When comparing and contrasting two revolutionary writers and thinkers one cannot simply do so in 1000 words. However, the main arguments and steller ideas can be shown at a brief. Abraham Lincoln and Edmund Burke, two men that sparked debates in both the 1750’s and 1860’s; more than century apart, held similar ideas when it came to the role and limits of government in changing society. Both men held realist views that led them to take harsh and controversial positions when dealing with revolution.
In modern day America, Abraham Lincoln is a well known and loved president. Despite this, during his serving term he received resentment from southerns and opposers of the civil war. Freeing the southern slaves did not come easy, Lincoln came across …show more content…
Comparatively, him and Lincoln both saw failure in past attempts to fix the issues they debated against. Although Burke opposed the French Revolution that was meant to bring a new light to the government and way of living for the suffering Frenchman, he had good reasons to do so. Burke did not agree with the French Revolution due to the way it was accomplished. He did not like the blood shedding and destruction of churches by the revolutionist. Of course, this does not mean he was opposed to change. However, the circumstances which he strongly believed change should occur through were completely disregarded. To him, a slow and adaptive change were the best ways to get anything done. Burke believed that Paine, a supporter of the French Revolution, was trying to sweep the institutions already in place that he personally felt protected their freedoms. Astonished by these institutions and the fact that they even worked, Burke wrote his reflections opposing the revolution. “A spirit of innovation is generally the result of a selfish temper, and confined views. People will not look forward to posterity, who never look backward to their ancestors.” Edmund Burke mentioned various time throughout his writings, that our ancestors have worked hard to create these institutions and when you are born these institutions are already set in place, trying to …show more content…
Lincoln said that the right of life is more important than property. Just like Evangelical Christian abolitionists said slaves were being treated inhumane. Lincoln and the abolitionists said there was no way that god would allow for anyone to be treated as terribly as slaves were treated. Everyone is a child of god therefore no one should be enslaved. The only way for the slaves to be treated humanely was to free them. Fast and radical change was the only way, for Lincoln, to help the southern slaves. Edmund Burke would strongly disagree. Not only was he opposed to “radical” change, but like Douglas, Burke would believe that eventually and over the course of time the slave owners would do the right thing and free the slaves themselves. This optimistic view of change happening slowly and over the course of time is what set Burke and Lincoln apart. Abraham Lincoln was in favor of the Civil War while Edmund Burke was against the French Revolution. Though, Edmund Burke was not opposed to the American Revolution. This was because Burke believed that the British Government was impeding upon the basic rights of british citizens. Whereas for the French, he did not believe they were being deprived of these basic rights. This goes to show the limits of government Burke acknowledged as infringing upon the people. As for Abraham Lincoln, he believed that the
In modern day America, Abraham Lincoln is a well known and loved president. Despite this, during his serving term he received resentment from southerns and opposers of the civil war. Freeing the southern slaves did not come easy, Lincoln came across …show more content…
Comparatively, him and Lincoln both saw failure in past attempts to fix the issues they debated against. Although Burke opposed the French Revolution that was meant to bring a new light to the government and way of living for the suffering Frenchman, he had good reasons to do so. Burke did not agree with the French Revolution due to the way it was accomplished. He did not like the blood shedding and destruction of churches by the revolutionist. Of course, this does not mean he was opposed to change. However, the circumstances which he strongly believed change should occur through were completely disregarded. To him, a slow and adaptive change were the best ways to get anything done. Burke believed that Paine, a supporter of the French Revolution, was trying to sweep the institutions already in place that he personally felt protected their freedoms. Astonished by these institutions and the fact that they even worked, Burke wrote his reflections opposing the revolution. “A spirit of innovation is generally the result of a selfish temper, and confined views. People will not look forward to posterity, who never look backward to their ancestors.” Edmund Burke mentioned various time throughout his writings, that our ancestors have worked hard to create these institutions and when you are born these institutions are already set in place, trying to …show more content…
Lincoln said that the right of life is more important than property. Just like Evangelical Christian abolitionists said slaves were being treated inhumane. Lincoln and the abolitionists said there was no way that god would allow for anyone to be treated as terribly as slaves were treated. Everyone is a child of god therefore no one should be enslaved. The only way for the slaves to be treated humanely was to free them. Fast and radical change was the only way, for Lincoln, to help the southern slaves. Edmund Burke would strongly disagree. Not only was he opposed to “radical” change, but like Douglas, Burke would believe that eventually and over the course of time the slave owners would do the right thing and free the slaves themselves. This optimistic view of change happening slowly and over the course of time is what set Burke and Lincoln apart. Abraham Lincoln was in favor of the Civil War while Edmund Burke was against the French Revolution. Though, Edmund Burke was not opposed to the American Revolution. This was because Burke believed that the British Government was impeding upon the basic rights of british citizens. Whereas for the French, he did not believe they were being deprived of these basic rights. This goes to show the limits of government Burke acknowledged as infringing upon the people. As for Abraham Lincoln, he believed that the