The rise of nationalism in europe Class 10 Notes

The rise of nationalism in europe Class 10 Notes

13-16 minutes

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The Rise of Nationalism in Europe
Nationalism is a belief, love, devotion of an individual to motherland. National flag and national symbols are national attributes and play major role in strengthening nationalism. 19th century marked emergence of nationalism which brought sweeping changes in Europe. As a result of these changes the nation-state emerged in which citizens and rulers developed sense of common identity and shared history.
Dream of Worldwide Democratic and Social Republics print prepared by Frederic Sorrieu in 1848 depicted that – peoples of the world are grouped into distinct nations identified through their national flags and costumes. Sorrieu shown that from heaven Christ saints and angels showering blessings upon the scene to symbolise fraternity among nations of the world.

What is Nation?
According to Ernst Renan, Nation is the culmination of a long past of endeavours sacrifice and devotion. A nation is a large scale solidarity, its existence is a daily plebiscite. A province is its inhabitants. French Revolution (1789 to 1799) is a period of social and political changes in France and emerging idea of nationalism. Principles of French Revolution were Liberty, Equality and Fraternity. In 1789 France was ruled by absolute monarch. Major impacts of French revolution were – Abolition of Feudalism, Liberalism Increased, Formation of constitutional monarchy, Emergence of nation state and Sense of unity. The revolutionaries replaced Standard royal flag by new French “Tricolour” flag, spreaded ideas of la patrie (fatherland) and le citoyen (the citizen) for nationalism. Also, national assembly was established with formulation of uniform laws for all the citizens within its territory. Composition of new hymns and commemoration of martyrs, internal custom duties and dues were abolished and uniform system of weights and measures was adopted
Use of regional dialects were discouraged and French became the common language of nation. Revolutionaries declared it as a Mission. Revolutionaries helped peoples of Europe from despotism (autocracy) to become nations. Students and some educated middle class members set up Jacobin clubs that is (political club) during french revolution. French armies moved to Holland, Belgium, Switzerland and Italy in 1790s with ideas of nationalism.

Advent of Napoleon Bonaparte (1769-1821)
He was a french military leader. He ruled his contemporaries and made many changes within his area of territory. These changes are –
Democracy destroyed in france, incorporation of revolutionary principles in administration to make system more rational that is (intelligent) and efficient.
Established Napoleonic code or the Civil code of 1804. This Code abolished all privileges based on birth. And established equality before law.
Secured Rights to Property, Simplified administrative divisions, Abolished feudal system and freed peasants from serfdom.
Removed guild that is (association) restrictions in towns, Made improvement in Transport and communication system.
Businessmen and small scale producers realised that uniform laws standardised weights & measures common national currency will increase trade. But High tax Censorship, Compulsory enrollment of people in French army started fall of Napoleon rule. In the end of Napoleonic era Congress of Vienna from (November 1814 to June 1815,) established to restore order in Europe.

Congress of Vienna
It was a political congress with powerful countries – Britain, Austria, Russia, Prussia. It had two goals – To avoid French hostility that is (Unfriendliness) and Keep balance of power that is (Stability).
Results of Congress of Vienna
Start of international co-operations and diplomacy
Britain signed trade agreements with new states and become colonial power
Slave trade stopped
Manufacturing production increased in Germany
Liberalism increased

Making of Nationalism in Europe –
In middle of 18th century, nation states does not existed in Europe. Today’s Germany, Italy and Switzerland were divided into kingdoms, territories, administrative divisions. There was absence of collective identity or common culture among people. Habsburg empire of Austria-Hungary consists of French German and Italian speaking people.Common binding among diverse groups was loyalty to emperor. Aristocracy and new middle class arose in society. Aristocracy was landowning and dominant class They owned estates and town houses. The members of these class were connected through marriages.
Majority of population were peasants that is farmer. Small landowners farmed in west, Servants cultivated in East and Central Europe. In half of 18th century Industrialisation began in England. Due to Industrialisation New social groups of Working class and Middle class are formed. Educated and broad minded people supported nationalism and removal of aristocracy.
Liberal Nationalism arose where liberal means free. So Liberalism = Freedom. Liberal Nationalism means Individual freedom Equality before law End of autocracy,Constitutional government Freedom of markets, Removal of statewide trade restrictions. Suffrage (right to vote) – In revolutionary france only property owners had right to vote, Women were not allowed to vote in Napoleonic Rule.
In 19th and early 20th century women,and non-propertied men demanded equal political rights. Zollverein formed to remove trade barriers. It removed tax duty and types of currencies reduced from 30 to 2. Development of railways was done to improve transportation. Opposition to change and innovation is called Conservatism. European governments followed conservatism after fall of Napoleon. Conservative regimes were autocratic, intolerant to comments and arguments of government and opposed questions on validity of autocratic government. They imposed limitations on press during revolution.
European power ( Britain Russia Prussia Austria) who defeated Napoleon met at Vienna for new settlement of Europe at Congress of Vienna. Congress was hosted by Austrian Chancellor Duke Metternich. Main features of Treaty of Vienna includes –
1st Bourbon dynasty restored to power in France.
Series of states were set up in France to prevent its expansion.
Kingdom of Netherlands including Belgium was set up in North and Genoa was added to Piedmont in South.
Prussia was given new territories and a portion of Saxony.
Austria gained control over northern Italy while Russia gained part of Poland.
Re-established single persons rule and Napoleon group of 39 states was not changed.
Giuseppe Mazzini was an italian revolutionary born in 1807. He was member of secret society of Carbonari. At the age of 24, He was sent away from home for revolution in Liguria. He founded two underground societies “Young Italy in Marseilles,” and “Young Europe in Berne,”. He believed that equality in Italy could be basis of Italian freedom.
Metternich described him as “the most dangerous enemy of our social order,”

The Age of Revolutions during the rise of nationalism in europe
July Revolution
July Revolution took place in France in (1830). Here, Bourbon Kings were overthrown by revolutionaries. After revolution, Louis Philippe was appointed as a constitutional monarch.

