Edmund Burke's Reflections of the Revolution in France expressed his opposition to the French Revolution. Burke was not against reform, in fact he himself had been interested in the reform of certain aspects of English political life. However, he feared that once you remove the traditional system of deference and dramatically alter the role of such institutions as the monarchy and the church, force would eventually rule. Burke believed that reform could only take place by keeping the present political structure and seeking to achieve evolutionary rather than revolutionary change. .
Burke predicted that the Revolution would take a more violent direction, something that was rather prescient considering he was only writing in 1790. His prediction was quite accurate considering the constant warfare that followed during the "Reign of Terror" and the periods of anarchy, state of suspended constitution, overturned laws, destabilized economy, and the closing of essential institutions. When Napoleon's Coup d"etat took place in 1799, the French people were desperate for an organized government to bring an end to the terror and re-build their society. Burke's predictions still held true through the reign of Napoleon as seen by the constant warfare that took place during his rule.
Burke is certainly not critical of all revolutions, and is only opposed towards the French Revolution because he believed that completely dissolving government and starting over with a blank slate is bound to fail. He uses the example of the Glorious Revolution of England in 1688 to clarify his expectations about successful and justified revolutions. Burke admires this revolution because it was bloodless reform as opposed to violent rebellion. In England it had become obvious that a change was needed in the government, and the people took only the necessary actions to complete the change and return the country to normal.
