A "revolution," as defined in class (HI 469, NCSU) by Professor Robins, is a radical and often sudden change in a stratification system, power relations, or paradigm. The terms of this definition are not only applicable to many events throughout history, but also specifically connectable to many of civilizations most notorious revolutions. When identifying what the major causes of revolutions are, hence the causes of a change in a stratification system, power relations, or paradigm, it is most effective to analyze a few of the revolutions that we can agree are unanimously "textbook" and see what the major causes of those were. .
In the French Revolution of the late 1700's, there existed a strong economic divide between the rich and the poor. The majority of the people lived impoverished while the French elites, most of which were aristocrats of the Monarchy lived much more privileged lives. This eventually led to a serious political conflict between the King and the nobility over how to "reform " the tax system (Schwartz). With the Enlightenment gaining serious momentum and popularity, it was difficult for the King, Louis XVI to be effective" (Wood 174-208). When a government, especially a monarchy, is challenged by a politically inferior group and isn't able to show immediate superiority, it makes logical sense to the public to question its authority and legitimacy. If there is an existed struggling and helpless public, who is discontent with its situation, and doesn't see leader as legitimate force to improve the status quo, then often (as in the case of the French Revolution) they feel as if they must take action in their own hands. This combined with the situational obvious increased divide between the very rich and the very poor is often a first step and a major cause to the makings of a revolution. .
If the American Revolution is examined, a similar struggle between the people and the government exists, however the issues are different and the problems are as philosophical as they are applicable.