After all the hardships and distress that the European countries suffered from during the French Revolution and the Napoleonic Era; Austria, Russia, Prussia, France, and Britain unite in the Congress of Vienna and agreed to stop the wars and revolutions, and live peaceful and simple life. However, Conservative rule is very important for the stability of Europe. The French Revolution made a big change in the European history. Besides the dramatic and bloody beginning, the revolution ruined monarchy, destroyed aristocracy, induces freedom of expression, and support equality before the law. However, Napoleon’s leadership skills were extraordinary, he succeed as administrator, legal and social reformer. He made very important achievements during …show more content…
Its principles could be traded back to Edmund Burke’s “Reflections on the Revolution in France”, and also to Joseph-Marie de Maistre on the “Essay on the Generative Principle of political Institutions”. Conservatism acknowledges the rights of individuals, and the responsibilities that one has toward another, it encourages the establishment of a cohesive society. However, Conservatism values traditions, religion, and set up norms of morality. “Its ethical goal is the preservation of the group rather that the gratification of the individual” (Backman 674). Conservatism doesn’t refuse the need of change, but it believes that changes need a gradual development and require time to approve success. Under the conservatism norm, Napoleon failure was predictable because of his revolutionary actions and unnatural accomplishments. Thus, we are not able to reshape the world the way we want to see it, and we are not able to create whole new systems. Conservatism supports the law of nature, where there is no legality in everything. People are different in beauty, talent, intelligence, wealth, skills, and health. Indeed, hierarchies are very natural and conservatism is the best choice to peaceful and simple …show more content…
But industrial capitalism disagreed with the traditional society created by the conservatives because it appreciated individual enterprise. But, capitalism depends on the freedom of capital, changing old institutions and customs and implanting new ones to improve the industry. However, the challenge in this situation was to accomplish the success from the industrial development without losing the ethical and moral beliefs and traditions. As we all know you, Mr. Klemens von Metternich as one of the main figures in the Congress of Vienna that supported conservatism and believed of its ability to minimize wars and help the Europeans live simple and pure life. However, the victorious powers should re-establish the conservative rule across the European Continent in order to regain its
According to Carl N. Degler, the entire Revolution should be viewed as a conservative change. In “A New Kind of Revolution,” Degler talked about how the new actions taken place by the English had help structure and shape the colonial government. Not only did the colonies lack the affection of their motherland, Britain, they were also taxed unfairly. On the other hand, “The Radicalism of the American Revolution,” by Gordon S. Wood talks about how the American Revolution was a radical movement. His thesis covered how the country was transitioning from monarchy to republic, and now, democracy. The framers wanted to create a free nation where no single person rule. As well as, the people of the nation having the ultimate say so.
Between 1815 and 1851, there was an increase in conservative demands and ideals across Europe. Three nations fit into this mold exceptionally well, one of them being Prussia. The other nation that best shows how conservative ideals achieved their goals is France and how it changed after the restoration of the Bourbon monarchy. The third nation being, Austria and how the rulers handled the discontent of the different minority groups within it’s borders.
Edmund Burke was an Irish political theorist and a philosopher who became a leading figure within the conservative party. Burke has now been perceived as the founder of modern conservatism. He was asked upon to write a piece of literature on the French Revolution. It was assumed that as an Englishman, Burke’s words would be positive and supportive. Given that he was a member of the Whig party, and that he supported the Glorious Revolution in England. Contrary to what was presumed of him, Burke was very critical of the French Revolution. He frequently stated that a fast change in society is bad. He believed that if any change to society should occur, it should be very slow and gradual.
would change became reality. This was a threat to the power of the king. The different
But, most importantly, Napoleon did what he thought would make his country stronger. One of Napoleon’s first areas of concern was in the strengthening of the French government. He created a strong centralized government and pretty much got rid of the hundreds of localized law codes that had existed while under the control of the monarchy. He also created an army of government officials. He had the entire country linked under a rational administration.
