The Debate about the French Revolution

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The publication of Richard Prices sermon on “A Discourse on the Love of Our Country” in November 1789, in which he praised both the American and the French Revolutions, prompted Edmund Burke to write his critique of the French Revolution Reflections on the Revolution in France in 1790. This began a debate about the nature of the French Revolution which continues to this day: was it a step towards individual liberty and constitutional government or towards chaos and tyranny? Burkes critique was quickly replied to by supporters of the Revolution such as Thomas Paine (1791) and William Godwin (1793). Burke, in turn, returned to the topic in numerous other writings.

For additional information about the Debate about the French Revolution see the Timeline on the Debate about the French Revolution.

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