There are entire fields dedicated to this question. Do violent revolutions ever work? But then, have any peaceful ones worked? History is full of violent revolutions that continued to be violent as you say, but even less peaceful revolutions that worked.
Of course, you can also argue that all government is a form of violence, the police are the only ones allowed by society to enact violence to protect property. If the state actions diverge from the population ideals enough, then to some extent the population is already at war with the state.
Of course, you can also argue that all government is a form of violence, the police are the only ones allowed by society to enact violence to protect property. If the state actions diverge from the population ideals enough, then to some extent the population is already at war with the state.