Western Civilization II / Unit 8 WC2 0711 short lesson, about 20 seconds
What French Rule Brought the Conquered: Codes, Customs, Serfdom Abolished
Captions available
The idea
In the puppet states French rule meant single customs areas, unified weights and measures, written constitutions, equality before the law, abolished noble privilege, secularized church property, abolished serfdom and religious toleration. Commoners, the anchor says, often experienced conquest partly as liberation, at least early.
In practice
The Revolution exported at the point of a bayonet.
Where people slip
Liberation faded as looting and conscription followed.
Your place on the trail
Every lesson rests on earlier ones and opens later ones. Tap any to jump.
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