BULLDOZER REVOLUTION

1.     The people of Serbia were fed up with the irregularities happening in the election so the vote was largely boycotted in Montenegro. The protest started at the mines where Serbia’s electricity is developed. Several hundred thousand protesters from all over Serbia arrived in Belgrade to protest unlike previous protests; there was no large scale police crackdown. The parliament was partially burned during the protests and the RTS building, the symbol of Milosevic’s rule, was taken over. 2.     This revolution is similar to the Philippine People Power revolution because there was a huge protest in both. It is also similar to the American Revolution because of the boycotting. The Americans boycotted the tea of the British and the Serbians boycotted the vote. This is also different from the American Revolution because there was no violence involved whereas in the American Revolution there were many deaths. When the RTS building is captured, that’s similar to the Bastille being captured of the French Revolution. 3.       The outcome of the revolution was positive when it came to the people’s choice. The Yugoslavians gained a new president, Vojislav Kostunica who was not a dictator. Since the bulldozer revolution, Yugoslavia has had no major problems when it comes to their president. The people are much happier knowing that they are now in a democracy and can be a part of their country. 4.     The revolution was definitely justified. The people of Yugoslavia were finally given a president that allows them a democracy. They were able to overthrow their 13 year dictator without violence. I think non violence is the best method for a revolution because they are successful without hurting anyone. Many violent revolutions have not been successful in the past, however revolutions such as this one or the Philippine revolution to overthrow Marcos have been successful and I think it is because they did not get violent and out of hand. The revolution was controlled giving the people power instead of being one among the mess of killing and destruction. Also, the Yugoslavians were extremely happy when the dictator was overthrown, dancing and jumping on the streets. This clearly would not have been the reaction if people had loved ones injured or killed during the process. The method of a bloodless revolution leads to a happier ending for everyone. I don’t think that this revolution fits Crane Brintons anatomy of a revolution because the whole revolution is basically people protesting so the ruiling force resigns. It doesn’t get complicated with moderates ruling or violent actions. That’s why this is called the bloodless revolution. However, after the resign life returns to normal so that is probably a part of Stage 4 of Crane Brintons anatomy of a revolution.