The Rise of Nationalism in Europe

The Rise of Nationalism in Europe

Introduction

• Chapter 1 of CBSE Class 10 History explores the rise of nation-states and nationalism in 19th-century Europe.
• Key topics include: The Rise of Nationalism in Europe, the French Revolution, Nationalism and Imperialism.

Frédéric Sorrieu's Vision of the World

• In 1848, French artist Frédéric Sorrieu created a series of four prints visualizing a world of democratic and Social Republics.
• Print 1: People of Europe and America march in a long train, paying homage to the Statue of Liberty.
  • The Statue of Liberty carries the torch of Enlightenment and the Charter of the Rights of Man.
• Print 2: Shattered remains of absolutist institutions lie on the earth.
• Print 3: People are grouped as distinct nations, identified by flags and national costumes.
• Print 4: The procession is led by the United States and Switzerland, followed by France and Germany, then Austria, the Kingdom of the Two Sicilies, Lombardy, Poland, England, Ireland, Hungary, and Russia.
• Christ, saints, and angels symbolize fraternity among nations.

The Emergence of Nationalism

• The 19th century saw nationalism emerge as a powerful force for political and mental change in Europe.
• This led to the creation of the nation-state.

The French Revolution and the Idea of the Nation

• In 1789, the French Revolution brought nationalism to the forefront.
• Political and constitutional changes transferred sovereignty from the monarchy to French citizens.
• Ideas of la patrie (the fatherland) and le citoyen (the citizen) were introduced.
• A new French flag, the tricolor, replaced the former one.
• Napoleon destroyed democracy in France but implemented the Civil Code of 1804 (Napoleonic Code).
  • The Napoleonic Code abolished privileges based on birth.
  • Established equality before the law.
  • Secured the right to property.

The Making of Nationalism in Europe

• Germany, Italy, and Switzerland were divided into kingdoms, duchies, and cantons with autonomous rulers.

Aristocracy and the New Middle Class

• The aristocracy was the dominant class politically and socially.
• The majority of the population was the peasantry.
• Industrialization began in England in the second half of the 18th century.
• New social groups emerged: a working-class population and a middle class (industrialists, businessmen, professionals).

What Did Liberal Nationalism Stand For?

• The term 'liberalism' comes from the Latin root liber, meaning free.
• The right to vote was limited to property-owning men.
• Men without property and all women were excluded from political rights.
• In 1834, a customs union or Zollverein was formed at the initiative of Prussia and joined by most German states.
  • The union abolished tariff barriers.
  • Reduced the number of currencies from over thirty to two.

A New Conservatism after 1815

• In 1815, European governments were driven by conservatism.
• Conservatives supported monarchy, the Church, social hierarchies, property, and family preservation.
• A modern army, efficient bureaucracy, dynamic economy, and the abolition of feudalism and serfdom could strengthen monarchies.
• In 1815, representatives from Britain, Russia, Prussia, and Austria met in Vienna to establish a settlement for Europe.
  • The Bourbon dynasty was restored to power in France.
  • France lost territories annexed under Napoleon.
• Liberal nationalists criticized the conservative order, advocating for freedom of the press.

The Revolutionaries

• Secret societies formed in many European states after 1815 to train revolutionaries and spread ideas.
• Revolutionaries opposed monarchical forms and fought for liberty and freedom.
• Giuseppe Mazzini (born in Genoa, 1807) founded Young Italy in Marseilles and Young Europe in Berne.
  • Young Europe's members were like-minded young men from Poland, France, Italy, and the German states.

The Age of Revolutions: 1830-1848

• In July 1830, liberal revolutionaries overthrew the Bourbon Kings and installed a constitutional monarchy with Louis Philippe.
• The July Revolution sparked an uprising in Brussels, leading to Belgium's secession from the United Kingdom of the Netherlands.
• In 1821, Greeks fought for independence.

The Romantic Imagination and National Feeling

• Culture played a crucial role in creating the idea of the nation through art, poetry, stories, and music.
• Romanticism was a cultural movement that sought to develop nationalist sentiment.
• Language also played an important role in developing nationalist sentiments.
• The Russian language was imposed, and in 1831, an armed rebellion against Russian rule was crushed.

