Reactionary facts for kids
A reactionary or reactionist is a person or organization that is against social progress and wants society to return to the old way of doing things.
The word reactionary comes from the word "reaction," which describes movement in the opposite direction. In this case, reactionary beliefs and actions are opposed to the direction of social progress.
Some parts of right-wing politics is based on reactionary thinking and a wish to return to the way things were. Being a reactionary should not be confused with being a conservative, which is someone who wishes to keep (conserve) things the way they are.
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History
The word reactionary was first used during the French Revolution. The réactionnaires were people who wanted France to return to a monarchy.
20th century
In the 20th century, socialists and communists used the word reactionary to describe their enemies. In Marxist thinking, a reactionary is someone who supports causes like feudalism, capitalism, fascism, nationalism, or any other cause opposed to social reform and revolution.
21st century
Reactionary politics is still influential in politics. There are many people and political parties who have opinions that can be seen as reactionary because they want to go back to the old ways. For example, Donald Trump can be considered a reactionary politician.
Images for kids
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In what remains the most widespread revolutionary wave in European history, several revolutions took place throughout 1848 and the beginning of the following year, before reactionary forces regained control and the revolutions collapsed.
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Caricature of Louis XVIII preparing for the French intervention in Spain to help the Spanish Royalists, by George Cruikshank
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Warning against visiting "reactionary" websites in a Vietnamese cyber cafe
