the french revolution and the idea of nation Flashcards
what was the first clear expression of nationalism
the first clear expression of nationalism came with the french revolution in 1789.
was france a full fledged territorial state in 1789 under the rule of an absolute monarch?
yes
what did the political and constitutional changes do?
the political and the constitutional changes that came in the wake of the French revolution led to the transfer of sovereignty from the monarchy to a body of French citizens.
what did the french revolutionaries do from the very beginning
from the very beginning, the French revolutionaries introduced various measures and practices that could create a sense of collective identity amongst the French people.
what were the steps taken by french revolutionaries that could create a sense of collective identity amongst the french people?
the ideas of la patrie [fatherland] and le citoyen[ the citizen] emphasised the notion of a united community enjoying equal rights under a constitution.
A new french flag the tricolour was chosen to replace the former royal standard.
The Estates general was elected by the body of active citizens and renamed as National Assembly.
New hymns were composed, oaths taken , martyrs commemorated, all in the name of the nation.
a centralised administrative system was put in place and it formulated uniform laws for all citizens within its territory.
internal customs duties and dues were abolished and a uniform system pf weights and measures was adopted.
regional dialects were discouraged and French, As it was spoken and written in Paris, became the common language of the nation.
what did the revolutionaries further declare
the revolutionaries further declared that it was the mission and the destiny of the French nation to liberate the people of Europe from despotism, in other words to help other people of Europe to become nations.
what prepared the way for french armies to move into some states
when the news of the events in France reached the different cities of Europe, students and other members of educated middle classes began to setting up Jacobin clubs. their activities and compaigns prepared the way for the French armies which moved into Holland, Belgium, Switzerland and much of Italy in the 1790s
what happened with the outbreak of revolutionary wars
with the outbreak of revolutionary wars, the French armies began to carry the idea of nationalism abroad
what came under napoleon’s control and what was he trying to set about
within the wide swathe of territory that came under his control, Napoleon set about introducing many reforms that he had already introduced in france.
Did Napoleon destroy democracy in France?
no doubt, Napoleon had destroyed democracy in France, but in the administrative field he had incorporated revolutionary principles in order to make the whole system more rational and efficient.
what did civil code of 1804 include
it is also known as Napoleonic code and it did away all the previleges based on birth, established equality before the law, and secured right to property. This code was exported to the regions under french control. In the Dutch republic, in switzerland, In Italy and Germany, Napoleon simplified administrative divisions, abolished feudal system and freed peasants from serfdom and manorial dues. in the towns too, guild restrictions were removed. Transport and communication systems were improved. Peasants, artisans, workers and new businessman, enjoyed a new found freedom.
what was the reaction of the people against Napoleon?
in the areas conquered, the reactions of the local populations to french rule were mixed. Initially, in many places such as Holland and Switzerland as well as in certain cities like Brussels, Mainz, MIlan, and Warsaw, the french armies were welcomed as Harbingers of Liberty.
But the initial enthusiasm soon turned to hostility, as it became clear that the new administrative arrangements did not go hand in hand with political freedom
what changes did napoleon introduce that did not go hand in hand with the administrative arrangements?
increased taxation
censorship
forced conscription into french armies required to conquer the rest of europe, all seemed to outweigh the advantages of the administrative changes.
