The socio-political conditions of Europe in the eighteenth
century, which were still tainted with feudalism, were changed
into the socio-political conditions of the modern world, partly
by a slow and continuous evolution, but much more by three
revolutionary movements. First there was the great upheaval at
the end of the eighteenth century, the tremors of which were felt
in the life of every country in Europe. Then, although, as
Freeman says, no part of Europe ever returned entirely to its
former condition, there was a profound and almost universal
reaction. In the 'thirties and 'forties, differing in different
countries, a second revolutionary disturbance shook Europe. The
reaction after this upheaval was far less severe, and the
conditions were permanently changed to a great extent, but a
third revolutionary movement followed in the next generation, and
from that time the evolution of socio-political conditions has
proceeded more evenly.
The story of life on the earth since the Coal-forest period is
similarly quickened by three revolutions. The first, at the close
of the Carboniferous period, is the subject of this chapter. It
is the most drastic and devastating of the three, but its effect,
at least on the animal world, will be materially checked by a
profound and protracted reaction.
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