Question

Who gave this statement “When France sneezes, the rest of Europe catches a cold”?

• A. Bismarck
• B. Cavour
• C. Mazzini
• D. Metternich

Hint:

Metternich’s quote reflects his fear that any political instability in France could destabilize the rest of Europe, especially given France's revolutionary history.

Answer 1

The Correct Option is D

The statement “When France sneezes, the rest of Europe catches a cold” was made by Metternich, the Austrian foreign minister and a key figure in European diplomacy during the 19th century. Context:
- Klemens von Metternich was a dominant figure in European politics after the Napoleonic Wars. He is best known for his role in the Congress of Vienna (1814-1815), where European powers sought to restore stability after Napoleon’s defeat. - This statement reflects the view that the political instability or revolution in France often had wide-reaching consequences for the rest of Europe. The French Revolution of 1789 and subsequent Napoleonic Wars had already demonstrated how France's political upheavals could disrupt the entire European order. - Metternich, a staunch conservative, feared the spread of revolutionary ideas from France to other parts of Europe, which is why he is believed to have coined this phrase.