HISTORY in Europe

The Rise of Nationalism

CLASS
HISTORY – 10– 10
CLASS

BY
Frederic Sorrieu’S Print on ‘Democratic
and Social Republics’
In 1848, Frédéric Sorrieu, a French artist, prepared a
series of four prints.
This picture shows his dream of a world made up of
‘democratic and social Republics’.
The picture shows Peoples of Europe and America
marching in a long train, and offering homage to the
statue of Liberty as they pass by it.
Statue of Liberty is a symbol of freedom or liberty.
On the ground you can see the fallen symbols of
absolute governments.
 French Revolution of 1789 popularised the idea of
Nationalism in Europe.
French Revolution proclaimed
that the People are the Nation
(i) They introduced the ideas of la patrie ( the
father land) and le citoyen ( citizen). All citizens
were guaranteed equal rights.

(ii) A new tri colour national flag was adopted.

(iii) Hymns in praise of the Nation were

popularized. People took oath to stay united. They
paid tribute to martyrs.
(iv) A centralized administrative system with
uniform laws was established.

(v) Uniform system of weights and measures was

adopted.

(vi) Internal customs duties were abolished to

promote trade within the country.

(vii) French was promoted as the common

language of the nation.
French Revolutionaries wanted to Liberate the people of
other European countries from autocratic rulers. They
started wars against other European countries.
• Students and middle class people of other
European countries were attracted by the ideas
of French Revolution.

• They formed Jacobins clubs. They wanted to end

autocracy in their countries.

• They welcome Nepoleon’s army. They considered

him as a liberator.
NEPOLEONONIC CODE
 NAPOLEONIC CODE (CIVIL CODE OF 1894)
(i) Napoleonic code abolished privileges based on
birth.

(ii) It established equality before law.

(iii) It guaranteed right to property.

(iv) It simplified administrative system.

(v) It abolished feudal system.

Initially, the people of other European countries
welcomed French army. They considered it as a
liberating army.
Later they turned against the French rule due to
following reasons:

(i) The European Nations lost their political

freedom. They went under French rule.

(ii) Taxes were increased.

(iii) Censorship was introduced.

(iv) People were forced to join French army.

