Why did nationalism rise in many of the regions that were part of Napoleon’s empire?

People had been oppressed under previous rulers and attributed their new freedom to France.
People in these conquered regions did not have strong cultures before and embraced French identity.
People resented being conquered and wanted to reclaim the ways of their original cultures.
People feared being overtaken by powers in the East and developed a desire to unify against those powers.

All of the above reasons contributed to the rise of nationalism in the regions that were part of Napoleon's empire. However, it is important to note that the specific reasons may vary for each region. Additionally, economic reforms, administrative changes, and the spread of Enlightenment ideas also played a role in fueling nationalist sentiments.

pick one

If I have to pick one reason, it would be that people had been oppressed under previous rulers and attributed their new freedom to France. The French Revolution and the Napoleonic era brought about significant political and social changes, such as the abolition of feudalism and the establishment of more inclusive legal systems. These changes provided newfound freedoms and liberties for the people within Napoleon's empire, leading them to associate these positive changes with France and develop a sense of nationalism.