Edmund Burke Right Analysis

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Marjorie Addonizio EUH3205 12 February 2015 Was Edmund Burke Right? In Reflections on the Revolution in France (1790), Edmund Burke offers a biting critique of the rapid change in the moderate phase of the French Revolution. The Revolution was a period of immense, sweeping change: The national assembly was created, feudal privileges were abolished, church property was confiscated, and the royal family was seized. However, such change came too quickly. Burke’s critique of the destruction of French mannerisms and inexperienced governance was validated by the fulfillment of his foreseen reign of terror and Napoleon’s dictatorship. What is most striking in Burke’s reflection is his majestic portrayal of the queen of France, Marie Antoinette;…show more content…
Burke criticized the members of the National Assembly, arguing that although they were not inept, they sorely lacked practical experience. They were inferior to the Estates-General in that they were “mechanical,” capable only of the lawyerly duties they had been taught but not the governance of an entire society . They were men of humble circumstances, where respect was not a given and wealth was practically nonexistent (Burke,…show more content…
Army officers, protestant farmers, and affiliates of the Jacobins, among others, continued to be murdered by gangs (Schama, 852). Burke asked, while the country was still in the moderate phase, “Were all these dreadful things necessary?” and then provided his own answer: “No!” (Burke, 1). His response is further validated by accounts of the counter-terrorism. Price controls were dissipated, civil wars raged in many areas of the country, taxes were on par or even heavier than the kings, and the military was no better funded than when under the monarchy (Schama, 852). “The popular urban classes had not drawn any positive advantage from the revolution. In fact, by proclaiming economic freedom, and by prohibiting unions and strikes […] they had left them defenseless,” according to Soboul (Soboul, 37). With Guilds destroyed, many hardworking artisans were cut to the status of the proletariat (Soboul, 37). In addition to Robespierre, we see the inebriation of power in Napoléon Bonaparte. Napoléon had a fairly low standing at birth and was therefore never destined to rise in his career. However, the French Revolution allowed officers to be selected for their individual capabilities and not according to birth. Thus, following his triumph in a Royalist rebellion, he was able to ascend in society. Because of the revolution, Napoléon was able to climb the hierarchy through
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