Action of Prudence: Edmund Burke on American Policy
Date Issued
2010
Date
2010
Author(s)
Feng, Cho-Chien
Abstract
The British Empire changed its policy and levied taxes from the American colonies to relieve the heavy burden of Empire; however, this new policy provoked a series of turmoil as the result. The Rockingham Whigs asserted that British Government should return back to the old colonial policy to acquire tranquility in the Empire. As a leading speaker and writer among Rockingham Whigs, Edmund Burke
left abundant works on American Affairs. Evaluation of these works is still controversial among modern scholars. Some scholars believe that Burke''s understanding on American Affairs is very shallow. This thesis attempted to analyze Burke''s works and discuss the principles and concepts these works based on, as well as compare with the works of contemporary American writers. I found that his
argument was basically founded on three principles: the right of representation and taxation, liberty, and last but not the least, the interest of the Empire. Burke pursued
the greatest interest for the British Empire with the attitude of prudence, and believed that civil war would not bring any valuable benefits for the Empire. Therefore, he
asserted conciliation and peace with the American colonies. Some scholars criticized Burke for not aware of the general desire for independence in the American colonies; nonetheless, Burke’s correspondence were mainly with the loyalties in the New York colony, and also there were not many documents firmly asserted for independence. As Burke did predict that continuous oppression would force the people to the road of independence, he really held a quite precise understanding toward the situation in American colonies although he had never been there.
Subjects
American Revolution
Edmund Burke
British Empire
Constitutional Rights
Prudence
SDGs
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