“Revolutions have been rare but momentous occurrences in modern world history. . . . They have given birth to nations whose power markedly surpassed their own prerevolutionary pasts. . . . Nor have revolutions had only national significance. In some cases, revolutions have given rise to models and ideals of enormous international impact and appeal. . . . [Major] revolutions affect not only those abroad who would like to imitate them. They also affect those in other countries who oppose revolutionary ideals but are compelled to respond to the challenges or threats posed by the enhanced national power that has been generated [by those revolutions]. . . . [Political] upheavals and socioeconomic changes have happened in every country. But . . . revolutions deserve special attention, not only because of their extraordinary significance for the histories of nations and the world but also because of their distinctive pattern of [social and political] change. Revolutions are rapid, basic transformations of a society’s state and class structures; and they are accompanied and, in part, carried through by class-based revolts from below.”
Theda Skocpol, United States political scientist, States and Social Revolutions, book published in 1979
a) Describe ONE argument that the author makes about revolutions in the first paragraph.
b) Explain how ONE piece of evidence from the period after 1750 would support the author’s argument about revolutions and class.
c) Explain how ONE piece of evidence from the period after 1750 would challenge the author’s argument in the passage.