Nationalism in Europe

Causes of Nationalism

• Cultural and Linguistic Identity: People began to identify with their own culture, language, and history, creating a sense of belonging and shared identity.
• Economic Factors: Industrialization and trade created economic competition, leading to a desire for national unity and protection.
• Political and Social Changes: The French Revolution's ideas of liberty, equality, and fraternity inspired nationalist movements across Europe.
• Romanticism: Emphasis on emotion, folklore, and national heritage fueled nationalist sentiment.

Unification of Italy

• Italian Unification: Process of creating a unified Italian state from various independent kingdoms and city-states.
• Giuseppe Mazzini: Italian nationalist who advocated for a unified Italy, inspired by the French Revolution.
• Giuseppe Garibaldi: Italian general who led military campaigns to unify Italy.
• Count Camillo di Cavour: Prime Minister of Sardinia who played a key role in unifying Italy through diplomacy and strategic alliances.

Unification of Germany

• German Unification: Process of creating a unified German state from various independent kingdoms and city-states.
• Otto von Bismarck: Prussian Prime Minister who unified Germany through a series of wars and diplomatic maneuvers.
• Franco-Prussian War: War between France and Prussia that led to the unification of Germany under Prussian leadership.
• German Confederation: Loose association of German states that Bismarck manipulated to create a unified German state.

Nationalist Movements

• Greek War of Independence: Successful nationalist movement against Ottoman rule, leading to Greek independence.
• Polish Nationalist Movement: Series of uprisings against Russian, Prussian, and Austrian rule, ultimately leading to Polish independence.
• Czech and Slovak Nationalist Movements: Movements for independence from Austro-Hungarian rule, leading to the creation of Czechoslovakia.

Impact of Nationalism on Europe

• Rise of Tensions: Nationalist rivalries and competitions led to increased tensions and conflicts between European states.
• Reorganization of Europe: Nationalist movements led to the redrawing of European borders, creating new nation-states.
• Balkanization: Break-up of the Ottoman Empire, leading to the creation of smaller, independent states in the Balkans.

Strange Case of Britain

• Unique Nationalist Experience: Britain's nationalist movement was characterized by a strong sense of imperial identity and a lack of fragmentation, unlike other European states.
• British Empire: Britain's extensive colonial empire and global influence contributed to a distinctive nationalist experience.
• Lack of Unification: Britain did not require unification, as it was already a unified state, unlike Italy and Germany.
• Nationalist Sentiment: British nationalist sentiment was focused on maintaining and expanding the empire, rather than creating a new nation-state.