Reflections on the French Revo

Edmund Burke’s Reflections on the French Revolution Edmund Burke’s renowned book of 1790 is as famous as any text in the history of politics, and as controversial. Reflections on the French Revolution has been and will most likely continue to be the subject of many disagreements, however its distinction is usually admitted even by those whose ideology makes them an opponent of its principles. Burke claimed that the revolution went wrong because its leaders …

…differentiating between different actions in history, Burke stated that the French Revolution was a complete break with the past, and therefore a negative for the country. However the English, American, and Indian rebellions of the near past tried to recover past privileges and traditions, and therefore were positive. Many of Burke’s thoughts were attacked by liberal journalists including Thomas Paine, whose attack was such a harsh blow to Burke that he never fully recovered.