The Rise of Nationalism in Europe

The Pact Between Nation:

The Dream of
Worldwide
Democratic and Social
Republics - The Pact
Between Nations, a
print prepared by
Frédéric Sorrieu,
1848

The first print in the series shows people from Europe and
America, of different ages and social classes, marching in
a line, honoring the Statue of Liberty.
The Statue of Liberty in the image holds a torch and the
rights of man charter, symbolizing freedom and human
rights.
In the foreground, shattered symbols of absolutist
institutions lie on the ground, conveying the overthrow of
oppressive systems.

1.French Revolution and the Idea of the Nation

French Revolution starts in 1789 in France.
Monarchs held power in 1789..
People were very upset.
The French Revolutionaries initiated a protest
against the monarchy.
Foster a shared sense of identity among the
French populace.
 Key transformations occurred in the French Revolution:
Change in Power: In 1789, the French Revolution
brought a shift in power from the king to the French
people.
Nationalistic Ideas: New ideas like "la patrie" (the
fatherland) and "le citoyen" (the citizen) emerged,
emphasizing national identity and citizenship.
Symbolic Changes: The monarchy's authority was
replaced by political and constitutional reforms. The
old French flag was replaced by the tricolor to
symbolize these transformations.

IMP

letter on:
Napoleon's rule marked the end
of democracy in France, and the
Napoleonic Code of 1804, also
known as the Civil Code,
abolished birth-based privileges,
instituted legal equality, and
protected property rights.
As developments in France unfolded, information
disseminated to different cities across Europe.

Jacobin Clubs – It is a political club

formed to discuss government
policies.

In 1790, Jacobin Club members assisted French

revolutionaries in spreading their influence.
The reach of French revolutionaries extended to
Holland, Belgium, Switzerland, and Italy.
The French armies, with Jacobin support, carried the
concept of nationalism beyond their borders.
2.The Making of Nationalism in Europe
Germany, Italy and Switzerland were divided into
kingdoms, duchies and cantons whose rulers had their
autonomous territories.
The example of Habsburg Empire
Austria-Hungary, a diverse empire, governed various regions and
peoples. The empire encompassed Alpine regions like Tyrol, Austria, and
the Sudetenland, along with German-speaking aristocracy in Bohemia.
Italian-speaking provinces of Lombardy and Venetia were part of the
empire.
In Hungary, the population was divided, with half speaking Magyar and
the other half using various dialects.
In Galicia, the aristocracy predominantly spoke Polish.
The empire also housed a multitude of subject peasant peoples within its
boundaries.

IMP
The Aristocracy and the New Middle Class
1. ARISTOCRACY:
Representing the elite or wealthy class
A small yet influential group
Possessed extensive land and property
Typically conversant in the French language
They only marry with rich people

2. Peasants:
Characterized as impoverished farmers
Formed a sizableand densely populated group
In Western Europe, land was often cultivated by
tenants or small landowners
In Eastern and Central Europe, peasants worked the
land as laborers under the aristocracy

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3.Middle Class:
Represents an economic class between poverty and
wealth
Emerged with the rise of industrial production and
increased trade, leading to improved financial status
Industrialization commenced in England around 1750
In France and certain German states, the Industrial
Revolution began in the 19th century
Comprises individuals such as industrialists, doctors,
teachers, businessmen, etc.
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What did Liberal Nationalism Stand for?

For the emerging middle classes, Gliberis M symbolized
individual freedom and equality for everyone under the
law.
In the economic realm, liberalism advocated for a free
market and the elimination of state-imposed restrictions
on the movement of goods and capital.
The Zollverein dismantled tariff barriers, streamlined the
number of currencies to two, and fostered a network of
railways to enhance mobility.

