The Rise of Nationalism in Europe

Introduction

Frederick Sorrieu: French artist who imagined a democratic and republican world through a series of paintings.
Imagery: Depicts the fall of monarchies and the rise of democratic values.
Key Painting: "The Pact Between Nations" includes a statue holding a torch in one hand and a charter of human rights in the other. Monarchs’ symbols like crowns and clothes are on the ground.
Blessings from Above: Shows celestial figures blessing this new democratic world.

Impact of the French Revolution

French Revolution (1789): Triggered a wave of change across Europe.
Pre-Revolution France: Ruled by monarchs with absolute power; no citizen rights.
Key Changes Post-Revolution:
- Power shifted from the monarchy to common citizens.
- Introduction of a new flag.
- French became the national language.
- Creation of a national anthem.
- Citizens began electing the state general, renamed National Assembly.

Spread of Nationalism

French Army: Spread the ideals of nationalism across Europe.
Common Message: Advocated that monarchies could be replaced by democracies.
Napoleon Bonaparte (1799-1815): Initially seen as a liberator.
Civil Code of 1804 (Napoleonic Code): Legal reforms included:
- Equality before the law.
- Security of property rights.
- Abolition of feudal system.
- Standardization of weights, measures, and currency.
Downfall: People resented Napoleon for political repression, high taxes, censorship, and forced conscription.

Nationalism in Mid-18th Century Europe

Absence of Nation-States: Dominated by empires and diverse ethnic groups.
Two Main Classes: Aristocrats (rich landowners) and Peasants (poor working class).
Industrial Revolution: Emergence of the middle class, educated professionals advocating for national unity and liberalism.
Liberal Nationalism: Advocated for government by the people, equality, and a constitution.

Trade and Economic Changes

Zollverein (1834): Customs union initiated by Prussia.
Key Reforms:
- Removal of trade barriers.
- Reduction of multiple currencies to two.
- Promotion of a unified railway network.

Conservatism and Reaction (Post-1815)

Congress of Vienna (1815): Led by conservative powers to restore pre-revolutionary order.
Key Changes:
- Restoration of monarchies.
- Strengthening of traditional hierarchies.
- Establishment of buffer states around France.

Rise of Secret Societies

Giuseppe Mazzini: Italian revolutionary who formed secret societies advocating national independence and liberty.
Key Societies: Young Italy and Young Europe.

Age of Revolutions (1830-1848)

July Revolution (1830):
- In France, removal of the Bourbon King and establishment of a constitutional monarchy.
- Belgium gained independence from the United Kingdom of Netherlands.
Greek War of Independence (1821-1832): Greek struggle for freedom from the Ottoman Empire, supported by Western European countries.
Cultural Nationalism (Romanticism): Emphasized cultural identity and national sentiments through art and literature.

Economic Hardships and Revolts (1830s-1840s)

Economic Crisis: Migration to cities, unemployment, and rising food prices.
Weavers’ Revolt (1845): Protests by weavers in Silesia against payment cuts.

German and Italian Unification

German Unification:
- Role of Prussian leadership and Otto von Bismarck.
- Wars against Denmark, Austria, and France.
- Proclamation of the German Empire in 1871.
Italian Unification:
- Led by the Kingdom of Sardinia-Piedmont and Count Cavour.
- Alliances and wars against Austria.
- Role of Giuseppe Garibaldi and his Red Shirts.
- Proclamation of Victor Emmanuel II as King of Italy in 1861.

Nation-Building in Britain

United Kingdom of Great Britain: Formation through the Act of Union (1707) between England and Scotland.
Irish Resistance: Conflict between Catholics and Protestants, leading to Irish revolts and eventual British dominance over Ireland.

Visualization of the Nation

Symbolism: Use of female figures and allegories to represent nations (e.g., Germania for Germany).

Nationalism and Imperialism

Shift to Imperialism: Nationalist sentiments leading to aggressive expansion and colonization.
Balkan Crisis: Decline of the Ottoman Empire and rise of independent Balkan states.
First World War: National and imperial rivalries contributed to the outbreak.

Conclusion

Nationalism played a complex role in reshaping Europe,
From the decline of monarchies to the rise of democratic ideals and nation-states,
Even leading to conflicts and imperialistic expansions.

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Summary

Nationalism in Europe rose significantly between the late 18th and early 19th centuries, driven largely by the French Revolution and Napoleon's reforms. This era saw significant revolutions, the unification of Italy and Germany, the establishment of national symbols, and economic changes that facilitated trade and unity. Nationalist movements were often countered by conservative forces, leading to a complex interplay between aspiration and repression. Finally, nationalist sentiments evolved into imperialism, culminating in conflicts like WWI.

Notes on Key Figures

Frederick Sorrieu: Imagined a democratic world.
Napoleon Bonaparte: Introduced the Napoleonic Code, later became unpopular.
Giuseppe Mazzini: Key figure in Italian nationalism.
Otto von Bismarck: Led the unification of Germany.
Giuseppe Garibaldi: Leader of the Red Shirts in Italy.

Important Terms

Nation-State: A country with a unified identity.
Liberal Nationalism: Government by the people, equality, and constitutional law.
Zollverein: Customs union in Germany.
Congress of Vienna: Conservative reaction after Napoleonic Wars.
Romanticism: Cultural movement emphasizing national identity.
Imperialism: Expansion of territorial dominion.

Significant Events

French Revolution: Sparked nationalism across Europe.
July Revolution (1830): Led to changes in France and Belgium.
Greek War of Independence: Greece gained independence from the Ottoman Empire.
Weavers’ Revolt (1845): Economic protest in Silesia.
Unification of Germany and Italy: Creation of unified nation-states.
Balkan Crisis: Rise of independent Balkan states.

Study Tips

Focus on understanding the motivations behind nationalist movements.
Pay attention to key figures and their roles in the unification processes.
Relate cultural movements like Romanticism to the broader theme of nationalism.
Remember the economic factors that facilitated unification efforts.
Keep track of significant treaties and their impacts on European borders.

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Additional Exercises

Compare the outcomes of the French and July Revolutions.
Analyze the significance of the Congress of Vienna.
Discuss the role of cultural movements in fostering nationalism.
Evaluate the impact of economic crises on revolutionary movements.

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