The European Reaction to the Revolution

• For those champions of the Enlightenment, the revolution was good

• Radical political groups began to grow in Italy and Germany

• Austria and Prussia thought the revolution would eclipse France as a major power

• Enlightened rulers from Eastern Europe saw the possibility of revolution and renounced the enlightened ideas

Suppression of Reform in Britain

• William Pitt the Younger championed the revolution as a means of liberty for France– As reform movements in Britain began, Pitt began

to fear revolution– Began suppressing working-class reform groups– Sponsored mob action to drive Joseph Priestley, a

radical thinker, out of Britain– Suspended habeas corpus and freedom of the

press

Edmund Burke (British) Attacks• wrote Reflections on the Revolution in France

(1790) – said revolution will end in military despotism

• Not against reform, but felt the removal of monarch and church would lead to rule by force

• Predicted increased violence in France (1790)• Wanted evolutionary change not

revolutionary