A New Conservatism after 1815

Conservatism – A political philosophy that stressed the importance of tradition, established institutions and
customs, and preferred gradual development to quick change

After the defeat of Napoleon in 1815

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 IMP

In 1815, European governments were guided by conservatism,

valuing monarchy, the Church, social hierarchies, property,
and family preservation.
To strengthen autocratic monarchies, modern armies,
efficient bureaucracies, dynamic economies, and the
end of feudalism and serfdom were considered crucial.
Representatives from Britain, Russia, Prussia, and
Austria gathered in Vienna in 1815 to establish a
settlement for Europe.
The Bourbon dynasty was reinstated in power, and France
relinquished territories annexed during Napoleon's rule.
Liberal nationalists, critical of the conservative order,
focused on the issue of press freedom.

The Revolutionaries
A dedication to resist monarchical structures established post
the Vienna Congress and to strive for liberty and freedom.

Giuseppe Mazzini
Born in Genoa in 1807.
Member of the secret society of Carbonari.
Established Young Italy in Marseilles and Young
Europe in Berne.
Advocated for the unification of Italy into a
republic.
IMP
The Age of Revolutions: 1830-1848
In July 1830, liberal revolutionaries toppled the
Bourbon Kings, establishing a constitutional monarchy
with Louis Philippe as the head.
The July Revolution triggered a rebellion in Brussels,
resulting in Belgium's separation from the United
Kingdom of the Netherlands.
Greeks fought for independence in 1821.
 so far:
The Rise of Nationalism in Europe

French Revolution (1789)

Napoleonic wars begin (1797)

Fall of Napoleon and Conservatives regime (1815 - 1830)

Revolutions (1830 - 1848)

3.The Age of Revolutions: 1830-1848

In July 1830, liberal revolutionaries ousted the Bourbon Kings,
establishing a constitutional monarchy under Louis Philippe. This
July Revolution incited a revolt in Brussels, ultimately resulting in
Belgium's separation from the United Kingdom of the Netherlands.
In 1821, the Greek people fought for their independence.

The Romantic Imagination IMP Hunger, Hardship and IMP

and National Feeling Popular Revolt

Culture, encompassing art, poetry, During the 1830s, Europe
stories, and music, played a vital role in encountered economic challenges as
shaping and expressing nationalist the first half of the nineteenth
feelings during the formation of the century witnessed a significant
idea of the nation. population surge across the
continent. The escalation of food
The Romanticism movement, as a prices or a year of poor harvests
cultural force, sought to foster a unique resulted in widespread poverty in
form of nationalist sentiment, both urban centers and rural areas.
emphasizing emotional and artistic In 1848, Parisians took to the
expressions. streets due to food shortages and
extensive unemployment.
Language, a key cultural element, played
a significant role in the development of
nationalist sentiments, exemplified by
the imposition of the Russian language
and the subsequent armed rebellion in
1831 against Russian rule.
 1848: The Revolution of the Liberals

Minister Otto von Bismarck assumed leadership in the movement

for national unification, leveraging the Prussian army and
bureaucracy.

A series of three wars spanning seven years concluded in a decisive

Prussian victory, marking the successful culmination of the
unification process.

Kaiser William II of Prussia became the head of the newly

established German Empire.

4.The Making of Germany and Italy

Germany – Can the Army be the Architect of a Nation?
In 1848, simultaneous with the uprisings of impoverished,
unemployed, and hungry peasants and workers across various
European nations, a revolution spearheaded by the educated middle
classes was unfolding.

In regions of Europe lacking independent nation-states, like

Germany, Italy, and Poland, individuals from the liberal middle
classes joined forces. They merged their calls for
constitutionalism with the aspiration for national unification.
IMP
Italy Unified:
Capitalizing on the widespread popular discontent throughout
Europe, these middle-class individuals seized the opportunity to
advocate for the establishment of a nation-state grounded in
parliamentary principles.
Italy comprised seven states, with only Sardinia-Piedmont being
governed by an Italian princely state.

Giuseppe Mazzini initiated a unification program initially, but it

proved unsuccessful.

The movement for unification was later led by Chief Minister

Cavour, with assistance from Giuseppe Garibaldi.

In 1861, Victor Emmanuel II was declared the king of a united

Italy.
The Strange Case of Britain
Great Britain is considered a model for the nation-state, where the
formation was a gradual process rather than a sudden upheaval.

