The influence of domestic political realities on the perception of the French Revolution in Great Britain

Abstract

The following article discusses the key features which defined the perception of the French Revolution by its contemporaries in Great Britain.
The legacy of the French Revolution is deservedly considered as an attainment of universal historic progress. Achievements of the revolution, including the establishment of human and citizen rights, renewal of the long-lasting ruling regime, emancipation of civil elites inspired by the ideals of the Age of Enlightenment were opposed by gradually increasing radicalization of revolutionary process and setting up of the Jacobin dictatorship
of terror. The ideals which influenced the revolution and a line of historical precedents it launched had an impressive effect on the contemporaries far beyond France. The United Kingdom was no exception.
The aim of this article is to define the extent of influence which the domestic political tendencies and national traditions of the state may have on perception of the contemporary historical events, taking place in a foreign country, by its citizens.