Nationalism in Europe and Nation-States

A government with unlimited power, often associated with monarchs and centralized control, military power, and oppression.

An ideal society that is so perfect it's unlikely to exist in reality.

A strong feeling of pride in and devotion to one's nation. Often involves a sense of shared culture, history, and identity.

The process of unifying different regions or groups of people into a single nation-state, often based on shared language, culture, or history.

A set of principles and legal guarantees that outline the rights and freedoms of citizens in a society.

A symbol of enlightenment and liberty, often depicted as a female figure holding a torch and a document. Represents the spread of knowledge and freedom.

A powerful symbol of national identity, bringing people together through shared heritage, language, and culture.

A society where all citizens have equal rights and opportunities, regardless of their social class or background.

A state ruled by a single, centralized power, where the majority of citizens identify as a nation and share a common history.

The French philosopher who defined a nation as a community with a shared history, culture, and a common will in the present.

Renan's idea that a nation is constantly evolving and requires a shared understanding of its history, culture, and common destiny.

The French Revolution of 1789 marks the emergence of nationalism as a powerful force. The revolution shifted power from the monarchy to the French citizenry.

A political concept that emphasizes the sovereignty of the people, where citizens determine the destiny of the nation.

A set of laws that established equality before the law, secured property rights, and removed privileges based on birth. This Code spread to French-controlled areas.

A system of administration that focuses on uniformity, efficiency, and rationality, often employed by states to strengthen their control.

The idea that a nation has a duty to share its ideals of freedom and liberation with other peoples, often leading to expansionism.

An event that occurred during the French Revolution that marked a symbolic shift from royal power to rule by the people.

Groups that emerged in Europe during the French Revolution, led by intellectuals and students, who spread ideas of liberty and popular sovereignty.

The French flag designed during the Revolution, symbolizing a new national identity.

The name given to France as a fatherland, signifying shared ideals and a sense of national unity.

The French term for citizen, highlighting a sense of shared identity and responsibility.

The idea that everyone should have the same rights and freedoms under the law, regardless of their social status. It was a key belief of the new middle classes in 19th Century Europe.

A political system where the government is chosen by the people through elections.

A collection of laws and regulations that set out the basic rights and responsibilities of citizens in a society.

The right to vote in elections. This was a major demand of the middle classes in 19th Century Europe.

Areas with differing currencies, weights and measures, making trade difficult and time-consuming.

A group of German states that agreed to remove trade barriers and have a common currency, leading to economic growth and national unity.

The idea that the economy should be managed in a way that benefits the nation as a whole.

The belief that traditional institutions like monarchy, church, and social hierarchies should be preserved and strengthened.

The process of modernizing the state and society, for example by creating a strong army, efficient bureaucracy, and a dynamic economy.

The belief that free markets and the abolition of state restrictions on trade should be encouraged for economic growth.

A group of representatives from European powers who met in Vienna in 1815 to rebuild Europe after Napoleon's defeat.

The political system that existed in Europe before the French Revolution, characterized by absolute monarchs and limited rights for common people.

The belief that the nation should be unified based on shared culture, language, and history.

The idea that a nation's prosperity is linked to its economic strength.

The period in European history following the French Revolution and Napoleonic Wars, characterized by the emergence and spread of nationalist ideas and the formation of nation-states.

The system of social hierarchy prevalent in pre-modern Europe, characterized by the ownership of land and the obligations of peasants to landlords. It involved privileges for the nobility and restrictions for the common people.

A system of government where the monarch (king or queen) holds absolute power, with limited or no checks on their authority.

French emperor who conquered much of Europe in the early 19th century. His campaigns and reforms had a significant impact on the spread of nationalist ideas across Europe.

The series of wars fought between France and other European powers during Napoleon's reign. These wars had significant consequences for the rise of nationalism and the redrawing of European borders.

The process of liberating peasants from serfdom, freeing them from the obligations they owed to their landlords. Often associated with the French Revolution and Napoleon's reforms.

Guilds were organizations of artisans and craftsmen in medieval and early modern Europe. They controlled the quality of goods, set prices, and protected the interests of their members.

The process of standardizing weights, measures, and currency within a country. This facilitates trade, commerce, and the movement of goods.

Groups of people who live in a specific region, share common cultural traits, and identify with a collective identity. Can be based on language, religion, customs, or a sense of shared history.

A large, multi-ethnic empire that ruled over much of Central Europe in the 19th century. Its diverse population and territories contributed to the rise of nationalism and the desire for independence among various groups.