The English parliament played a pivotal role in forging a nation-state, with

England at its core, eroding the ethnic identities of Welsh, Scot, and Irish.

The Act of Union in 1707 between England and Scotland led to the
formation of the 'United Kingdom of Great Britain,' consolidating English
influence over Scotland and suppressing its distinct culture.

Ireland, divided between Catholics and Protestants, faced English

assistance in establishing Protestant dominance, leading to its forced
incorporation into the United Kingdom in 1801 and the promotion of a
'British nation' with dominant English culture.

IMP

5.Visualising the Nation

During the 18th and 19th centuries, artists depicted countries
anthropomorphically, often using female figures to symbolize nations. In
the context of the French Revolution, these female representations
conveyed abstract concepts like Liberty, depicted with symbols such as the
red cap or a broken chain, and Justice, portrayed as a blindfolded woman
carrying weighing scales.
–
Allegory When an abstract idea (for instance, greed, envy, freedom, liberty) is expressed through a person
or a thing. An allegorical story has two meanings, one literal and one symbolic

Germania, Philip Veit, 1848.

The artist prepared this painting of Germania on a
cotton banner, as it was meant to hang from the
ceiling of the Church of St Paul where the Frankfurt
parliament was convened in March 1848.
 Germania guarding the Rhine.
In 1860, the artist Lorenz Clasen was commissioned to
paint this image. The inscription
on Germania’s sword reads: ‘The German sword
protects the German Rhine.’

6.Nationalism and Imperialism

Nationalism waned significantly in the final quarter of the
nineteenth century. Post-1871, the most volatile region was
identified as the Balkans, encompassing present-day Romania,
Bulgaria, Albania, Greece, Macedonia, Croatia, Bosnia-
Herzegovina, Slovenia, Serbia, and Montenegro.

The Balkans became a volatile region due to the influence of

the Ottoman Empire, which, throughout the nineteenth
century, fortified itself through modernization and internal
reforms. Intense conflicts emerged in the Balkans due to
various reasons.

Simultaneously, a fierce competition unfolded among

European powers for trade, colonies, and naval and military
supremacy during this era. This rivalry resulted in a
sequence of wars in the region, ultimately culminating in the
outbreak of the First World War.

In 1914, Europe faced upheaval as Nationalism converged with

imperialism, causing widespread disruption. Despite the
emergence of anti-imperial movements, their endeavors to
establish independent nation-states encountered numerous
challenges. Nevertheless, the concept of 'nation-states' gained
acceptance as a natural and universal idea.
 Top 7 questions

1.What was the major change that occurred in the political and
constitutional scenario due to the French Revolution in Europe?
It led to the transfer of sovereignty from the monarchy to a body of
French citizens. The revolution proclaimed that it was the people who
would henceforth constitute the nation and shape its destiny.

2.Explain any three beliefs of the conservatism that emerged

after 1815.
Three beliefs of conservatism that emerged after 1815 were:

Established and traditional institutions of state and society like

monarchy, the Church, property and family should be preserved.
They believed in the modernization of the traditional institution to
strengthen them, rather than returning to the society of pre-
revolutionary days.
Also they believed that abolition of feudalism and serfdom and
replacing it with a modern army, an efficient bureaucracy and a
dynamic economy could strengthen autocratic monarchies of Europe.

3.What was the main aim of the French revolutionaries? (2015 OD)
The main aim of the French revolutionaries was to create a sense of
collective identity amongst the French people. They proclaimed that it
was the people who would constitute the nation and shape its
decisions

