The French Revolution and the Idea of the Nation

The French Revolution and the Idea of the Nation

The French Revolution is regarded as one of the most important events in history. It not only gave a huge setback to monarchy but also gave the first clear expression to the idea of ‘nationalism’. 

The French Revolution led to the transfer of sovereignty from monarchy to the French citizens. 

The Constitution in France came into existence and citizens were awarded with the rights of liberty and equality.

The French revolutionaries introduced various measures and practices to create a sense of collective identity amongst the French people. These were:

°The ideas of la patrie (the fatherland) and le citoyen (the citizen) was introduced.

 The Estates General was renamed the ‘National Assembly’. Its members were elected by active citizens (citizens who paid taxes to the government).

 The new French flag replaced the former royal standard.

 Nation now became supreme. Hymns were composed and oaths were taken on the name of the nation. It was regarded as a ‘fatherland’.

 The administrative system was centralised, and uniform laws were formulated for all citizens.

 A uniform system of weights and measures was adopted, and internal custom duties and dues

were abolished.

 The French language was made the common language of the people residing in France.

 The revolutionaries declared that their next motive is to help other people of Europe to become nations.

The French Revolution impacted the middle class including professionals and students in several countries such as Switzerland, Holland, Italy and Belgium. They also wanted to throw off the monarchies in their countries and become nations.

Napoleon – Child of the French Revolution

The rise of Napoleon marked the rise of monarchy in France. However, Napoleon implemented some revolutionary ideas and principles in France. He did this by taking the following steps:

 He introduced the Civil Code of 1804, also known as the Napoleonic Code. This Code instituted the principle of equality of all people before the law, right to property was established and all privileges enjoyed by the people of high birth and class were abolished.

 This Code was also promulgated to other parts of Europe which were

controlled by France.

 In many European countries such as Switzerland, Germany, Dutch

Republic and Italy, he simplified the administrative machinery, ended

the feudal system and liberated the peasants from serfdom.

 In towns, restrictions imposed on guilds were removed, and transport

and communication systems were improved. Businessmen, small

industrialists and traders began to realise the importance and advantages of a uniform system of laws.

 People of other European countries initially welcomed the French armies but later began to oppose them because of increased taxation and censorship imposed on them.

The Beginning of Nationalism in Europe

During the mid-eighteenth century, there were no nation states in Europe. Italy, Germany and Switzerland were not one nation but were divided into various kingdoms. 

Central and eastern Europe

was under absolute monarchies. Several factors led to the emergence of the idea of nationalism in the later half the eighteenth century. 

Some of these were the rise of the middle class, liberalism and the rise of a new conservatism after 1815 and its opposition by the people.