Social Studies VSQ (2 Marks)

Romanticism was a movement in literature and arts, that originated in the late 18th century, emphasizing subjectivity, inspiration and the supremacy of the individual.
a. Critical approach towards science and reason: Glorification of reason and science was criticised by the romantic artists, rather they favoured emotions, intuitions and mystical feelings.
b. Folk culture as the spirit of the nation: Romantics like the German philosopher Johann Gottfried Herder claimed that the true spirit of the nation could be popularised through folk songs, folk poetry and folk dances. He held the view that true German culture could be discovered only among the common people, the Das Volk.
c. Emphasis on vernacular language: They gave emphasis on vernacular language to carry the modern nationalist message to a large audience who were mostly illiterate and to recover the national spirit.

The steps are taken to create a sense of collective identity amongst French people by the French revolutionaries included:
i. The ideas of fatherland (la patrie) and citizen (le citoyen) were spread to bring the notion of a united community having equal rights and protected by a constitution.
ii. A new flag was chosen of tricolour to represent the nation and the royal standard was removed.
iii. New hymns, oaths and martyrs commemorated in the name of the nation.
iv. The Estates General became the National Assembly and its members were elected by a body of active citizens.
v. Uniform system of weights, measures were adopted and the abolition of internal customs.
vi. Promoting French as a common language of the nation.