Reading, Pages 1029-1037

The Beatles' "Revolution 1," recorded in 1968, directly presents  the reoccurring theme of 1968, people's desire for change from above and their loud approaches for letting their voices be heard. 1968 revolution materialized in many forms; it attacked educational policies, political freedoms, and discontents with government actions. Revolution was worldwide, and each event was undoubtedly influenced by the others preceding it. It penetrated all levels of society and influenced popular culture, as it can be seen to have inspired the Beatles' song. "Revolution" was written by John Lennon who was inspired by the 1968 revolution in Paris. de Gaulle's regime suffered sharp blows to its stability following the Algerian war and the economic boom. Students at the University of Paris called for reforms and improved fundings, but petitions and demonstrations got the students nothing but the closing of the university. Without the university, students were left to protest in the streets. And while the students' calls for refinement of the educational system do not seem to be outrageous or dangerous pleas, the students were met with violence from the police trying to silence the protesters. Soon not only students were protesting against the oppressive jurisdiction of de Gaulle's regime, but millions of French workers as well began to protest against their own restrictions. Students and workers faced both similar and different oppressions, but the unification they all found in revolution speaks to the ultimate instability of de Gaulle's government. One population's dissatisfaction only influenced other groups to speak up against their own discontentments, in a sort of domino effect. The fact that revolution seemed to be an explicable answer for both students and workers shows that the problems of de Gaulle's government were not isolated or specific to one group, but rather far-reaching. John Lennon's words speak to the common desires of 1968's young revolutionaries: "change the world";"you got a real solution"; "change the constitution." But Lennon advises the revolutionaries to not take violent measures, instead advocating patience, saying that everything will work itself out in the end and "be all right." But considering the repetitious protesting in 1968, was patience going to get revolutionaries anywhere? In all 1968's revolutions, the results somehow weakened the authority. Perhaps chaos and disorder would be the only way to break down the barriers of government and leave leaders without a choice but to reconstruct the policies.