Nationalism in 19th Century Europe

By Tara Jakubik

What Was Nationalism?

The strong belief that the interests of a particular nation-state are of primary importance. Also, the belief that people who share a common language, history, and culture should constitute an independent nation, free of foreign domination

Origins of Nationalism

Nationalism was the most powerful political force of the 19th century

It emerged from the Romantic exaltation of ‘feeling’ and ‘identity’ the liberal requirement that a legitimate state be based upon a

‘people’ rather than imperial domination Influences from French Revolution

Both Romantic ‘identity nationalism’ and liberal ‘civic nationalism,’ were essentially middle class movements

How Nationalism Was Used

Exemplified in two main methods: German Method:

The define the “nation” in ethnic terms- Speaking same language and family name

French method of inclusion: The enforcement of a considerable degree of

uniformity- the destruction of regional languages

Why Was It Opposed?

Nationalism called for a creation of independent state based on nationality These demands were against Congress of

Vienna Especially Russian and Austrian Empires

Threatened the existence of these empires Challenged the hierarchy of social privilege

Origins of Nationalism in Germany

Germany did not exist as a country until 1871

Before 1806, it was initially divided into hundreds of different states, each with their own ruler, and still part of the Holy Roman Empire

Around 1800, Europe was in the middle of The Napoleonic Wars and Prussia or other German States remained neutral or allied with the France

J.G. Fichte Herder

Napoleon creates the Confederation of Germany

Nationalism in Germany In 1814 and 1815, Europe met at the Congress of

Vienna to settle Europe after years of war The German Confederation was also created, which was

to promote trade and provide for the common defense of the German states

Prussia and Austria was still most powerful German States start of German nationalism

feared how liberal ideas from French could undermine their power

feared nationalism because it meant losing their powers

Influence of the Revolutions of 1848

spread to Germany and members of the middle class and urban working force started to demand reform

March Revolution in 1848 Riots in Frankfurt- the Declaration

of Rights of German People frightened the German rulers Government official were replaced

with more liberal ones In Frankfurt, a German National

Assembly was formed to discuss a national German parliament and a unified Germany

Chaos Follows…

Those people and groups who had come to power in 1848 began to fight amongst themselves, arguing over what direction they should go in next

German National Assembly ignored by the German rulers Parliaments and constitutions were dissolved to ensure the

absolute power In 1849, the Assembly in Frankfurt offered the crown of a unified

German state that was to be a constitutional monarchy to King Frederick William IV of Prussia

by 1851, almost all of the gains made in 1848 had been reversed

Growing German States and Creation of Germany

Prussia attempted to increase its power Prussia had also tried to dissolve the German Confederation and

create its own organization of German states 1850s

The economies of the German states continued to grow In 1862, Otto von Bismarck became chief minister of Prussia

A master of power politics, Bismarck skillfully fought three wars to unify the states of Germany into a single nation under Prussian leadership

Leads to German Empire in 1871 under King William I of Prussia

Proclaiming the German Empire in 1871

Greece and Belgium: Independence!

The Greeks revolted in 1821 against the Ottoman Empire Prince Alexander Ypsilantis found a secret national

organization in 1814 “Society of Friends”

1821: he organized the revolt against Ottoman domination

With some help from Britain, France, and Russia against the Turks, Greece gained independence in 1832

(Continued)

Belgium was an industrial nation that complimented Dutch agriculture and trade, however the Dutch king was an absolutist Belgians were catholic, whereas the Dutch were Calvinists a month after the July revolution in France, the Belgian leaders

asked for self-government Dutch resented at first, but Belgium finally proclaimed

independence and began to draft its own constitution Nicolas I of Russia strongly objected the situation but distracted

by revolts in Poland- Belgium proceeded into statehood and gained independence

against the Dutch in 1830

Russia

Tsar Nicholas I- very nationalist In 1833 the minister of education

proclaimed the doctrine of “Official Nationality”

Autocracy, orthodoxy, and nationality were to be the intertwined principles of the state

Defended at all costs

Poland

Tsar Alexander I as king of Poland Polish uprising in November of 1830

Provisional national government formed Tried to flee Russian oppression and infuse Polish

nationalism with romanticism Greater Poland Uprisings in 1848 Nicholas I reduces nationalism with policies

Italia

Collection of small states dominated by Austria until 1850

Between 1815-1848 - many Italians began to want national Unity

Giuseppe Mazzini (1805-1872)– spokesman for Italian

nationalism Founded “Young Italy”- to drive

Austrians out

Continued..

Charles Albert of Piedmont-Sardinia was faced with the revolts in Italy when Mazinni was exiled

People looked to the Pope for unification Failure of revolutions in 1848 Help of Cavour and Garibaldi lead to

unification of Italy in 1871 after many political conflicts

France February Revolution of

1848 French Second Republic National Workshops Bloody June Days Louis Napoleon

Bonaparte Ruler of the Second

Empire(1852-1870)

Austrian Empire

As a multi-ethnic empire, revolution spread within

Violence in Vienna – Metternich’s Flight Hungary declares independence Habsburg monarchy and Bohemia recognized Czechs call for an All-Slav Conference Italian Rebellion

Map of Europe in 1806

Europe in

1840

Europe in

1885