Question

What steps did the French revolutionaries take to create a sense of collective identity among the French people?

Answer 1

Hint: The French people were filled with the thought that they had to help other people of Europe and bring an end to despotism. Like France, people wanted the liberation of more nation-states.

Complete answer: The French revolutionaries took multiple-step to ensure that a sense of collective identity among the French people was maintained. They introduced various ideas such as ‘la Patrie’ which means the fatherland and ‘la Citoyen’ which means the citizens. This induced in them a community feeling and concept of equal right under the constitution. They replaced the royal flag and furthermore replaced it with a tri-coloured flag to establish common spirit. The Estates-General was now elected by the common people and was named ‘national assembly’. In order to celebrate the birth of a new nation, they composed new hymns and took oaths to bring together each and every individual. The martyrs were commemorated and citizens started to establish a bond with each other. The revolutionaries started promoting the French language to make people realise that they all are the same and should respect each other. This was also extended to a level that regional dialects were discouraged and people were told to converse in French. They were brought under the notion that other states of Europe will also become nation-states and that despotism will come to an end.

Note: There were some administrative changes such as a uniform system of weights and measures all over France, abolishment of the custom duties and the formulation of laws that are applicable to every citizen.