The Rise of Nationalism in Europe – Notes
Introduction
Nationalism means a sense of unity and common identity among people.
The chapter begins with the painting of Frederic Sorrieu showing his
dream of a world made up of democratic and social republics.
The French Revolution and the Idea of the Nation
The French Revolution in 1789 introduced the idea of the nation-state.
Key changes:
o End of monarchy and establishment of a republic.
o Ideas of liberty, equality, fraternity spread.
o New symbols like the tricolour, national anthem, national
holidays.
o Uniform laws, weights and measures, and language promoted
unity.
Napoleon spread revolutionary ideas across Europe but also introduced a
dictatorship.
The Napoleonic Code (1804) removed privileges based on birth, and
promoted equality before law.
The Making of Nationalism in Europe
Europe in the early 19th century had no nation-states like today.
Many regions were under autocratic monarchies (like Germany, Italy,
Austria-Hungary).
Society was divided:
o Aristocracy: Dominated by powerful nobles.
o Peasantry: Made up the majority population.
o Industrialization was growing in parts of Europe (especially
Germany and Italy).
New middle classes emerged: industrialists, businessmen, professionals
who demanded national unity.
The Aristocracy and the New Middle Class
Aristocrats controlled land and were socially powerful across Europe.
The new middle classes were educated and wanted freedom and national
unity.
What did Liberal Nationalism Stand for?
Liberalism means:
o Freedom for individuals.
o Equality before law.
o Government by consent (not monarchs).
o For business people, liberalism meant free markets and no
government restrictions on trade (economic liberalism).
A New Conservatism after 1815
After Napoleon’s defeat, conservatives wanted to bring back monarchy.
Congress of Vienna (1815):
o Led by Austrian Chancellor Duke Metternich.
o Goal: Restore monarchies and create a balance of power.
o France lost conquered territories.
o Kingdom of Netherlands was created, Prussia was strengthened,
and Austria dominated central Europe.
The Revolutionaries
Secret societies like Carbonari were formed to spread nationalism
secretly.
Leaders like Giuseppe Mazzini worked for uniting Italy and promoting
republicanism.
Mazzini believed nations were God’s will.
The Age of Revolutions: 1830-1848
July Revolution (1830) in France led to constitutional monarchy under
Louis Philippe.
Revolts in Belgium, Greece, and Poland.
Greek War of Independence (1821-1832) led to Greece becoming an
independent nation from Ottoman rule.
Romanticism and Nationalism
Romanticism was a cultural movement that sought to develop national
feelings through art, poetry, stories, music, and folklore.
Artists like Johann Gottfried Herder said true German culture was
found among the common people (folk culture).
Language played a major role in nationalism (example: Polish language
resistance against Russian rule).
Hunger, Hardship, and Popular Revolt
Europe faced widespread hunger and hardship in the 1830s and 1840s.
Population growth led to unemployment.
Peasant revolts and food shortages were common.
The revolution of 1848:
o Liberals demanded constitutional rights.
o In France, monarchy was overthrown and a republic was formed.
1848: The Revolution of the Liberals
Middle-class people demanded national unity and a constitution.
Frankfurt Parliament was formed in Germany.
Delegates drafted a constitution for a German nation but it failed because
monarchy and aristocracy crushed the movement.
The Making of Germany and Italy
The Unification of Germany
Nationalist sentiment was strong but unification efforts failed in 1848.
Later, Prussia led the unification under Otto von Bismarck through a
policy of "blood and iron".
Wars fought:
o Denmark (1864)
o Austria (1866)
o France (1870-71)
King Wilhelm I of Prussia was crowned German Emperor in 1871 at the
Palace of Versailles.
The Unification of Italy
Italy was divided into many kingdoms and states.
Leaders:
o Giuseppe Mazzini: Spread revolutionary ideas.
o Count Cavour: Prime Minister of Sardinia-Piedmont, used
diplomacy to unite Italy.
o Giuseppe Garibaldi: Led the Red Shirts army to unify southern
Italy.
Victor Emmanuel II became king of united Italy in 1861.
The Strange Case of Britain
Britain’s nation-state formation was different.
It was not sudden; it happened over centuries through:
o Acts of Union (1707) between England and Scotland.
o England dominated Wales, Scotland, and Ireland.
Irish people faced repression.
Symbols like the British flag (Union Jack), national anthem, and English
language promoted unity.
Visualizing the Nation
Nations were often shown as female figures (allegories):
o Marianne represented France (liberty, reason).
o Germania represented Germany (heroism, strength).
Nationalism and Imperialism
After 1871, nationalism led not only to unification but also to aggressive
expansion (imperialism).
European powers colonized many parts of Asia and Africa, leading to
rivalry and tension.
Key Terms:
Nation-State: A state with its own independent government and
population with a shared identity.
Liberalism: Idea of freedom and equality.
Conservatism: Desire to preserve traditional institutions like monarchy.
Romanticism: Cultural movement emphasizing emotions and folk
traditions.
Allegory: Symbolic representation (like Marianne and Germania).
