12 Questions
What term is used to describe a form of monarchical government that is centralised, militarised, and repressive?
Dynastic
Who created the image depicted in Fig. 1 that symbolizes fraternity among the nations of the world?
Sorrieu
According to Ernst Renan, what does he criticize as the basis for forming a nation?
Common language
What flag did the German peoples carry in Fig. 1, symbolizing liberal hopes in 1848 to unify the German-speaking principalities?
Black, red, and gold
What kind of power was developing in Europe over time, leading to the emergence of modern nation-states?
Centralized power
What concept did Ernst Renan emphasize as crucial for defining a nation in his lecture?
Sacrifice and devotion
In Sorrieu's series of prints visualising a world of democratic and social Republics, what does the first print depict?
People of Europe and America offering homage to the statue of Liberty
What does the female figure of Liberty hold in each hand in Sorrieu's first print?
Torch of Enlightenment and the Charter of the Rights of Man
How are the peoples of the world represented in Sorrieu's utopian vision?
Grouped as distinct nations with flags and national costumes
Which countries lead the procession in Sorrieu's print, according to the text?
United States and Switzerland
What lies in the foreground of Sorrieu's print, symbolizing a rejection of absolutist institutions?
Shattered remains of symbols
What historical context influenced Sorrieu's creation of his prints?
French Revolution and rise of nationalism in Europe
Study Notes
Nationalism and Utopian Vision
- In 1848, French artist Frédéric Sorrieu created a series of prints visualizing a world made up of democratic and social republics.
- The first print, "The Dream of Worldwide Democratic and Social Republics – The Pact Between Nations", depicts people from Europe and America marching together, offering homage to the statue of Liberty, symbolizing unity and democracy.
- The statue of Liberty is personified as a female figure, holding the torch of Enlightenment and the Charter of the Rights of Man, while the shattered remains of absolutist institutions lie in the foreground.
Sorrieu's Utopian Vision
- In Sorrieu's vision, nations are grouped together, identified by their flags and national costumes, with the United States and Switzerland leading the procession.
- France, identifiable by the revolutionary tricolour, has just reached the statue, followed by the peoples of Germany, Austria, and other nations.
- The German people, although not yet united as a nation, are depicted carrying the black, red, and gold flag, symbolizing liberal hopes for unity and democracy.
Nation-States and Nationalism
- During the 19th century, nationalism emerged as a force that brought about sweeping changes in the political and mental world of Europe.
- The concept of a nation-state, in which a centralised power exercised sovereign control over a clearly defined territory, developed over time in Europe.
- A nation-state was formed when the majority of its citizens, not just its rulers, developed a sense of common identity and shared history or descent.
Ernst Renan's Definition of a Nation
- In 1882, French philosopher Ernst Renan outlined his understanding of what makes a nation in a lecture at the University of Sorbonne.
- Renan argued that a nation is not formed by a common language, race, religion, or territory, but by a shared history, sacrifices, and devotion.
- According to Renan, a nation is the culmination of a long past of endeavours, sacrifice, and devotion, with a heroic past, great men, and glory.
Explore a quiz on Frédéric Sorrieu's series of prints envisioning a world of democratic and social republics, featuring the depiction of Liberty as a female figure. Learn about the significance of the artwork in relation to the French Revolution era.
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