Nationalism and Imperialism (Later European Nationalism, Imperialism)

The Making Of Germany And Italy

Germany – Can The Army Be The Architect Of A Nation?

The unification of Germany was not the result of liberal nationalism but of conservative forces led by the state of Prussia. Otto von Bismarck, the Chief Minister of Prussia, played a pivotal role in unifying German states through a series of military campaigns and diplomatic maneuvers between 1864 and 1871.

With the defeat of Denmark, Austria, and France, the Prussian king, William I, was proclaimed the German Emperor in 1871 at the Palace of Versailles. This demonstrated that military power and authoritarianism, rather than democratic principles, could unify a nation.

Italy Unified

Italy, like Germany, was politically fragmented in the early 19th century. The unification process began with the efforts of Giuseppe Mazzini, who envisioned a united, republican Italy.

However, it was Count Cavour, the Prime Minister of Piedmont-Sardinia, who practically united Italy. He used diplomacy and strategic alliances to annex northern Italy. The southern regions were unified by Giuseppe Garibaldi through his Red Shirt movement. In 1861, Victor Emmanuel II was proclaimed the king of a unified Italy.

Thus, like Germany, Italy’s unification was guided by elite statesmen and military campaigns, not mass democratic uprisings.

The Strange Case Of Britain

Unlike Germany and Italy, Britain did not experience a sudden upheaval or revolution to become a nation-state. Instead, it evolved gradually through the extension of parliamentary authority over centuries.

The Act of Union (1707) between England and Scotland created the United Kingdom of Great Britain. Over time, Wales and Ireland were brought under the British fold. Irish resistance was brutally suppressed, and a single British identity was promoted through symbols like the British flag (Union Jack), national anthem, and the English language.

The British nation was thus created through domination and assimilation, rather than mutual agreement or revolution.

Visualising The Nation

In the 19th century, artists and poets began personifying nations as female figures. These female allegories represented the nation as a nurturing motherland or warrior goddess and helped the public emotionally identify with the nation.

For example:

• Germania was the allegory of Germany. She was often shown with a crown, sword, and German flag.
• Marianne became the symbol of the French Republic. She represented liberty and reason and was used on coins, stamps, and statues.
• In India, Bharat Mata came to symbolise the Indian nation during the freedom struggle.

These images fostered a sense of unity and patriotism among people who had never met each other, reinforcing the idea of a shared national identity.

Nationalism And Imperialism

By the late 19th century, nationalism, which had earlier been associated with freedom and self-determination, took a new turn. It began to justify the domination of other nations.

Powerful European states like Britain, France, and Germany began to compete fiercely for colonies in Asia and Africa. This race for colonies was driven by economic needs, political rivalries, and a belief in the racial superiority of Europeans — often justified through the idea of the “White Man’s Burden.”

Thus, nationalism transformed into imperialism — a desire to build empires, exploit resources, and control people in the name of national pride and civilisational duty.

Late Nineteenth-Century Colonialism

Colonialism in the late 19th century was marked by the “Scramble for Africa” and increasing control over Asian territories. Unlike earlier trading relations, this phase involved direct political control and administration of colonies by European powers.

Technological advancements such as the telegraph, railways, and steamships enabled deeper penetration into colonies. Exploitation of raw materials, forced labour, and economic drain were common features of colonial rule.

The imperial powers drew new boundaries without regard to ethnic, cultural, or linguistic realities, leading to long-term conflicts in many regions.

European Imperialism (Intro)

European Imperialism refers to the expansion of European nations into other parts of the world, especially during the 19th and early 20th centuries. It was driven by multiple motives:

• Economic: To access raw materials and markets for their industrial goods.
• Political: To enhance national prestige and strategic advantage.
• Cultural: To “civilise” non-European peoples through religion, education, and governance.

Major imperial powers included Britain, France, Germany, Belgium, Portugal, and the Netherlands. Their actions led to the colonisation of vast regions in Africa, Asia, and the Pacific.

The impact of imperialism was far-reaching: it disrupted traditional economies and societies, led to exploitation, and sowed the seeds of future nationalist movements in colonies like India.