Why do we usually say the "Dutch Revolt", but the "American Revolution," though in both cases the result was independence?

looney_tunes

This article suggests that the term 'revolt' may be applied to the Dutch Revolt because only part of the region which was striving for independence actually gained it at that time. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dutch_Revolt 'A revolution (from the Latin revolutio, "a turn around") is a fundamental change in power or organizational structures that takes place in a relatively short period of time.' http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Revolution 'A revolt is an attempt to fundamentally change an organizational structure in a relatively short period of time.' http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Revolt_%28disambiguation%29 Feb 05 10, 9:30 PM

flem-ish

The Dutch Revolt took 80 years, so I have my doubts about the "shortness", which anyway does not seem to make any difference. If I rely on http://wiki.answers.com/Q/What_is_the_basic_difference_between_Revolt_and_Revolution, then I might say that what became a fundamental change in power structures had started as only a protest against Spain's policy without the intention to break away from Spain's authority.An expression of disgust. Even in Hannah Arendt's "On Revolution" I did not find a satisfactory "disambiguation". Feb 06 10, 1:09 AM

star_gazer

A revolution means a change in the way a country is governed, usually to a different political system and often using violence or war. When a revolt happens, there is also violent action against authority, but the scope and consequences are smaller, more limited. A revolt may take place somewhere for a particular reason usually to show disgust and as a way to protest about something and for a brief period of time. Revolutions are more radical and often shake the whole country. http://wiki.answers.com/Q/What_is_the_basic_difference_between_Revolt_and_Revolution Feb 06 10, 6:26 AM

Baloo55th

A revolution usually has succeeded. A revolt may or may not have - but it's usually in someone else's country. A rebellion is them against us (in our country) or them against legitimate (i.e. established) authority somewhere else. A successful rebellion is a revolution. An insurrection is less than a rebellion, but same direction. An uprising is us against the established (or usurping) authority, AND WE HAVE THE RIGHT - DEATH TO THE OPPRESSORS! All in all, they all mean a fight of some sort. No-one normally says they're going to start an insurrection or rebellion - they are starting an uprising or revolution. No established authority will have an uprising or revolution against it - it's a rebellion or insurrection (or a coup, even). All a matter of words indicating which side the speaker or writer is oriented. (I've got revolutions and uprisings going on in stories at the moment, hence the research into terminology...) Feb 06 10, 9:12 AM

Baloo55th

Forgot to add: and the peasants are always revolting.... Feb 06 10, 9:13 AM