HIS241H1 Lecture Notes - Lecture 5: Proletariat, Peterloo Massacre, Constitutional Monarchy
Document Summary
Lecture 5 - the restoration of europe - conservatism. Conservatism was a political force introduced right at the beginning of the. French revolution and the ideology was so strong it has remained a viable political force that it lasts even today. Conservatism wanted to ensure the survival of the previous political structure, the pre-revolutionary system. This was a backlash to the enlightenment and attempted to undermine the changing movement in europe. Enlightenment argued that god did not put absolutist monarchies there rather that the rich placed. They argued that enlightenment led to the french revolution which led to the reign of terror. Hence we have to go back to the old ways and must preserve the old political system. Two philosophers who promoted the idea who"s premise was accepted were edmund burke and joseph de maistre. He greatly criticized the revolution and claimed that private property must always be preserved and respected.
