Question & Answer » GK Questions » Explain the Statement: When France Sneezes, the Rest of Europe Catches a Cold.

Explain the Statement: When France Sneezes, the Rest of Europe Catches a Cold.

Answer: “When France sneezes, the rest of Europe catches a cold,” was said by Metternich, the Austrian chancellor. He believed that the political developments in France were intriguing for other European nations. Similar to the French Revolution and democratic, egalitarian, and fraternal beliefs.

The bulk of European nations pursued France with persistence.

Similar instances occurred in other European countries as a result of the events in France.

In France, the July Revolution sparked a clothing rebellion that led to the separation of Belgium from the United Kingdom of the Netherlands.  So Metternich quoted that When France sneezes, the whole of Europe develops a cold.