Question

Today, Germany, Italy and France are countries but back in the 18th century these were not countries or nations. Kingdoms, duchies and cantons existed instead of nations. Which of the following option is relevant to this statement?

• A. If I travelled to France in 1740s, I would be visiting a kingdom and not a country.
• B. Germany and France together were a huge kingdom .
• C. Even today Germany and Italy are not countries, they are states of Europe.
• D. Italy was a country since the 15th century while others were kingdoms fighting for democracy.

Answer 1

The correct option is A If I travelled to France in 1740s, I would be visiting a kingdom and not a country.

In the 18th century, European states like Germany, Italy and Switzerland were not nations but were different kingdoms, duchies and cantons. As the years passed by, the states began to share culture and heritage, forming the nation states. Thus in 1740 France was a kingdom and not a country.