External Factors that shaped French nationalism before/during French Revolution and Results of this newly created French Nationalism.

What are some Factors that shaped French Revolution?

Historical Factors: The day when French Revolution began was a historical factor. On July 14, 1789 about 600 people took down Bastille where the king kept people who spoke against him. This day was the first day of French Revolution and now it's considered a national holiday in France.

Bastille July 14, 1789

 Social Factors: In simpler words, the relationship among people in a society. These Factors include:

• Who should be considered important and who should not.
• Who should lead and who should follow.
• Who should be included and who should be excluded.
• How groups should work out conflicts and respond to challenges.

Before French Revolution, there were three main classes: The Nobility, Clergy and the 3rd Class. 4% of the population was included in The Nobility and Clergy and rest of the 96% was common people. These common people had to pay taxes but the higher class did not. This made all the citizens angry so, people wanted equality and French Revolution was the answer. People started to have new ideas about liberty, happiness, individual rights etc. Also, the standards of Bourgeoisie (middle class) were growing and they were getting aware of the world and their rights which gave information to other citizens to step up and show some nationalism.

Economic Factors: France in 18th century was constantly at war with other rivals in Europe and supporting rebels in American Revolution which were costly and bringing economic crisis on French. Also, wife of the king Marie was spending money on her hair styling, jewelry etc in the crisis. As a result The king Louis XVI had to call the estates generals for help which did not happen in last 100 plus years. This created more temper in the citizens and the middle class Bourgeoisie made a constitution that set out equal rights and was called The National Assembly and swore the Tennis Court Oath.

The National Assembly while they swore to Tennis Court Oath.

Geographic Factors: When Louis XVI was demanding people to pay more tax there was snow in the winter of 1788-1789 which blocked the roads and no trade and travel was possible. After the snow melted France was flooded and people were not able to afford bread.

Political Factors: After National Assembly was established other European countries were forcing King Louis XVI to take an action because other countries did not want their citizens to protest. After a while Revolution became more and more radical and extreme. People were killed without any reason, shops were robbed, and women were raped. Fortunately, Napoleon came in action and pointed French toward to protect themselves from other rivals. People considered him an inspirational leader. The rule of law he established is the basis of the legal system in France today. But other remember him as a dictator who was blamed for the millions of soldiers killed in the battles and wars.

Napoleon.

Napoleon on a bike.

 The results of this newly created nationalism were amazing. People were bonded together as a nation and they fought together for one cause and they succeeded. And here is a well explained mind map of why French Revolution existed.

Please follow this link to see the above mind map in larger resolution: http://schoolworkhelper.net/wp-content/uploads/2011/05/causes_french_revolution.gif

All the images are from Google search engine.

How does identity relate to Nation?

National Identity



What is National Identity?

I think National Identity is based on which nation you belong to and what kind of of similarities you share with others. Also, it depends on what kind of policy you are living under as a group. Some nations are based on ethnic backgrounds, so they are called ethnic nations but there are nations which are based under laws with different cultures, races, religions, language etc. and are known as civic nations. In addition, your identity is reflected by your own nation. For further understandings following examples are provided:
1. First example can be Korea, Korea is similar to an ethnic nation because people in Korea are majorly ethnic to Korea. They have the same culture, religion, language etc. under a sovereignty and law to protect their values. This allow them to practice their identity and retain it for following generations. On the other hand, North Korea is under dictatorship which does not allow people to practice their beliefs which effects their identity.Koreans from south say that North-Koreans should not be under dictatorship because they are their brothers and sisters who belong to their similar nation.








                    Korea                                                          North-Korea

2. Second example can be Canada which is opposite to Korea because we have a civic nation which consists of different groups but as a whole. Canadian law protects every group's values which keeps us Canadians together as a nation. Multiculturalism can be an example of a law which is totally made by citizens of Canada to protect their identity in form of their culture. This allow us to practice our identity and retain it from assimilation from other majorities.

The reading you have done until this point was my understanding and below this text you can watch a video from a  professional's perspective:
NOTE: In the video the professional who is Gregory Maniatis talks about National Identity for only 1 minute and 10 seconds, rest of the video is about a debate which is  about Migration.)

  **This video was uploaded by: salzburgseminar on Youtube.**