 CHANGES INTRODUCED BY NEPOLEON IN EUROPE
(i) Napoleon abolished feudal system.
(ii) He simplified administrative system.
(iii) He abolished serfdom and gave freedom to serfs.
(iv) He introduced uniform laws, uniform currency and
uniform system of weights and measures.
(v) Manorial dues were abolished.
(vi) Transport and communication facilities were
developed.
(vii) Guild restrictions were removed.
(viii) Civil Code of 1804 abolished all the privileges
based on birth.
 IMPACT OF FRENCH REVOLUTION ON OTHER
EUROPEAN COUNTRIES
(i) French Revolution spread ideas like liberty,
fraternity and equality among the Europeans.
(ii) Jacobins Clubs were formed in different European
countries.
(iii) Liberalism spread. People opposed absolute
monarchy and the power of nobles.
(iv) People welcomed French army. They considered it
as a liberating force.
(v) Absolute monarchy was overthrown in some
countries.
(vi) Later, people turned against the French army. They
began to consider it as anaggressor.
 RISE OF NATIONALISM IN EUROPE
Political conditions in Europe during the mid 18th
century.
(i) Nation States did not exist in Europe during the
mid 18th century.
(ii) Modern nations like Germany and Italy were
divided in to kingdoms, duchies and cantons.
(iii) In Eastern and Central Europe, autocratic kings
established empires in which diverse people lived.
They spoke different languages and belonged to
different ethnic groups.
Social conditions of Europe in mid-eighteenth century
Europe.
(i) Nobles who were landlords dominated the social
life. They enjoyed many privileges. They spoke French
language,
(ii) Peasants constituted majority in the society. They
were tenants and small cultivators.
(iii) In Eastern and Central Europe serfdom existed.
(iv) Industrial development resulted in the emergence
of two social groups – workers and middle class.
(v) Middle class people were educated and were
influenced by liberal ideas.
(vi) Church had a lot of influence over social life. Clergy
enjoyed many privileges
 Main features of the class of landed aristocracy in
Europe during the18th century.
(i) Aristocracy in Europe was socially and politically
powerful during the 18th century.
(ii) They owned large Estates in villages and big
houses in towns.
(iii) They collected heavy rent and manorial dues
from the peasants.
(iv) They spoke French language and were united
by a common way of life.
(v) Their families were connected by marriage
relations.
 Impact of the Growth of Industries on Social,
economic and political conditions in Europe
(i) Growth of industries resulted in the emergence
of towns and cities. New liberal ideas spread
among the people of towns and cities.
(ii) A new social class called middle class emerged.
They were educated. They opposed privileges
based on birth and supported liberal ideas.
(iii) It also resulted in the emergence of a new
group called workers. They were united in their
struggle for rights.
 Middle Class – A social Group that led Nationalist
Movements
The middle class consisting of professionals,
businessmen, government officers and teachers
spearheaded nationalist movements in Europe.
(i) They were educated. They supported new liberal
ideas.
(ii) They wanted to put an end to privileges based
on birth.
(iii) They wanted to build Nation States.
(iv) They were against absolute monarchy. They
supported a government based on people’s
consent.
LIBERAL NATIONALISTS
 LIBERALS
The word liberalism originated from the Latin word
liber which means freedom.
(i) It opposed absolute monarchy and supported a
government based on people’s consent.
(ii) They demanded a constitution and elected
parliament.
(iii) They did not support universal adult franchise.
They wanted right to vote only for men with
property.
(iv) They wanted to end the privileges enjoyed by
the nobles and the clergy.
(v) They supported individual freedom and equality
before law.
 Ideas of Liberals in the Economic Front
(i) Liberals wanted freedom of markets. They wanted
the Government to remove all restrictions.
(ii) They wanted all the restrictions on the movement
of goods, people and capital to be withdrawn.
(iii) They demanded the abolition of internal customs
duty.
(iv) They supported a common system of weights
and measures and a national currency.
(v) In 1934, a customs union called Zollverein was
formed in Prussia. It abolished internal customs
duties and reduced the number of currencies.
CONSERVATISM IN EUROPE
 CONSERVATISM
• Conservatism emerged in Europe in 1815 after the
defeat of Napoleon.
(i) Conservatists supported traditional institutions
such as monarchy, church, social order , property and
family.
(ii) They did not want to return to the pre-
revolutionary days.
(iii) They believed that the modern ideas would
strengthen monarchy and make it more powerful and
effective.
(iv) Modern army, efficient officers and abolition of
feudalism and serfdom would make monarchy strong.
 Treaty of Vienna of 1815
After the defeat of Napoleon, the leaders of Britain,
Russia, Prussia and Austria met at Vienna and signed
treaty.
(i) Bourbon dynasty was re-established in France.
(ii) France lost territories captured by Napoleon.
(iii) New kingdoms were set up along the boundaries
of France.
(iv) Netherland was set up in the north.
(v) Prussia got territories along the west.
(vi) Austria was given northern parts of Italy.
(vii) Russia got a part of Poland. Saxony was given to
Prussia.
 Characteristics of the conservative regimes
set up in 1815
(i) They were autocratic governments.

(ii) They did not tolerate criticism and opposition.

(iii) Censorship laws were strictly implemented to

prevent campaigns against the

Government. People were not given freedom and

rights.
LIBERAL NATIONALISTS AFTER 1815
 LIBERAL NATIONALISTS AFTER 1815
(REVOLUTIONARIES)
(i) After 1815, the liberals worked underground.
(ii) They set up secret societies to train
revolutionaries and spread their ideas.
(iii) They opposed the absolute monarchies and
demanded liberty and freedom.
(iv) They also supported the formation of nation
states
 Giuseppe Mazzini -Italian revolutionary
Born in Genoa in 1807
In 1831 he was sent on exile for attempting a revolution in Liguria.
 Giuseppe Mazzini -Italian revolutionary
(i) Mazzini became member of a secret society. He
was sent on exile for trying a revolution in Liguria.
(ii) He founded two secret societies – Young Italy
and Young Europe.

(iii) He supported the formation of Nation States.