We shall favor the survival of the unfittest and we shall accomplish this by destroying liberty” (Voices of freedom 35). With this quote it states that with government regulations and the individual freedom they do not combine due to the Social Darwinism they follow. They have the feeling that is this were to continue that there would be no social order and to be able to continue this social class they
During the eighteenth century, France was one of the most richest and prosperous countries in Europe, but many of the peasants were not happy with the way France was being ruled. On July 14, 1789, peasants and soldiers stormed the Bastille and initiated the French Revolution. This essay will analyze the main causes of the French Revolution, specifically, the ineffectiveness of King Louis XVI and Marie Antoinette, the dissatisfaction of the Third Estate, and the Enlightenment. It will also be argued that the most significant factor that caused the French Revolution is the ineffective leadership of King Louis XVI and Marie Antoinette.
Napoleon was an outstanding military commander and enjoyed many successful campaigns. Napoleon maintained the Revolutionary syst...
The French Revolution evokes many different emotions and controversial issues in that some believe it was worth the cost and some don't. There is no doubt that the French Revolution did have major significance in history. Not only did the French gain their independence, but an industrial revolution also took place. One of the main issues of the Revolution was it's human costs. Two writers, the first, Peter Kropotkin who was a Russian prince, and the other Simon Schama, a history professor, both had very opposing views on whether the wars fought by France during the Revolution were worth it's human costs. Krapotkin believed that the French Revolution was the main turning point for not only France but for most other countries as well. On the other hand, Schama viewed the French Revolution as unproductive and excessively violent.
Reasons for Napoleon's Success · One of Napoleon's great strengths as leader was the devotion of his men. His soldiers adored him. · Despite his generally unprepossessing appearance, when he wished to charm he could quickly win over anyone he met, however initially hostile they might be. Within a couple of days he had completely captivated the officers and crew of Bellerophon taking him to St. Helena in 1815, much alarming the British government.
Dating back to the mid 1700s, foreign policy has been a topic of discussion for all political leaders. George Washington and his cabinet had to respond effectively to the demands of countries around the world. The French Revolution challenged America’s supreme power as Washington had to decide where United States loyalties would lie. Post-Revolutionary foreign policy decisions were now being made off a moralistic or realistic values. During the time period of policymaking, Washington left his farewell address, the Jay Treaty was enacted, the XYZ Affair and Quasi War with France went underway, and the Treaty of Ghent was signed. John Adams, Thomas Jefferson, and Henry Clay were three key components in deciding how to rule despite having opposing
The main elements of conservatism are tradition, human imperfection and hierarchy.
Napoleon Bonaparte was an interesting ruler in that he was compromised of attributes of both a tyrant and a hero. Napoleon had a strong following throughout his reign and even during his two exiles. He was the emperor of France between 1799 and 1815, following the fall of the Directory. Despite the efforts of the French Revolution to rid the country of an autocratic ruler, Bonaparte came to power as Emperor Napoleon Bonaparte I in 1804. He claimed that he preserved the goals of the Revolution, which can be easily argued as his rule became more dictatorial as it progressed. Despite his departure from some of the gains of the Revolution, he overall was a hero for the French people. Through his military ventures, political changes and social reform, Napoleon proved himself as a hero. This is not to say that there were aspects of his reign that were tyrannical, but he was overall beneficial for France.
These coherent ideas make conservatism a legitimate ideology. The core beliefs of conservatism are tradition, human imperfection, organic society, authority, and property. Conservatists believe that change propels society into the unknown and creates a state of chaos and fear endangering happiness. To the conservative, tradition needs to defend prior institutions, placing a high value on past knowledge and the belief that those that stand the test of time ought to be protected. Creating a sense of identity and providing reassurances by practicing customs and traditions is strong conservative
The French Revolution, which occurred from 1789 to 1799, was a time where the monarchy was overthrown, a republic was formed, and limits were put on the church. The French Revolution ended with the rule of Napoleon Bonaparte in 1799. The French Revolution created France’s legislative assembly, which is still in place today. Many would argue that the Enlightment was a cause of the French Revolution, but the Enlightment was not one of the main drivers for the Revolution. The bad living conditions, France’s monarchy, and the involvement in the American Revolution and other wars caused the French Revolution.