The French revolution and its Idea of Nation / Measures and practices were introduced by French Revolutionaries to create a sense of unity amongst the French people.
Following measures and practices were introduced by French Revolutionaries to create a sense of unity amongst the French people.
- The ideas of la patrie (the fatherland) and le citoyen ( the citizen ) emphasised the notion of a united community enjoying equal rights under a constitution.
- A new French flag Tricolour was chosen to replace the former royal standard.
- The Estates General was elected by the body of Active citizens and renamed the National Asembly.
- Hymns were composed, oaths taken and martyrs commemorated all in the name of the nation.
- They formulated uniform laws for all citizens within its territory.
- Uniform system of weights and measures were adopted.
- French as spoken in Paris became the common language of the nation.
The events in France reached Europe and students and women started setting up Jacobin clubs changing the political scene .
The French armies , when they marched into Holland, Switzerland, Belgium and much of Italy in1790s carried the idea of nationalism abroad.
Napoleon destroyed democracy in Europe but introduced a number of administrative reforms wherever he went in Europe.