“Liberty, equality, fraternity”. From 1789 onwards, this was the fundamental guideline of the French Revolution. The Declaration of the Rights of Man and of the Citizen and the French Directory related to the Napoleonic Code established this affirmation of liberalism throughout Europe. These factors, combined with Napoleon's beliefs in liberalism and unity, lead many European nations – including the Germanic and Italian states – to develop a strong sense of nationalism. The French Revolution was the beginning not only of French nationalism, but of nationalism throughout Europe. Building on Enlightenment thinking, the passage of the Declaration of the Rights of Man and Citizen in 1789 marked the beginning of this nationalist movement. From the Declaration was born the Reign of Terror, led by the National Convention. During the Terror, Enlightenment thinking and the idea of ​​equal rights were distorted and misleading. After the execution of one of the main leaders of the Convention, Maximilien Robespierre, France entered a period of necessary recovery and reorganization. This period of recovery was led by the French Directory. Although not often credited, the Directory was essential to Napoleon Bonaparte becoming the first consul of France. With Napoleon's rise to power, his belief in freedom, equality, and the formation of the Napoleonic Code, France became one of the most powerful empires of the period. He spread these beliefs by conquering various European countries with his armies. Among these countries were the German states, as well as the Italian states. The spread of French nationalism and the pressure of a new government under the Code gave rise to nationalism in these countries. In May 1789, King Louis XVI summoned the Estate...... middle of paper...... (12, pg 75). In April 1814 a mob attacked Finance Minister Giuseppe Prina, signaling growing resentment against the French government and a rise in Italian nationalism (12, page 75). Instead of a dominant French government, the Italian people wanted their own government (12, pg 75). The Declaration of the Rights of Man and of the Citizen approved by the National Assembly in 1789 formed the main basis for a constitutional monarchy in France. Although distorted and misguided by the Jacobins of the National Convention during the Reign of Terror period, the French Directory allowed for neutrality between both ideas of government. Furthermore, the overthrow of the Directory allowed for the rise of Napoleon Bonaparte, who spread his ideas of nationalism throughout Europe, particularly through his Code, and evidently demonstrated in the German and Italian states.