Advanced Placement (AP) European History Practice Exam

How does Burke describe the revolutionaries' view of traditional laws and practices?

1. They respect the old traditions and laws

2. They advocate for a return to ancient customs

3. They dismiss them as outdated and irrelevant

4. They desire to reform rather than abolish them

The correct answer is: They dismiss them as outdated and irrelevant

Burke characterizes the revolutionaries' view of traditional laws and practices as dismissive, highlighting their perspective that these customs are outdated and irrelevant. In his critiques, particularly in "Reflections on the Revolution in France," he expresses concern that the revolutionaries' radical approach undermines the foundations of society by rejecting the established norms that have historically provided stability and order. Burke believed that traditions and laws developed over time embody the collective wisdom of past generations. The revolutionaries’ inclination to discard these elements signifies a rejection of continuity and an embrace of a new, untested social order. This attitude towards traditional practices reflects their belief that a complete overhaul of societal structures was necessary to achieve their vision of progress, which Burke vehemently opposed, seeing it as destructive rather than transformative.