I cannot understand what's being asked here?

Question

> What are the ways in which the universal, inclusive conception of French nationalism was tested by a (racially-conceived) particularistic, exclusive one?I'm at loss, I don't know what's being asked. What does this mean?

Answer 1

Essentially, what this question is asking is how two camps of french nationalism interacted. The first one mentioned is the desire for a French nation that is inclusive towards all people, a country in which people of any race or religion can find common ground in being French citizens. The second camp is one in which the desire for a French nation is such that that nation would only include (presumably) ethnically French, white citizens.