Edmund Burke and His Impact on the British Political, Social and Moral Response during the French Revolution (1790-1797)

• Main Author: Gonzalez, Guy Brendan
• Other Authors: Marchand, Suzanne L.
• Format: Others
• Language: en
• Published: LSU 2010
• Subjects: History
• Online Access: http://etd.lsu.edu/docs/available/etd-04302010-141955/

Edmund Burkes legacy has heretofore centered on his seminal work, The Reflections on the Revolution in France. However, Burkes other contributions have been largely ignored. Therefore, the purpose of this thesis is to focus on Burkes literary and political role in the British response to the French Revolution from 1790 until his death in 1797. This study is divided into four chapters. The first chapter contains a contextual background of Burkes moral and political philosophy. It explains why Burke responded in the manner he did to the French Revolution. The remaining three chapters, in a chronological manner, trace Burkes influence on the British governments response to the French Revolution. These roughly six years can be divided into three approximately two-year periods. Chapter 3 analyzes the first period which begins in November 1790 and extends until January 1793. It encompasses the reaction to the Reflections, and ends right before the outbreak of war between Britain and France. The second period, lasting from February 1793 until July 1795, is examined in Chapter 4. Included in this timeframe are Burkes dealings with the British government concerning war policy; this section ends with the invasion of Quiberon. Chapter 5 studies the third and final period which starts in August 1795 and continues to Burkes death in July 1797. It witnesses Burkes withdrawal from foreign affairs, and his investment in the Penn school for émigré children. Source material includes four volumes of Burkes Correspondence, and uses several primary sources, including A Letter to a Member of the National Assembly, Thoughts on French Affairs, Letters on a Regicide Peace, among others. Secondary literature sources are supplementally used to interpret the events and political thinking during that period of time. The findings show that Burke was responsible for a greater impact on the French Revolution than he is credited by most scholars. Regarded by most historians and political scientists as the father of modern Anglo-conservatism, Burkes legacy should be amended to include his accomplishments following the publication of the Reflections, and his impact on British foreign policy.