<P> Napoleon conquered most of Italy in the name of the French Revolution in 1797--99 . He consolidated old units and split up Austria's holdings . He set up a series of new republics, complete with new codes of law and abolition of old feudal privileges . Napoleon's Cisalpine Republic was centered on Milan . Genoa the city became a republic while its hinterland became the Ligurian Republic . The Roman Republic was formed out of the papal holdings while the pope himself was sent to France . The Neapolitan Republic was formed around Naples, but it lasted only five months before the enemy forces of the Coalition recaptured it . </P> <P> In 1805 he formed the Kingdom of Italy, with himself as king and his stepson as viceroy . In addition, France turned the Netherlands into the Batavian Republic, and Switzerland into the Helvetic Republic . All these new countries where satellites of France, and had to pay large subsidies to Paris, as well as provide military support for Napoleon's wars . Their political and administrative systems were modernized, the metric system introduced, and trade barriers reduced . Jewish ghettos were abolished . Belgium and Piedmont became integral parts of France . The new nations were abolished and returned to prewar owners in 1814 . However, Artz emphasizes the benefits the Italians gained from the French Revolution: </P> <Dl> <Dd> For nearly two decades the Italians had the excellent codes of law, a fair system of taxation, a better economic situation, and more religious and intellectual toleration than they had known for centuries...Everywhere old physical, economic, and intellectual barriers had been thrown down and the Italians had begun to be aware of a common nationality . </Dd> </Dl> <Dd> For nearly two decades the Italians had the excellent codes of law, a fair system of taxation, a better economic situation, and more religious and intellectual toleration than they had known for centuries...Everywhere old physical, economic, and intellectual barriers had been thrown down and the Italians had begun to be aware of a common nationality . </Dd>

What was impact of french revolution on france