Nationalism in Europe

Events and Processes

Series depicts a vision of democratic Republics in Europe and America.
First print illustrates various nations, men and women of various classes, unified by the statue of Liberty.
Symbolism: Liberty represented as a female figure holding the Enlightenment torch and the Charter of Rights.
Represents the aspirations and hopes for unification and freedom amongst Europeans.

Absolutist: Characterizes a government with total power; often linked to historical monarchical control.
Utopian Vision: Idealistic view of society, often unattainable. Sorrieu’s work aligns with this by depicting a perfect unity among nations.
Ernst Renan: In his lecture "What is a Nation?" Renan describes a nation as shaped by shared history, sacrifices, glories, and social capital. He emphasizes that nations emerge from a collective will rather than determined by language or ethnicity.

The revolution marked a significant turning point for nationalism in France.
Transition of sovereignty from monarchy to citizens.
Introduction of la patrie (the fatherland) and le citoyen (the citizen), fostering unity and rights.
Establishment of the tricolour flag, French National Assembly, and a centralized administrative system.
Revolutionaries aimed to liberate oppressed peoples across Europe, resulting in the spread of nationalist ideas.

Implementation of the Napoleonic Code which emphasized equality before law, led to administrative reforms across Europe.
Positive reception initially, but later faced backlash due to increased taxation and conscription, leading to resentment among occupied territories.

By the late 19th century, nationalism evolved, influencing the dissolution of multi-national empires and encourages the creation of nation-states.
Social and Political Classes: The landed aristocracy's influence vs. rising middle class of industrialists pushing for unified states.

Economic integration under the Zollverein (Customs Union) facilitated trade and stimulated national sentiments in German regions.
Liberalism emerged emphasized personal freedoms and equal rights but often excluded certain groups, like women and non-propertied men, from political participation.

A series of uprisings across Europe, where liberal-nationalists sought to realize national unification and constitutional government.
Frankfurt Assembly: Attempt by Germans to unify but ultimately failed due to lack of social support and military opposition.

The role of Romanticism in expressing and shaping national identity through art, music, and literature.
Figures like Marianne (France) and Germania (Germany) emerged as allegories of nationhood.
Grimm Brothers symbolically used folklore collection for nation-building and national identity.

By the late 19th century, nationalism shifted towards narrower, more aggressive forms influencing imperialism.
The Balkans became a hotbed for nationalist tensions leading to conflicts and eventually WWI.

Nationalism facilitated the rise of nation-states but also led to destructive tensions. Modern definitions of nationality developed distinctly through the 19th century, impacting global perspectives on national identities today.