prerevolutionary
Prior to revolt
Prerevolutionary describes the period before a revolution, typically referring to political or social conditions that preceded major upheaval: prerevolutionary France, prerevolutionary Russia.
The word often implies the instability, inequality, or discontent that would eventually spark revolt.
In American contexts, it usually means before the American Revolution of 1776: a prerevolutionary colonial settlement.
Replaced system of governance
- monarchyRule by crowned sovereign
- aristocracyRule by hereditary elite
- absolutismUnrestricted governmental authority
- feudalismLand-for-service social structure
nobility · serfdom · divine right · mercantilism · autocracy · manorialism · peasantry · tithe
Unhappiness with circumstances
- unrestState of public disturbance
- grievancesFelt wrongs or injustices
- oppressionUnjust exercise of power
- inequalityUnequal distribution of resources
dissent · censorship · repression · agitation · protest · resistance · tyranny · despotism
State of public disturbance
- fermentMicrobial chemical breakdown
- portentSign of future calamity
- harbingerOne who foreshadows
- precipiceSteep rock face
tinderbox · powder keg · simmering · brewing · gathering storm · undercurrent · rumblings
Profound spiritual awakening
- liberalismPhilosophy valuing reform, tolerance
- rationalismReason as knowledge source
- philosophyStudy of fundamental truths
- empiricismKnowledge through observation
rights · equality · democracy · nationalism · progressivism · secularization · reform · education
Advocates for fundamental change
- dissentersOpponents of prevailing views
- freethinkersIndependent-minded questioners of orthodoxy
- insurgentsThose fighting established authority
- agitatorsThose who incite disturbance
rebels · revolutionaries · activists · militants · reformers · provocateurs · insurrectionists · Jacobins
ancien régime
Replaced system of governance
- monarchyRule by crowned sovereign
- aristocracyRule by hereditary elite
- absolutismUnrestricted governmental authority
feudalism · nobility · serfdom · divine right · mercantilism · autocracy · manorialism · peasantry · tithe · courtiers
discontent
Unhappiness with circumstances
- unrestState of public disturbance
- grievancesFelt wrongs or injustices
- oppressionUnjust exercise of power
inequality · dissent · censorship · repression · agitation · protest · resistance · tyranny · despotism · struggle
unrest
State of public disturbance
precipice · tinderbox · powder keg · simmering · brewing · gathering storm · undercurrent · rumblings
enlightenment
Profound spiritual awakening
- liberalismPhilosophy valuing reform, tolerance
- rationalismReason as knowledge source
- philosophyStudy of fundamental truths
empiricism · rights · equality · democracy · nationalism · progressivism · secularization · reform · education · bourgeoisie
radicals
Advocates for fundamental change
- dissentersOpponents of prevailing views
- freethinkersIndependent-minded questioners of orthodoxy
- insurgentsThose fighting established authority
agitators · rebels · revolutionaries · activists · militants · reformers · provocateurs · insurrectionists · Jacobins · Decembrists
customs
Traditional practices or import taxes
- heritageInherited cultural legacy
- conventionAgreed standard of behavior
- ceremonyFormal event marking occasions
ritual · ancestry · lineage · folklore · dynasty · legacy · lore · orthodoxy · deference · hierarchy
prerevolutionarypostrevolutionary
After a major overthrow
post-revolutionary · revolutionary · post-independence · post-war · postcolonial
prerevolutionarypostrevolutionary
After a major overthrow
revolutionary · reformed · transformed · liberated · post-colonial
revolution, revolt, revolting, revolutionary, revolutions, revolutionize, revolts, revolutionist