Encyclopædia Britannica. https://www.britannica.com/summary/French-Revolution-Timeline

The Editors of Encyclopædia Britannica. (n.d.-c). Hungarian revolution. Encyclopædia Britannica. https://www.britannica.com/event/Hungarian-Revolution-1848-1849

The Editors of Encyclopædia Britannica. (n.d.-d). Revolutions of 1830. Encyclopædia Britannica. https://www.britannica.com/event/Revolutions-of-1830

The Editors of Encyclopædia Britannica. (n.d.-e). Russian revolution of 1905. Encyclopædia Britannica. https://www.britannica.com/event/Russian-Revolution-of-1905

The Editors of Encyclopædia Britannica. (n.d.-f). Tay son rebellion. Encyclopædia Britannica. https://www.britannica.com/topic/Tay-Son-rebellion

The Editors of Encyclopædia Britannica. (n.d.-g). Wars of Italian independence. Encyclopædia Britannica. https://www.britannica.com/event/Wars-of-Italian-Independence

The Editors of Encyclopædia Britannica. (n.d.-h). White Lotus rebellion. Encyclopædia Britannica. https://www.britannica.com/event/White-Lotus-Rebellion

Metych, M. (2025, April 15). Timeline of the american revolution. Encyclopædia Britannica. https://www.britannica.com/event/Timeline-of-the-American-Revolution

Poulsen, T., & Lampe, J. (2025, May 22). The disintegration of Ottoman rule. Encyclopædia Britannica. https://www.britannica.com/place/Serbia/The-disintegration-of-Ottoman-rule

Wolters, O., & Adam, O. (n.d.). Dutch rule from 1815 to c. 1920. Encyclopædia Britannica. https://www.britannica.com/topic/history-of-Indonesia/Dutch-rule-from-1815-to-c-1920