Greek war of Independence 
Greek was part of Ottoman Empire since 15th century. Greece got support from other Greeks living in Western Europe. Poets and artists thought Greece as base for European civilisation in their creation. Finally Treaty of Constantinople in (1832) declared Greece as an independent nation

Hunger Hardship and Popular Revolt
Europe experienced economic pains around 1830s. Rise of population was more than employment generation. Rural population start migrating to cities to live in overcrowded slums. Small producers (example textile production,) in towns faced tough competitions from import of machine goods from England. Peasants suffered feudal dues and duties in aristocratic regions of Europe. Rise in food price or a year of bad harvest led to poverty in town and country.

Peasants’ uprising – Silesia in 1845 
Weavers revolted against contractors for their reduced payments.
Viewpoint of Journalist Wilhelm Wolff In Silesian village (with 18000 inhabitants) cotton weaving was widespread occupation. Contractors took advantage of miserable conditions of workers by reducing goods price. On 4 June at 2 pm crowd of weavers marched to contractor’s mansion demanding higher wages. Group of weavers destroyed many precious things They broke in storehouse and stolen the cloth due to which contractor ran away to another village. Every village denied shelter to such person and he returned after 24 hours with army. All this resulted in death of eleven weavers.
Revolution of the LiberalsThis revolution was led by educated middle classes. Liberal middle classes demanded for justice with a nation state, a constitution and freedom of the press and association
The Frankfurt Parliament Germany in 1848
Political associations of middle-class professionals businessmen prosperous artisans came together in Frankfurt and decided to vote for an all German National Assembly. On 18th May 1848. 831 elected representatives marched to their places in Frankfurt Parliament assembled in St. Paul church. They drafted a constitution for Germany headed by monarch. Still women are denied to vote they were only allowed to observe happenings in Frankfurt Parliament by standing in visitor’s gallery. Women’s political rights was controversial in liberal movement. Women formed their political associations, founded newspaper and participated in political meetings and demonstrations.
Friedrich Wilhelm IV King of Prussia rejected the crown offer and joined monarchs to oppose elected assembly

The Making of Germany and Italy
Unification of Germany from 1866 to 1871 – In Germany nationalist feelings were widespread among middle-class Germans. In 1848 middle-class Germans tried to unite Germans into nation-state head by elected parliament. This initiative of nation-building was crushed by both Monarchy and Military, supported by Junkers (large landowners of Prussia). Prussia took on leadership of movement for national unification. Otto von Bismarck, Prussian Chief Minister designed unification process with the help of Prussian Army and government. Unification was achieved in over seven years, 3 wars with Austria,Denmark and France.
New Germany strongly focused on modernisation of currency, banking, legal and jurisdictional system in Germany
Unification of Italy from 1815 to 1871. Italy unification dates back to long history of political fragments. Italians were scattered over several dynastic states and multinational Habsburg Empire. Italy Was divided into 7 states during middle of 19th century. Only kingdom of Sardinia Piedmont was ruled by Italian princely house.
North was under Austrian Habsburgs, Centre was ruled by Pope and South were under Bourbon Kings of Spain. Italian language was not common and had variations.
Italy in 1830s – Giuseppe Mazzini organised a programme for uniting Italian republic. He was founder of secret society “Young Italy” for distribution of his goals.

Formation of Britain –
There was no Britain nation before 18th century. British peoples were identified by ethnicity that is common origin or race such as English Welsh Scottish or Irish with their own cultural and political traditions. In 1688 England established as nation-state and took power from monarchy.
The Act of Union in 1707 between England and Scotland formed United Kingdom. England dominated scotland and its culture. Even they were denied to use their national identities.
A new British nation BRITAIN was formed with symbols such as British Flag by Union Jack, National anthem that is God Save Our Noble King and English language.

Visualizing the nation
Artists in 18th and 19th centuries personified a nation. Nations were portrayed as female figures which became symbol of the nation. French revolution shown Liberty by broken chain or red cap, Justice by blindfolded woman carrying pair of weighing scales.
France symbol was the christened Marianne. She was characterized by ideas of Liberty and Republic the red cap the tricolour the cockade that is part of Hat. Marianne statues in public squares symbolize national unity, Marianne images on coins and stamps marked national identity.
In Germany, Germania became the allegory that is symbol of German nation. Germania was painted by Philipp Veit in 1848. It was painted on cotton banner. Visually Germania wears a crown of oak leaves that is symbols of German strength. It is represented with imperial eagle, a hemp branch that is sign of peace and a banner. Sword expresses an idea of defense and leadership. The black red and gold flag represents flag of Germany. Loose shackle that is a metal link representing freedom and independence.

Nationalism and Imperialism
Nationalist feelings were narrowed to small faith in last quarter of 19th century. Nationalists groups became intolerant and violent. European powers turned nationalism in to imperialism. (rule of emperor)

Word Meanings – The rise of nationalism in Europe
Utopian – Utopian is a vision of society that is so ideal that it is unlikely to actually exist.
Plebiscite – It is a direct vote by which all the people of a region are asked to accept or reject a proposal.
Serfdom – A person in bondage