‘‘The first clear expression of nationalism came with the ‘French Revolution’ in 1789.’’ Examine the statement. (CBSE 2017)

France, being a full-fledged territorial state in 1789, under the rule of an absolute monarchy, witnessed political and constitutional changes in the wake of the French Revolution. From the very beginning, French revolutionaries adopted practices and measures that would help in creating a sense of collective identity among people and bind them with the spirit of nationalism.

1. The idea of la patrie (the fatherland) and le citoyen (the citizen) supported the notion of a united community enjoying equal rights under a constitution.

2. A new French Flag, the tricolour, was chosen to replace the former royal standard and the Estates General was elected by the body of active citizens and renamed, the National Assembly.

3. New Hymns were composed, oaths taken and martyrs commemorated in the name of the nation. Uniform laws were formulated for all citizens by a centralized administrative system.

4. A uniform system of weights and measures was adopted, whereby all kinds of internal customs duties and dues were abolished.

5. French, which was spoken and written in Paris, became the common language of the nation and regional dialects were increasingly discouraged.

NOTE – The French Revolution took place in 1789. It saw a radical transfer of power from the absolute monarchy to a body of French citizens. The revolution claimed to empower the citizens who would shape the future of the French nation.