Question

Who was the British statesman of the turn of the 19th century who developed ideas associated with conservatism in reaction to perceived excesses of the French Revolution?

1) Winston Churchill
2) Benjamin Disraeli
3) William Pitt the Younger
4) Robert Peel

Answer 1

Edmund Burke was the British statesman who developed the foundational ideas of modern conservatism in reaction to the French Revolution, promoting gradual reform and emphasizing the importance of tradition and community over rapid political change.

Step-by-step explanation:

The British statesman at the turn of the 19th century who developed ideas associated with conservatism in reaction to the perceived excesses of the French Revolution was Edmund Burke. He believed in the importance of tradition and gradual reform rather than sudden upheaval, and was deeply skeptical of the revolution's impact on society.

In his pamphlet, Reflections On The Revolution in France, Burke articulated his concerns about uneducated masses seizing political power and the dangers it posed. His work laid the foundations for modern conservatism, which stressed the importance of existing social orders, the community, and incremental change.