The Rise of Nationalism in Europe - Vocabulary

Vocabulary and key terminologies covering the concept of nationalism, French Revolutionary principles, legal codes, custom unions, political ideologies, and allegories in 19th-century Europe.

Absolutist

A government or system of rule that has no restraints on the power exercised, historically referring to a centralized, militarized, and repressive monarchical government.

Utopian

A vision of a society that is so ideal that it is unlikely to actually exist.

Plebiscite

A direct vote by which all the people of a region are asked to accept or reject a proposal.

La patrie

The concept of 'the fatherland' introduced during the French Revolution to emphasize the notion of a united community enjoying equal rights.

Le citoyen

The concept of 'the citizen' introduced during the French Revolution to promote a united community enjoying equal rights under a constitution.

Napoleonic Code

The Civil Code of 1804 introduced by Napoleon that abolished privileges based on birth, established equality before the law, and secured the right to property.

Suffrage

The right to vote.

Zollverein

A customs union formed in 1834 at the initiative of Prussia that abolished tariff barriers and reduced the number of currencies from over thirty to two.

Conservatism

A political philosophy that stressed the importance of tradition, established institutions, and customs, preferring gradual development to quick change.

Das volk

A German term referring to the common people, among whom true German culture was claimed to be discovered by Romantic thinkers.

Volksgeist

The true spirit of the nation, popularised through folk songs, folk poetry, and folk dances.

Feminist

Awareness of women's rights and interests based on the belief of the social, economic, and political equality of the genders.

Ideology

A system of ideas reflecting a particular social and political vision.

Junkers

Large landowners of Prussia who supported the monarchy and the military in opposing liberal nationalist movements.

Ethnic

Relates to a common racial, tribal, or cultural origin or background that a community identifies with or claims.

Allegory

A representation where an abstract idea (such as freedom or liberty) is expressed through a person or a thing, containing both literal and symbolic meanings.

Marianne

The female allegory representing the French Republic, symbolizing a people's nation with characteristics drawn from Liberty and the Republic.

Germania

The female allegory of the German nation, visually depicted wearing a crown of oak leaves to represent heroism.

Young Italy

A secret society founded in Marseilles by Giuseppe Mazzini for the dissemination of his goals to create a unified Italian Republic.

Young Europe

An underground society founded in Berne in 1833 by Giuseppe Mazzini, consisting of like-minded young men from Poland, France, Italy, and the German states.

Slavs

The broad group of inhabitants residing in the Balkan region, including modern-day Romania, Bulgaria, Albania, Greece, Macedonia, Croatia, Bosnia-Herzegovina, Slovenia, Serbia, and Montenegro.