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The French Revolution in 1789 and subsequent wars that lasted for a quarter century had a profound effect on society in Europe. Governments were toppled, boundaries changed, revolutionary ideas concerning the equality of man spread throughout the continent, and war with all its concomitant problems engulfed the continent. For the genealogical researcher, the French Revolutionary and Napoleonic period is of enormous | The French Revolution in 1789 and subsequent wars that lasted for a quarter century had a profound effect on society in Europe. Governments were toppled, boundaries changed, revolutionary ideas concerning the equality of man spread throughout the continent, and war with all its concomitant problems engulfed the continent. For the genealogical researcher, the French Revolutionary and Napoleonic period is of enormous importance because of the changes that occurred in Germany. The French introduced a number of changes which greatly affected the political and social organization in Germany. These changes can be divided into five areas: boundaries, civil registration, names, French Republican calendar, and military.<br> | ||
At the time of the French Revolution in 1789 Germany was not a unified country. It was made up of hundreds of differing political entities. These included kingdoms, duchies, grand duchies, bishoprics, and others. Click here to see a detailed [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:HRR_1789_EN.png map of Germany in 1789]. | At the time of the French Revolution in 1789 Germany was not a unified country. It was made up of hundreds of differing political entities. These included kingdoms, duchies, grand duchies, bishoprics, and others. Click here to see a detailed [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:HRR_1789_EN.png map of Germany in 1789]. | ||