Rise of Nationalism in Europe

Nationalism in 19th Century Europe

• The ideological impetus that transformed Europe in the 19th century was Nationalism, which emphasized national identity and cultural self-expression through nationhood.
• This intellectual movement was characterized by a strong sense of national identity and a desire for political unity and independence.
• Countries that were formed by uniting various regional states with a common 'national identity' include Germany and Italy, which were previously fragmented into smaller states.
• The key exponent of the modern idea of the nation-state was Johann Gottlieb Fichte, a German philosopher who believed that a nation's identity was shaped by its language, culture, and history.
• The event that stimulated the rise of nationalism in Europe was the French Revolution, which spread the ideas of liberty, equality, and fraternity, and inspired people to fight for their national independence.