Hunger, Hardship, and Popular Revolt

• Europe experienced economic hardships in the 1830s.
• The first half of the 19th century saw a significant population increase.
• Rising food prices and bad harvests led to widespread pauperism.
• In 1848, food shortages and unemployment brought Parisians to the streets.

The Revolution of the Liberals

• In 1848, a revolution led by the educated middle classes demanded a nation-state based on parliamentary principles: a constitution, freedom of the press, and freedom of association.
• Political associations convened in Frankfurt to vote for an all-German National Assembly.
• On May 18, 1848, 831 elected representatives convened in the Frankfurt parliament at the Church of St Paul.
• The drafted constitution proposed a monarchy subject to a Parliament.
• Friedrich Wilhelm IV, King of Prussia, rejected the crown and opposed the elected assembly.
• The Middle Class dominated the Parliament, and women participated in the liberal movement by forming political associations, founding newspapers, and taking part in political meetings, though they were denied suffrage rights.
• After 1848, autocratic monarchies in Central and Eastern Europe introduced changes that had occurred in Western Europe before 1815.
  • Serfdom and bonded labor were abolished in Habsburg dominions and Russia.

The Making of Germany and Italy

Germany

• After 1848, nationalism in Europe shifted, leading to the unification of Germany and Italy.
• Prussia led the movement for national unification.
• Otto von Bismarck, the chief minister, orchestrated this process with the Prussian army and bureaucracy.
• In January 1871, Prussian King William I was proclaimed German Emperor.
• The nation-building process demonstrated Prussian state power.
• Currency, banking, legal, and judicial systems in Germany were modernized.

Italy

• Italy was divided into seven states in the mid-19th century.
• Sardinia-Piedmont was ruled by an Italian princely house.
• The regions were dominated by different kings.
• In the 1830s, Giuseppe Mazzini formed the secret society Young Italy.
• The movement was led by Chief Minister Cavour.
• In 1859, Sardinia-Piedmont defeated Austrian forces.
• In 1860, they marched into South Italy and the Kingdom of the Two Sicilies, gaining support from local peasants.
• In 1861, Victor Emmanuel II was proclaimed king of united Italy.

The Strange Case of Britain

• Great Britain was a model of the nation, but there was no British nation before the 18th century.
• The nation grew in wealth, importance, and power.
• The Act of Union (1707) between England and Scotland formed the 'United Kingdom of Great Britain,' allowing England to influence Scotland.
• In 1801, Ireland was forcibly incorporated into the United Kingdom.
• Symbols of the new Britain were promoted: the British flag (Union Jack), the national anthem (God Save Our Noble King), and the English language.

Visualising the Nation

• In the 18th and 19th centuries, artists represented countries as people and nations as female figures.
• During the French Revolution, female figures portrayed ideas like Liberty, Justice, and the Republic.
• Liberty is represented as a red cap or broken chain.
• Justice is represented as a blindfolded woman carrying weighing scales.

Nationalism and Imperialism

• Nationalism changed after the last quarter of the 19th century.
• After 1871, the Balkans were the most tense area, including modern-day Romania, Bulgaria, Albania, Greece, Macedonia, Croatia, Bosnia-Herzegovina, Slovenia, Serbia, and Montenegro.
• The Ottoman Empire's presence made the Balkans explosive, leading to modernization and internal reforms.
• Conflicts caused intense rivalry among European powers over trade, colonies, and naval and military strength, leading to wars and World War I.
• In 1914, Europe was devastated by nationalism aligned with imperialism.
• Anti-imperial movements struggled to form independent nation-states.
• The idea of 'nation-states' was accepted as natural and universal.

Frequently Asked Questions

• Q1: What is nationalism?
  • The desire of a group of people with similar characteristics to form a country.
• Q2: How to induce patriotism in a person?
  • Teach children and young adults about the importance of patriotism from a young age.
• Q3: How to protect our nation from criticism?
  • Do not speak ill of your country.
  • Do not misuse your national flag.
  • Be polite and convey positive thoughts about your country.