8. Who was most responsible for making French the national language of France?

The most significant figure in establishing French as the national language of France was King Francis I. In the early 16th century, he implemented the Ordinance of Villers-Cotterêts in 1539, which mandated the use of French in official documents and legal proceedings, effectively promoting its use over Latin. This decree marked a crucial step in the standardization and elevation of the French language within the nation. Over time, subsequent policies and cultural movements further solidified French as the national language.