# Social Upheaval and Revolution in The Economic Consequences of the Peace

> Theme guide for The Economic Consequences of the Peace by John Maynard Keynes.

The book warns that the economic devastation and starvation caused by the Treaty will lead to social collapse, political extremism, and revolution across Europe, as seen in the examples of Russia and Austria.

## Where it surfaces

- [Population](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_economic_consequences_of_the_peace_se/chapters/i-population): The chapter suggests that Russia's population explosion may have contributed more to its revolution than Lenin or the errors of autocracy.
- [IV: The Relation of the Old World to the New](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_economic_consequences_of_the_peace_se/chapters/iv-the-relation-of-the-old-world-to-the-new): The war left Europe with a population in excess of available livelihood, destroyed organization, and impaired food supplies, risking social collapse.
- [The Conference and the Terms of the Treaty](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_economic_consequences_of_the_peace_se/chapters/ii-the-conference-and-the-terms-of-the-treaty): The economic collapse and financial instability described foreshadow social unrest and the rise of extremist movements.
- [VI: Europe After the Treaty](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_economic_consequences_of_the_peace_se/chapters/vi-europe-after-the-treaty): The chapter warns that starvation and inflation may lead to revolution, citing Lenin's methods and the weakness of the capitalist class.
- [VII: Remedies](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_economic_consequences_of_the_peace_se/chapters/vii-remedies): Keynes warns that economic privation may lead to revolution, but notes that revolution offers no improvement for general suffering.
- [Endnotes](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_economic_consequences_of_the_peace_se/chapters/endnotes): The notes document the humanitarian catastrophe in Central Europe, with widespread disease, malnutrition, and suffering among civilian populations.

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_economic_consequences_of_the_peace_se/themes/social_upheaval_and_revolution
- Themes index: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_economic_consequences_of_the_peace_se/themes