What role did three revolutions (England in 1642-1660 and 1688, France from 1789 until 1815 and Russia from 1917 until 1941) play in the development of Europe? Were those revolutions necessary to curb the political and economic power of monarchs and aristocrats? Could peaceful means have been found to allow the middle class access to political power and economic rights? Are European politics today still volatile because of this revolutionary past?