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The Rise of Nationalism in Europe (up to 1848)

The Rise Of Nationalism In Europe (Intro)

The concept of nationalism emerged as a strong force in Europe during the 19th century. It was closely tied to the idea of a nation-state — a territory with defined boundaries and a population that shared a common language, culture, and identity.

The French Revolution in 1789 acted as a catalyst in spreading the ideas of liberty, equality, and fraternity across Europe, sparking hopes among people who shared a common heritage to unite under one nation.

Nationalism fostered a sense of unity and collective identity, where people began to view themselves not as subjects of a monarch, but as citizens of a common nation. This ideological shift was critical in shaping the political boundaries of modern Europe.


The French Revolution And The Idea Of The Nation

The French Revolution brought significant political and constitutional changes. It marked the end of monarchy and the beginning of a republic in France. These changes were based on the principles of liberty, equality, and fraternity.

The idea of the ‘nation’ was personified in the figure of Marianne, a female allegory that symbolized liberty and the Republic. The tricolour flag of France became a symbol of national unity and pride.

Revolutionary ideas were spread through:

French armies carried the ideas of revolution abroad, but their expansion also led to resistance in other countries, where people developed their own sense of nationalism.


The Making Of Nationalism In Europe

The Aristocracy And The New Middle Class

In early 19th-century Europe, the aristocracy dominated both politically and economically. However, a new middle class comprising industrialists, professionals, and businessmen began to emerge due to industrialization and urbanization.

This class was educated and liberal, and they were the main proponents of nationalism. They demanded constitutional rights and national unification based on liberal ideals.

What Did Liberal Nationalism Stand For?

Liberalism derived from the Latin word ‘liber’, meaning free. For the new middle class, liberal nationalism stood for:

In the economic sphere, liberalism supported the creation of a unified economic territory. For example, the German Customs Union (Zollverein) was formed in 1834 to remove trade barriers among German states.

A New Conservatism After 1815

After the defeat of Napoleon, the conservative forces attempted to restore monarchies and suppress liberal movements. The Congress of Vienna in 1815, led by Austrian Chancellor Metternich, aimed to reestablish the traditional dynasties.

However, this form of conservatism was challenged by the liberal nationalists who continued to demand constitutional and representative governments.

The Revolutionaries

During this time, secret societies were formed across Europe to spread nationalist ideas. These revolutionaries opposed the autocratic monarchies and supported the formation of nation-states.

One famous figure was Giuseppe Mazzini from Italy, who founded two influential underground organizations: Young Italy and Young Europe. He believed that nations were the natural units of mankind and advocated for independent and republican nation-states.


The Age Of Revolutions: 1830-1848

The Romantic Imagination And National Feeling

Romanticism was a cultural movement that helped develop nationalist sentiment. Romantic artists, poets, and musicians glorified folk traditions, the past, and national symbols to strengthen the national identity.

Johann Gottfried Herder, a German philosopher, emphasized the importance of common culture and language in uniting people.

Folk dances, songs, and legends were collected to revive the spirit of the nation. In India, a similar movement was observed later in the form of cultural nationalism led by Rabindranath Tagore and others.

Hunger, Hardship And Popular Revolt

The 1830s and 1840s were marked by severe economic crises in Europe. Population explosion, widespread unemployment, rising food prices, and crop failures led to hunger and unrest.

Peasants and workers revolted against landlords and monarchs. The revolts often had both economic and nationalistic motives.

In France, a revolution in 1848 led to the abdication of the monarch and establishment of a republic where universal male suffrage was introduced.

1848: The Revolution Of The Liberals

In 1848, the liberal middle class in Germany, Italy, Poland, and the Austro-Hungarian Empire launched movements demanding constitutionalism and unification of their respective nations.

In Germany, a parliament was convened in Frankfurt to draft a constitution for a German nation-state. However, the movement failed when the Prussian king rejected the crown offered by the people.

The revolutions of 1848 largely failed, but they laid the groundwork for the unification movements in the second half of the 19th century.