From Mutual Observation to Propaganda War : Premodern Revolts in Their Transnational Representations The Arab spring protest movements in the EU Russia Turkey or elsewhere are often labeled as twitter revolutions. A crucial role is attributed to the new media coverage of events abroad and ensuing mutual reactions. With the dissemination of print revolts in early modern times faced the challenge of a similar media revolution. This influenced the very face of the events that could become full fledged propaganda wars once the insurgents had won access to the printing press. But it also had an impact on revolt narratives. Governments severely persecuted dissident views in such delicate issues as revolts. Observers abroad had no such divided loyalties and were freer to reflect upon the events. Therefore the book focuses mainly on representations of revolts across borders.