The dominant class in European society during the 18th and 19th centuries. They owned large estates, held political power, and often spoke French in high society.

The majority of the population in pre-industrial Europe. They worked the land, often on small farms or as serfs to landlords.

A political and social movement that emphasizes the importance of a shared national identity, language, culture, and history, often advocating for a unified nation-state.

The Treaty of Vienna, signed in 1815, undid many changes brought about by Napoleon. It restored Bourbon monarchy in France, set up buffer states, and rearranged territories.

After the Vienna Congress, conservative regimes ruled many European countries. They often opposed dissent, restricted freedom of speech, and sought to maintain the status quo.

The memory of the French Revolution, with its emphasis on liberty and equality, continued to inspire liberal ideals.

A political philosophy that advocates for individual liberty, limited government, constitutionalism, and free markets. Popular among the educated middle class.

Liberal-nationalists, often part of the educated middle class, criticized the conservative order and advocated for freedom of the press and other rights.

Secret societies like the Carbonari sprung up in Europe to train revolutionaries and spread their ideas, opposing the established conservative order, and fighting for liberty.

A prominent Italian revolutionary who founded Young Italy and Young Europe. He believed in the unification of Italy into a single republic.

Mazzini's belief that nations, united under a single government, were the natural unit of mankind. This inspired national unification movements.

A period of widespread revolutions and upheavals throughout Europe, driven by liberal and nationalist ideas, challenging the conservative order.

The July Revolution in France (1830) led to the overthrow of the Bourbon monarchy and the installation of a constitutional monarchy.

A period of political and social upheaval in 19th-century Europe, characterized by nationalist awakenings, liberal reforms, industrial expansion, and revolutions.

A system of ideas that reflects a specific vision for society and government.

The period from 1848 onwards when nationalist movements in Europe gained momentum, often aligning with conservative forces instead of democratic ones.

Political and social changes that occurred in Europe after 1848, including granting concessions to liberals and abolishing serfdom in many regions.

The unification of Germany into a single nation-state under Prussian leadership from 1848 to 1871.

Otto von Bismarck, the Prussian minister who played a key role in unifying Germany through war and diplomacy.

The Prussian king, William I, who was declared the first German Emperor in 1871.

The process of uniting Italy into a single nation-state under the leadership of Sardinia-Piedmont, led by Chief Minister Cavour.

The unification of Italy, unlike Germany, involved a more significant role played by aristocratic elites who saw the unification as an opportunity for economic and political growth.

A secret society founded by Giuseppe Mazzini to spread the ideas of a unified Italian Republic.

The process of modernizing the state and society, which involved reforms to the economy, legal systems, and infrastructure.

A caricature of Bismarck in the Reichstag, highlighting his perceived dominance over the elected deputies.

A situation where workers are paid very low wages and forced to work long hours in poor conditions.

A protest or uprising by workers in response to harsh working conditions, low wages, or unfair treatment.

The government or authority sending in armed forces to control or put down a protest or uprising.

A political system where the people have the right to vote and choose their government.

The belief that everyone should have equal rights and opportunities, regardless of their social background.

A social or political movement that aims to achieve equal rights and opportunities for women.

The right to vote in elections.

The ability of women to participate actively in political life, forming groups, expressing their views, and taking part in demonstrations.

A political system where the people have a say in the government, often through elected representatives.

A group of elected representatives who are responsible for making decisions about the government and laws of a nation.

The belief that a nation should have a strong military and be prepared to use force to defend its interests.

The Treaty of Constantinople in 1832 formally recognized Greece as an independent nation, signifying the end of Ottoman rule and the birth of a new nation-state.

Romanticism was a cultural movement that emphasized emotions, intuition, and shared cultural heritage as core elements of national identity, contrasting with the Enlightenment's focus on reason and science.

Eugene Delacroix, a renowned French Romantic painter, used his artwork to evoke strong emotions and create sympathy for the Greek struggle for independence. His painting "The Massacre at Chios" depicts the suffering of Greeks at the hands of the Ottoman Empire.

Johan Gottfried Herder, a German philosopher, believed that the true spirit of a nation, its 'volksgeist,' could be found in the cultural expressions of its common people, like folklore, songs, and dances.

The Grimm Brothers, Jacob and Wilhelm, were German scholars who collected and published folktales in their seminal work 'Grimms' Fairy Tales.' They believed that these tales expressed a unique German national spirit.

The Grimm Brothers saw their work of collecting folktales and developing the German language as part of a broader effort to resist French cultural influence and establish a strong German national identity.

