Key Events- State of Britain following the French Revolution

The French Revolution left the nation in political instability, the government on edge and paranoid, and economically damaged. Most British people's reactions to the September Massacres were negative, aside from a few radicals. Generally, the impacts of the French Revolutionary war can be divided into three categories- Neutrality and the British Government; Anti- revolution and Edmund Burke; and Pro-revolution and Tom Paine. Below is a brief overview of how the Revolution affected these three groups. 

Neutrality and the British Government

• Pitt's government quickly established themselves as neutral
• Britain decided they would not intervene with the goings on in France as they could not financially nor diplomatically be able to step in 
• Once France began encouraging rebellions in the rest of Europe, Britain's stance changed
• This made Pitt more austere towards France as he grew suspicious of its supporters and their impact on the British public
• Passed Friendly Societies Act and Combination Acts to prevent the possibility of a revolution in Britain
• The series of bad harvests worsened the government's fears of a revolution 

Anti-Revolution and Edmund Burke

• English Politician- very well educated
• Argued the House of Commons should not be be dominated by the King's supporters- confused people when he began defending the French Monarchy
• Supported the American War of Independence- confused people when he opposed the French Revolution
• Published 'Reflections on the Revolution in France' to show his negative view on it- warn the English people who had been inspired by and celebrated it
• Wrote in response to a group that advocated for an English version of the French Revolution- Burke felt the need to warn them of a darker side of revolts
• Thought people do not have the right to disregard the elected government and form a new one- used the lessons from the past to support this 
• Viewed French revolutionaries as atheists who had insulted history by overthrowing the monarchy
• Believed in society growing organically, and a natural revolution- not giving in to drastic, chaotic measures. He did not see the need for violence
• Thought the circumstances in France would create  conflict and blood shed, ending in a military dictatorship (he was not completely wrong)
• Believed it would bring calamity and ruin the foundations of government
• Burke's views were as such because he had only ever spent time with nobility in France- he had never seen the oppression most there experienced
• He gained more supporters over time as people began to see his predictions started to come true- many stopped supporting it as it turned violent
• Influential idea- his followers were generally politically powerful people. However it is important to note that many took his ideas the wrong away and started to try and prevent any reforms being made- Burke did not endorse this (supported organically growing)

Pro-Revolution and Tom Paine

•  Lived in America, advocated for American War of Independence
• Returned to England in 1787 
• Published 'The Rights of Man' in response to Edmund Burke's 'Reflections'- argued if society needs to progress, it has to break away from the past
• Aimed 'Rights of Man' at creatives
• Supported fundamental rights which should be given to everyone
• Encouraged democracy in England- believed all people were equal, felt the government should reflect this equality
• Wrote his book in simple English which made it available to everyone- wanted to start a democratic revolution, believed in the ability in the ordinary person to make their own decisions
• Demanded social reforms- e.g. free education, pensions (to come from the new income tax). Free, universal education in England not available until 1944, pensions available in 1947