Impact Of French Revolution 1789

Question 1

Impact: inside parliament

Reasons for?

Answer 1

 The early stages of the revolution were welcomed by some politicians such as the Whig Leader Fox.

 The revolution led a small group of opposition Whigs to develop plans for moderate parliamentary reform in Britain.

Question 2

Impact: inside parliament

Reasons against?

Answer 2

 As events in the French Revolution Became more extreme, the British Political elite viewed the revolution with hostility and anxiety.

 Opposition Whigs supporting the Revolution became a small isolated group.

 The French Revolution ultimately had a negative impact on Parliamentary Reform – Reform was associated with Revolution and even a proposal to look into Parliamentary Reform was blocked in 1793 and again in 1797. (I

• There was also literature against Revolution: Edmund Burke’s Reflections of the Revolution in France (1790) spoke out against the revolution and defended Britain’s existing constitution

Question 3

Impact: Outside parliament

Reasons for:

Answer 3

 New radical societies were established outside of Parliament e.g. LCS.

 The new radical societies called for Parliamentary Reform.

 The new radical societies outside parliament had a wider membership than previous groups.

 The French Revolution gave a solid intellectual foundation to radical groups campaigning for Reform.

 Radical writing, inspired by the French Revolution, flourished e.g. Thomas Paine’s Rights of Man which sold 200,000 copies by 1793

Question 4

Impact : outside parliament

Reasons against :

Answer 4

 The new radical societies were divided on tactics and leadership as such they proved less effective and were unable to take advantage of food and labour disputes.

 New Radical Societies were more in favour of Reform than Revolution. The LCS emphasised moderation and distanced itself from revolutionary ideas.

 Substantial regional towns including Bristol, Hull, Liverpool, Plymouth and Portsmouth could not sustain radical societies.

 There was also literature against the Revolution: Edmund Burke’s Reflections of the Revolution in France (1790) spoke out against the revolution and defended Britain’s existing constitution.

Question 5

Impact: Revolutionary underground

Reasons for:

Answer 5

• The French Revolution gave momentum to radical activity. This activity became known as the revolutionary underground and included groups such as the Black Lamp Conspiracy and the Despard Conspiracy

Question 6

Impact: revolutionary underground

Reasons against:

Answer 6

 Many groups within the revolutionary Underground were focused on short term economic issues e.g. Naval Mutiny

 The Revolutionary Underground was not that revolutionary – for example it is unsure whether the Black Lamp Conspiracy even existed

Question 7

Impact: Government response

Reasons for

Answer 7

 Government reaction to the French Revolution (1789) and the War with France (1793) led to fear of a Revolution in Britain.

 The Government adopted a policy of repression using intimidation, legislation and propaganda. This became known as Pitt’s ‘Reign of Terror’.

Question 8

Impact: Government response

Reasons against:

Answer 8

 The so-called ‘Reign of Terror’ actually drove much of the radical activity ‘underground’ rather than stopping it – as such these groups became more dangerous as a result.