WHG 1 Nationalism and Clashing Ideologies

Nationalism and Clashing Ideologies Unit 3: Nationalism and Unification (1815-1914)

Content Overview

  • Growth of Nationalism

  • Revolutions of 1848

  • The Unification of Italy

  • The Unification of Germany

  • Troubles for Austria and the Ottomans

  • Unrest and Reform in Russia

  • Changes in Britain and France

Objectives

  • Understand nationalism and its role in the revolutions in the Balkans.

Clash of Ideologies

Main Idea #1: Political Ideologies in the 1800s

  • Various political factions vied for dominance in shaping European nations:

    • Conservatives

      • Generally upper-class, opposed change, favored traditional monarchies.

    • Liberals

      • Middle-class, advocated for democracy and more political rights; associated with thinkers like John Stuart Mill.

    • Radicals

      • Sought drastic political and economic reforms for equality and democracy for all.

Review Questions:

  1. A ______ preferred drastic change and democracy for all people. (radical)

  2. A ______ was usually wealthy and wanted to preserve traditional monarchies. (conservative)

  3. A ______ was usually middle class and wanted to give more power to elected legislatures. (liberal)

Nationalism

Main Idea #2: The Rise of Nationalism

  • Nationalism spread across Europe in the 1800s, prompting significant political and social transformations.

Definition of Nation

  • A nation: a group sharing:

    • Culture: Common beliefs and lifestyle.

    • History: Shared past that binds individuals.

    • Religion: Unifying faith helps forge connections.

    • Language: A key factor in national identity.

    • Territory: A shared land fosters unity.

Nation-State

  • A nation-state: Exists when a nation has its government and territory.

Bonds Creating a Nation-State

  • Culture: A shared way of life.

  • History: Common past experiences.

  • Language: Common dialects can become a national language.

  • Religion: Shared beliefs among the populace.

  • Nationality: Connections to a specific territory tied to an ethnic group.

Positive and Negative Aspects of Nationalism

  • Positive Results:

    • Unification and overcoming differences for common goals.

    • The overthrow of colonial rule, leading to independence movements.

    • Development of democratic governments.

  • Negative Results:

    • Forced assimilation of minority cultures.

    • Ethnic cleansing and conflict (e.g., Bosnia).

    • Rise of extreme nationalism (e.g., Nazism).

Nationalism in the Balkans

Main Idea #3: Nationalism and Revolutions

  • Nationalism led to anti-Ottoman revolutions in the Balkans during the 1800s.

Historical Context

  • By the early 1800s, the Balkans were under Ottoman rule for over 300 years.

  • The region was marked by a blend of religions and ethnicities, causing cultural tensions.

Serbian and Greek Revolutions

  • Uprisings (1804-1830): Nationalist guerilla movements resulted in Serbia gaining autonomy from the Ottomans.

    • Greek Revolution: Grew during the 400-year Ottoman occupation; Greeks gained independence in 1830 with support from Russia and Western Europe.

Similarities in Nationalist Movements

  • Both the Serbian and Greek efforts reflected broader trends of nationalism leading to self-determination in the Balkans.

Types of Nationalist Movements

  • Unification: Merging culturally similar lands.

  • Separation: Distinct groups resisting inclusion in larger states.

  • State-building: Culturally distinct groups uniting under a new shared culture.