An Analysis Of Edmund Burke’s Impeachment Of Warren Hastings

The late 18 th century was the process of transformation from the old empire to the new empire to the United Kingdom,the adjustment of the ruling politics of the British colony in India was the main problem to be settled.The impeachment of Hastings becomes one of the most influential political trials in Britain,and its historical status and role should be not underestimated.The United Kingdom faced a extremely complicated international situation between political and economic when the impeachment took place.From the market point of view,the United Kingdom pay more attention to the strategic position of the India market because of the seven year war,the industrial revolution and the impact of the American Revolution,.From the ideological point of view,the domestic Gospel doctrine,the spread of humanitarian ideas and the industrial revolution caused by the reconstruction of moral values prompted the British people began to sympathize with the India colonists.From a political point of view,the domestic party struggle is complicated and the India affairs became an important issue in British politics.The impeachment of Hastings became a turning point in Britain s reform to the East India Company.Burke as the main sponsor of the impeachment accused Hastings 22 counts of corruption,bribery and other.Hastings in accordance with Burke s various accusations in turn,and finally acquitted Hastings acquitted.The impeachment of Hastings had a great influence on Britain and India.The British people started pay a rational view to the merits and demerits of Hastings.The British government gradually accepted Burke s Neo liberal Empire concept,which with a sense of identity and belonging to maintain colonial empire,undertake the India colonial moral obligation;rethinking the rule of India;and alleviate the contradiction between the United Kingdom and the colonies.The idea of new empire has shaken the traditional colonial rule to a certain extent,but the traditional colonial rule still prevails in British politics.The conflict between Hastings and Burke was the fierce impact of the traditional colonial rule and the new imperial rule.They served to the expansion of British capitalism in different ways,and laid the foundation for the creation of a new colonial empire in Britain.The impeachment of Hastings was not only the turning point of British colonial rule of India,but also the beginning of the new stage of development in India.It provided an opportunity to the awakening of democratic thought in India.