Conciliation with America (1775) Edmund Burke (1729-1797) Conciliation with America (1775)

Historical Context: Burke’s Biography Irish-born Marquis Rockingham Whig MP (Member of Parliament) Great political theoretician Journalist – 4 London daily newspapers Eloquent writer and speaker Major works: “Thoughts on the Cause of the Present Discontents” (1770s), “Speech to the Electors of Bristol” (1780), “Reflections on the Revolution in France” (1790)

Historical Context: Burke’s Position in Society Son of Dublin lawyer “Mixed marriage” Education Public figure Ideology: conservative, founding father, critic of liberalism and Enlightenment natural pillars of society Natural developments of States (Hegel later) But also a Whig

Historical Context: Burke’s Views on Major Issues Rapid Historical transformations Debate between liberals and conservatives French Revolution – results of abstract rationalism of the Enlightenment But concerned with liberty

Historical Context: Burke’s Views on Major Issues Movement towards political democratization, concepts of popular government Increasing role of Parliament – “isthmus between arbitrary power and anarchy” (Burke) But who should be in Parliament? Concept of representation: virtual vs. liberal (Wilkes, British radicals of the 1760s and 1770s) vs. functionalist Burke: natural aristocracy (people = “swinish multitude”), but all interests in society should be represented

Historical Context: Burke’s Views on Major Issues Tensions between Great Britain and its colonies Supported representation for the Irish and the American colonies Idea of the British empire colonies to decide certain matters and have de facto civil liberties A right to tax could be a right not to tax English colonies as part of British empire could levy their own taxes

Historical Context: Document’s Audience Members of British parliament A minority position Also colonists

Document Analysis: Main Points Use of force is not the best option Not the British way Last resort. The use of force leads to uncertain consequences. “ My next objection is its uncertainty. Terror is not always the effect of force; and an armament is not a victory. If you do not succeed, you are without resource; for, conciliation failing, force remains; but, force failing, no further hope of reconciliation is left….” More destruction than good, alienation “A further objection to force is, that you impair the object by your very endeavours to preserve it. The thing you fought for is not the thing which you recover; but depreciated, sunk, wasted and consumed in the contest….” A temporary measure: subdue, but not govern “the use of force alone is but temporary. It may subdue for a moment; but it does not remove the necessity of subduing again: and a nation is not governed , which is perpetually to be conquered.”

Main Points continued: 2. American colonies are different from Britain and as such requires their own government Liberty Geographically remote Only its own government can cope with problems 3. Britain should respect rights of its colony

Edmund Burke, A Founder of Conservatism Founder of Conservatism: “Burke maintained that society was a contract, but ‘the state ought not to be considered as nothing better than a partnership agreement in a trade of pepper and coffee, to be taken up for a temporary interest and to be dissolved by the fancy of the parties.’ The state was a partnership but one ‘not only between those who are living, but between those who are living, those who are dead and those who are to be born.’ No one generation therefore has the right to destroy this partnership; instead, each generation has the duty to preserve and transmit it to the next. Burke advised against the violent overthrow of a government by revolution, but he did not reject the possibility of change. Sudden change was unacceptable, but that did not eliminate gradual or evolutionary improvements.” (Spielvogel, p. 612)

Document’s significance Impact on society Impact on later generations What groups were impacted Was impact important, if so, why? the use of force and sovereignty, sensitivity to context “western” values of restrain and civility