4.Choose three examples to show the contribution of culture to

the growth of nationalism in Europe.
Three examples that show the contribution of culture to the growth of
nationalism in Europe are:
1. Folk music, poetry, and dances were crucial in spreading nationalism
throughout Europe. preserving and gathering various folk traditions in
order to foster national consciousness. To reach a wide range of
audiences, common people used to spread nationalist messages.
2. Romanticism: A certain brand of nationalism was to be developed
through the romanticism cultural movement. In an effort to build a
sense of a shared collective legacy, a common cultural past, as the
foundation of a nation, romantic artists and poets concentrated on
emotions, intuition, and mystical experiences
3. Language: An major factor in the emergence of nationalist feelings was
language. After the Russian invasion, the Polish language was outlawed
and replaced everywhere with Russian. In Poland, the clergy started
utilising language as a tool of anti-nationalist struggle. In Poland, the clergy
started utilising language as a tool of anti-nationalist struggle. Church
gatherings and all religious instruction were conducted in Polish. Polish
usage eventually came to be viewed as a symbol of resistance to Russian
control. Church gatherings and all religious instruction were conducted in
Polish. Polish usage eventually came to be viewed as a symbol of
resistance to Russian control.

5.Why is it said that the 1830s were the years of great

hardships in Europe? Explain.
The decade of 1830 had brought great economic hardship or crisis in
Europe due to the following reasons:
(i) The first half of the 19th century saw an enormous increase in
population all over Europe.
(ii) Job-seekers were more and employment opportunities were less.
(iii) People from rural areas migrated to cities and made cities over-
crowded slums.
(iv) Small producers often faced stiff competition from imports of
cheap machine-made goods.
(v) Peasants struggled under the burden of feudal dues and
obligations.

6 How did nationalism align with imperialism to become the

cause of the First World war? Explain.

The Balkan states had become the region of intense rivalry among
the Balkan states themselves for independence as well as the big
powers for expansion and influence in the region. Reasons for the
growth of nationalist tension in Balkan region:

(i) The Balkan was a region of geographical and ethnic variations

comprising of modern-day Romania, Bulgaria, Albania, Greece,
Macedonia, Croatia, Bosnia-Herzegovina Slovenia, Serbia and
Montenegro. The inhabitants were called Slavs.
(ii) The spread of romantic nationalism led to its disintegration.
(iii) Different Slavic nationalities struggled to define their identity.
(iv) Balkan region became a region of intense conflict over expansion
of territory.
(v) At the same time, the great European Powers –Russia, Germany,
England and Austria-Hungary were keen on taking the control of the
Balkan region, since it was important from trade point of view.
(vi) This led to the series of wars in the region and finally became
the cause of the First World War.
7.Who were Marianne and Germania? What was the importance of
the way in which they were portrayed?
Germania and Marianne were feminine allegories for the German and
French countries, respectively. The popular Christian name Marianne
highlighted the concept of a people's nation. On the other hand, Germania
came to represent the German people. Germania is shown wearing an oak
leaf crown because the German oak is a symbol of valour.
The significance of how they were portrayed is as follows:
1. The notion of a nation was represented by female characters who aimed
to give it a physical form.
2. The woman picked to represent the country did not represent any one
woman in real life.
3. They fought for concepts like "liberty" and "the republic."
 Important Important DATESS

1789 : The French Revolution

1807 : The birth of Giuseppe Muzzini.
1815 : To draft a compromise for Europe, the representatives of the
European nations—including Britain, Russia, Prussia, and Austria—who
had defeated Napoleon together convened in Vienna.
1815 : Napoleon was overthrown.
1815 : Vienna Protocol
1821 : The struggle for Greek freedom began.
1824 : Lord Byron, an English poet, died in 1824.
1830 : In July 1830, there was the first uprising in France.
1832 : Treaty of Constantinople
1833 : When Emergent travelled from Hamburg to Nuremberg in 1833
to sell his goods, he had to go through 11 customs checkpoints and pay
a customs tax that was about 5% of his travel cost.
1834 : A Zollverein customs union was established.
1848 : A French painter by the name of Frederic Sorrieu produced a
quartet (4) of works in 1848 that depicted his vision of a world with
democratic and socialist republics.
1848 : The authoritarian kingdoms of Central and Eastern Europe
introduced changes after 1848 that had previously occurred in
western Europe before 1815.
1859 : Piedmont and Sardinia were successful in defeating the
Austrian army.
1861 : Victor Emmanuel II was proclaimed the king of United Italy.
1867 : The habsburg rulers granted more autonomy to the Hungarian
1871 : The prussian was proclaimed German emperor
1707 : The act of union between England and Scotland