Edmund Burke French Revolution
Europe, following the incessant French wars of 1790 to 1815 saw the rise of new political ideologies that had an unprecedented voice in European politics. European thought had been turned on its head as liberal ideologies dominated the French Revolution and the Napoleonic Wars. Following the defeat of Napoleon the legacy of liberalism and its sponsoring of personal participation breathed life into civil society wherein all citizens became educated and proactive in the politics of the day. This exciting and new society with its stressing of liberal ideals became the most contentious political issue of 1815 to 1848 as monarchs felt threatened in the new political climate which saw civil participation on an unprecedented scale. This issue would
…show more content…
As Edmund Burke, a British politician and critic of the revolution noted, “By following those false lights [of liberalism], France has bought undisguised calamities at a higher price than any nation has purchased the most unequivocal blessings.” Burke was not alone in his thought as many Europeans felt the French Revolution had resulted in a regression for European society as civilians, asking for political representation, degenerated into mob rule. This tainted liberalism, and with the lacking of liberal leaders European monarchs and high aristocrats were able to quickly produce a continent wide reimplementation of traditional European ideals. This movement of conservatism aimed to reinstate ancient privileges but more importantly, hoped to prevent another disruptive revolution. In order deter revolutionary ideals conservatives believed they must attack the source; civil society. Instigated most notably by Klemens von Metternich, an Austrian politician, European powers enacted legislature that would suppress liberalism and its associations. In 1819, Metternich enacted the Carlsbad Resolutions which aimed to repress political organizations from threatening newly restored conservative Europe. Moreover, it outline that all publications would be subject to “approval of the state officials.” The aim was to subdue civil society from spreading political dissent. At its heart, conservative Europe wanted to dissuade liberalism from the political conservation in hopes to avoid a repeat of the French Revolution or Napoleonic like figures in order to maintain continental
As Edmund Burke, a British politician and critic of the revolution noted, “By following those false lights [of liberalism], France has bought undisguised calamities at a higher price than any nation has purchased the most unequivocal blessings.” Burke was not alone in his thought as many Europeans felt the French Revolution had resulted in a regression for European society as civilians, asking for political representation, degenerated into mob rule. This tainted liberalism, and with the lacking of liberal leaders European monarchs and high aristocrats were able to quickly produce a continent wide reimplementation of traditional European ideals. This movement of conservatism aimed to reinstate ancient privileges but more importantly, hoped to prevent another disruptive revolution. In order deter revolutionary ideals conservatives believed they must attack the source; civil society. Instigated most notably by Klemens von Metternich, an Austrian politician, European powers enacted legislature that would suppress liberalism and its associations. In 1819, Metternich enacted the Carlsbad Resolutions which aimed to repress political organizations from threatening newly restored conservative Europe. Moreover, it outline that all publications would be subject to “approval of the state officials.” The aim was to subdue civil society from spreading political dissent. At its heart, conservative Europe wanted to dissuade liberalism from the political conservation in hopes to avoid a repeat of the French Revolution or Napoleonic like figures in order to maintain continental