<P> Language and cultural policy was sometimes negative, aimed at the suppression of non-national elements . Language prohibitions were sometimes used to accelerate the adoption of national languages and the decline of minority languages (see examples: Anglicisation, Czechization, Francisation, Italianization, Germanisation, Magyarisation, Polonisation, Russification, Serbization, Slovakisation). </P> <P> In some cases, these policies triggered bitter conflicts and further ethnic separatism . But where it worked, the cultural uniformity and homogeneity of the population increased . Conversely, the cultural divergence at the border became sharper: in theory, a uniform French identity extends from the Atlantic coast to the Rhine, and on the other bank of the Rhine, a uniform German identity begins . To enforce that model, both sides have divergent language policy and educational systems . </P> <Table> <Tr> <Td> </Td> <Td> This section possibly contains original research . Please improve it by verifying the claims made and adding inline citations . Statements consisting only of original research should be removed . (May 2016) (Learn how and when to remove this template message) </Td> </Tr> </Table> <Tr> <Td> </Td> <Td> This section possibly contains original research . Please improve it by verifying the claims made and adding inline citations . Statements consisting only of original research should be removed . (May 2016) (Learn how and when to remove this template message) </Td> </Tr>

Where did the idea of states come from