The use of vernacular languages and the collection of local folklore were crucial tools for spreading nationalist messages to a wider population, especially in places like Poland where literacy was limited.

Despite being partitioned by Russia, Prussia, and Austria, Polish national feeling was kept alive through music and language, reflecting the strong desire for independence.

Karol Kurpinski, a Polish composer, used operas and music to celebrate the national struggle for independence, turning traditional dances like the polonaise and mazurka into powerful symbols of Polish identity.

After Russian occupation, the Polish language was suppressed in schools, with Russian being imposed as the primary language. This led to resistance efforts, with Polish becoming a symbol of national defiance and struggle against Russian dominance.

The 1830s were characterized by widespread economic hardship across Europe, marked by increased poverty, unemployment, and a struggle for survival.

The 1848 revolutions were sparked by widespread poverty, food shortages, and unemployment, with people rising up against existing regimes demanding social and economic reforms.

In 1845, weavers in Silesia, Germany, led a revolt against contractors who exploited them by paying them unfairly for their work. This protest highlighted the harsh realities of industrialization and the struggle for fair compensation.

The 1848 revolutions saw the emergence of demands for social and political reforms, with calls for a Republic, universal suffrage, and guaranteed employment. This period marked a shift towards social-democratic ideas.

The rise of nationalism in Europe was significantly influenced by cultural movements like Romanticism, which emphasized a shared sense of history, language, and cultural heritage as key components of national identity.

A person, object, or event that represents a larger abstract idea like freedom or justice.

A female personification representing France and its ideals, symbolized by liberty, justice, and the republic.

A female personification representing Germany and its ideals, symbolized by heroism and strength.

The period in European history where national identities and feelings of belonging to a nation became prominent.

The region in southeastern Europe that was a hotbed of nationalist tensions and rivalry between major European powers, leading to the First World War.

A region of diverse languages, cultures, and ethnic groups that was part of the Ottoman Empire and later became a source of tension and conflict associated with emerging nations.

The use of nationalistic sentiment and ideas to promote imperialism and expand a nation's power and influence.

Nationalism in Europe

Giuseppe Garibaldi, a renowned Italian freedom fighter, led the "Red Shirts", armed volunteers who played a crucial role in uniting Italy by conquering various regions and defeating Spanish rulers.

In 1860, Garibaldi and his Red Shirts marched into Southern Italy and the Kingdom of the Two Sicilies, gaining support from local peasants and driving out the Spanish rulers.

The unification of Italy involved various states and kingdoms, some joining earlier than others. For instance, the process started with unification in 1858-60, and the last region of Venetia joined in 1866.

Despite the achievement of unification, a significant portion of the Italian population, particularly those living in rural areas, remained unaware of the broader nationalist ideology. They were unfamiliar with the concept of a unified Italy.

The process of forming the nation-state of Great Britain was a gradual and long-drawn-out process, rather than a sudden revolution. It involved a gradual unification of England's dominance over other nations within the British Isles, such as Scotland and Ireland.

The Act of Union in 1707, which united England and Scotland, marked a significant step in making England the dominant force within the United Kingdom. This led to suppression of Scottish culture and political institutions.

The unification of Ireland into the United Kingdom in 1801 involved suppressing Catholic revolts and promoting a dominant English culture. This process led to the suppression of Irish identity and culture.

The British flag (Union Jack), the national anthem "God Save Our Noble King", and the English language were promoted as symbols of a unified British identity, while other nations within the union maintained a subordinate status.

The term "ethnic" refers to a shared racial, tribal, or cultural origin that a community identifies with. It emphasizes a sense of shared ancestry, history, or traditions.

Nationalism can be visualized by personifying a nation as a female figure, often representing abstract ideas like liberty, strength, or destiny. This approach uses allegory to give a concrete form to the concept of a nation-state.

The artist's caricature in Fig. 15 depicts Garibaldi helping the King of Sardinia-Piedmont to pull on the boot named "Italy". This caricature satirically suggests that the King of Sardinia was trying to control and exploit Southern Italy.

Giuseppe Garibaldi, known as a freedom fighter, joined the Young Italy movement in 1834, which aimed for Italian unification. He was forced into exile for his revolutionary activities.

Garibaldi's Red Shirts, a force of armed volunteers, were not simply soldiers; they were a symbol of popular support, demonstrating the widespread desire for Italian unification.

In 1867, Garibaldi led a force of volunteers to Rome to fight the last obstacle to unification, attempting to conquer the Papal States. This attempt failed due to the French garrison protecting the Papacy.