I've been reexamining the Revolutions of 1848 recently (as well as the Italian unification).  It's interesting to look at the history of early socialism and professional revolutionaries in this context. 

Certain details keep bringing me back to this idea that the modern progressive movement in the US needs some "Break In Case Of Revolution" resources, like a list of progressive leaders from all fifty states that could form a national assembly if necessary, a rough draft of a new constitution, etc.  Revolutions can happen so fast, and many of them fail when the revolutionaries aren't prepared for the next step after removing a corrupt/tyrannical government.