International System’s Decisive Role in Revolution: A Comparison of the American Independence Revolution and Iran’s Constitutional Revolution

Since the concept of revolution, though begins from a mental point, sets out to bring about a fundamental change in the structure of society and the world, will create particular concerns for the international system notably for the large powers as a phenomenon opposing the status quo. Studying Iran’s Constitution Revolution and the American Independence Revolution in analytical and descriptive method, this paper seeks to explore the role played by the international system, the great powers’ interests and degree of efficacy of this role in the advent of these two revolutions. On this ground, the international system and influential powers are able to intervene in the general factors of the advent of revolution in various diplomatic, financial and even military ways. By granting aid or cutting it of, they can increase or decrease public discontent, the government’s financial weakness, enhance or undermine militant groups’ organization and idealist thoughts, thus contributing to the success or failure of government in suppressing the revolutionaries.