Question

What is meant by “When France sneezes, whole of Europe catches cold.”?

Answer 1

Austrian Chancellor Metternich said the following statement "When France sneezes, whole of Europe catches cold".

He used the metaphor of cold to explain the germs that began in France spread to rest of the Europe. At that time (in the context of Napolean era) the political upheaval in France and ideological developments like ideals of liberty, equality and fraternity had affected all parts of Europe. And France managed to exert its influence.