In the Middle Ages, the French aristocracy took pleasure in bullying the French people. At that time, no one felt that "France" was a country, and no one would publicize: "Loving one's own people is better than loving foreign countries."

In the Middle Ages, the French aristocracy took pleasure in bullying the French people.

At that time, no one felt that "France" was a country

No one will preach nationalism such as "love for one's own people more than for foreigners."

This is an era without "French values"

So when were French values "produced"?

It was not until the 7 Years' War of the 18th century

During the war, the king and the government needed to mobilize a lot of people's strength

So he began to take the initiative to build the concept of the "French nation" through political activities

Then, the King of France mobilized artists to create a large number of paintings and sculptures with patriotic themes

This is very abnormal

Because in the original, patriotism was not encouraged or even allowed

Because Montesquieu explained it very clearly:

Patriotic fervor was superfluous to the monarchical state existence, but as soon as the war began, the king's attitude changed.

I will translate it again: loyalty to the monarch must be greater than patriotism; otherwise, what do you do when the interests of the monarch and the interests of the state conflict?

Then, the massive publicity began

The best way to do this is to find someone to idolize (preferably a dead man, because the dead man can't speak, let alone fight for political rights)

Who are you looking for? There was readily available— the first French officer to die in the Seven Years' War

At that time, the Governor of Virginia sent a 22-year-old young officer to patrol: George Washington

Unexpectedly, he was young and vigorous, and actually killed 9 French soldiers who had already surrendered

This was the excuse for France to go to war with Britain later

One of the 9 Frenchmen who died captured Washington alive a month later and forced him to write a "confession."

The content was: "When the British [led by Washington] launched a surprise attack, the French hung the flag of truce."

Of course, such an infamous confessional book cannot be found in the history of Americans themselves.

When someone asked washington about it, he explained in exasperation: "The confession was written in French, I couldn't understand it, I was forced to sign my name."

At this point, the French picked up the gun, and the dead French were regarded as the glory of France, and were madly commemorated and publicized

For the first time, "state-to-state conflict" has been officially used as the theme of propaganda

In the past, it was all about "royal family", "religion", "to defend the honor of the king", "to defend Catholicism", and so on

This kind of propaganda, which is quite effective, invigorates the spirit of the French government, and then increases its efforts.........

How?

Rummaging through boxes and cabinets to put together 265 French celebrities, printed on the calendar, one a day ...

By 1758, the war was getting worse and worse, and the government's propaganda was becoming more and more powerful

Direct order: The Académie française organizes a speech contest with the theme of "Great Men of France"

In the end, a total of 16 great men were selected, including Descartes, Louis XII, Molière and so on

Today we can be familiar with these celebrities, there are so many materials to read, all rely on the French government to rummage through the boxes and cabinets to find information and write articles.

Although France eventually lost the 7-Year War, the nationalist movement that promoted the "French values" left a valuable spiritual legacy.

However, this exercise also has side effects...

After the propaganda is too fierce, it will make the people have a thought: "Is the king a great man from heaven?" If not, then what right does he have to rule over me? ”

This side effect was already there at the time

Therefore, while promoting patriotic enthusiasm, the French royal family constantly emphasizes: "Patriotism is the patriotic king"

As Montesquieu said earlier, "Patriotism and absolute monarchy are contradictory."

Propagating patriotism inevitably leads to doubts about absolute monarchy

After all, the state itself cannot make mistakes, but the monarch and his courtiers will, and will

This kind of doubt, the kings after Louis XIV are all skilled in imperial art, of course, will try to prevent it

"As soon as the 7-year war ended, the great French men were locked in a drawer, and no one was allowed to mention it, and whoever brought it to prison was put in prison."

Unfortunately, it backfired, and half a century later, these doubts came to an outbreak

Thus, the king of France went to the guillotine.........