Inspired by the success of the American Revolution, French citizens overthrew the noble, ruling class and establish a democratic government. The French monarchy under Louis XVI was viewed as oppressive and corrupt and the social structure was rigid, meaning it did not allow for social mobility, people to rise above to status, such as from poor to middle class. The poor, uneducated class, known as the Third Estate, made up 98% of the population. The upper classes of nobility and clergy (the First and Second Estates, respectively) only made up a mere 2% of the entire population, as represented in the cartoon. It is no wonder the people of France rose up in a spirit of nationalism to overthrow the oppressive system and establish a society controlled by themselves, and is it even impossible for 2% to govern 98%. They wanted to govern themselves as a democracy but maintain their French identity. This is the essence of nationalistic movements.
Nationalism is ones pride of their own nation.
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