Question

What does La Patrie mean?

Answer 1

La patrie is french word used for fatherland. The ideas of la patrie (the fatherland) and le citoyen (the citizen) emphasized the notion of a united community enjoying equal rights under a constitution.It was initiated by French revolutionaries to create a collective belonging among the country men.

Collective Identity among French Citizens – Measures taken by French Revolutionaries

The French Revolutionaries took various measures to create a sense of collective identity among the citizens of France. The measures taken by the revolutionaries are given below:

• Le citoyen (the citizen) and La patrie (the fatherland) was one of the measures undertaken by French Revolutionaries to create a sense of collective identity among people of France.
• The former royal standard flag was replaced by a new French flag, the tricolour was chosen.
• A body of active citizens elected the Estate General, and it was renamed as the National Assembly.
• Martyrs were commemorated in the name of the nation.
• Oaths were taken in the name of the nation.
• New Hymns were composed in the name of the nation.
• French, as it was spoken and written in Paris, became the common language of the nation, regional dialects were not encouraged.
• Uniform laws for all citizens within its territory were formulated by the new centralised administrative system.
• A uniform system of measures and weights were adopted.
• Internal customs duties and dues were abolished.

The Revolutionaries declared that it was the destiny and mission of France to liberate other people from despotism and help them create nations.