He opposed absolute monarchy.
(iv) Metternich described him as ‘the most
dangerous enemy of our social order’.
Duke Metternich
 Duke Metternich
(i) Duke Metternich was the Chancellor of Austria.
(ii) He was a conservative. He wanted to
strengthen autocratic monarchy.
(iii) He hosted the Vienna Conference that
prepared the Treaty of Vienna.
(iv) He played a major role in establishing
conservative Governments in several European
countries.
 Upheaval in France in 1830
(i) The Bourbon dynasty was overthrown by
liberal revolutionaries.
(ii) A constitutional monarchy was installed with
Louis Philippe as its head.
(iii) Revolutions started in other European
countries. Belgium won freedom from
Netherlands. Greece won freedom from
Ottoman Empire.
It means that the events that occur in France will
have direct effect on the other European countries.
(i) After the French Revolution of 1789,
revolutionary spirit spread all over Europe.
(ii) The French Revolution spread liberal ideas like
liberty, fraternity and equality among the European
countries. Jacobins clubs were formed in many
countries.
(iii) After a revolution in France in 1830, similar
revolutions occurred in Belgium, Greece and other
countries.
Greek War of Independence
 Greek War of Independence
(i) Greek nationalists got support from Greeks living
in exile and also from other Europeans. They all had
sympathy towards ancient Greek culture.
(ii) Poets and artists called Greece, the cradle of
European civilization and mobilized public opinion
in support of the struggle against a Muslim Empire.
(iii) Lord Byron collected funds and participated in
the fight for freedom.
(iv) The Treaty of Constantinople signed in 1832,
gave freedom to Greece.
ROLE OF CULTURE IN PROMOTING
NATIONALISM
Culture played an important role in creating
national feelings among the people.
(i) Romanticism, a cultural movement considered
common culture as the basis of a Nation.
(ii) Folk culture such as folk songs, folk poetry and
folk dances showed the true spirit of nationalism.
They were promoted.
(iii) The idea of a Nation was expressed through
songs, stories, poems and paintings.
(iv) Vernacular languages were also used to create
national identity.
 Romanticism was a cultural movement that
promoted national feelings.
(i) It opposed the glorification of Science and
reason. It gave importance to emotions, intuitions
and mystical feelings.
(ii) It supported common culture as the basis of a
Nation.
(iii) It made use of folk tales, folk songs and folk
dances to promote Nationalism.
(iv) Vernacular languages were also used to create
national identity.
Economic hardship that Europe faced
during 1830s.
 (i) Rapid growth of population resulted in large
scale poverty and unemployment in European
countries.
(ii) Rural people migrated in large numbers to urban
areas. This resulted in the growth of slums.
(iii) Small producers faced competition from the
machine made goods that came from England.
Many small production units were closed.
(iv) In some places, aristocracy continued to be
powerful. Peasants had to pay feudal dues.
(v) During the periods of bad harvest food prices
increased.
GERMANY BEFORE UNIFICATION
i) In 1848, the middle class tried to build a united
Germany. They met at Frankfurt and formed a
national assembly. However, their attempt ended in
failure.
ii) Prussia took over the leadership of German
unification movement.
iii) The chief minister of Prussia, Otto Von Bismarck
started efforts to build a German nation.
iv) Prussia t defeated Austria, Denmark and France
in wars.
v) In January 1871, a united German Nation was
established with the Prussian king, Kaiser William I
as the Emperor.
Otto Von Bismarck
Otto Von Bismarck was the architect of German
unification.
i) The efforts by the middle class to build a united
Germany ended in failure..
ii) Prussia took over the leadership of German
unification movement.
iii) The chief minister of Prussia, Otto Von Bismarck
started efforts to build a German nation.
iv) He succeeded in defeating Austria, Denmark and
France in wars.
v) In January 1871, a united German Nation was
established with the Prussian king, Kaiser William I
as the Emperor.
 Efforts made by the liberal middle class for the
unification of Germany.
(i) The liberal middle class met at Frankfurt
formed an all-German National Assembly.

(ii) On 18 May 1848, 831 elected representatives

attended Frankfurt parliament meeting in the
Church of St Paul.

(iii) They drafted a constitution for a German

Nation with a constitutional monarchy.
(iv) They offered the position of King to Friedrich
Wilhelm IV, King of Prussia.

(v) The King rejected the offer and along with other
kings opposed the elected assembly.

(vi) Parliament mostly consisted of middle class. The

lost the support of ordinary people.

(vii) Finally, the rulers succeeded in dissolving the

Assembly with the help of army.
ITALY BEFORE UNIFICATION
 ITALY BEFORE UNIFICATION
(i) Italy was divided in to several kingdoms
and a multi – national Habsburg Empire.
(ii) During the middle of the nineteenth
century, Italy was divided into seven states.
(iii) Sardinia-Piedmont was ruled by an Italian
King. The north was under Habsburgs Empire.
The centre was ruled by the Pope and the
southern regions were under the domination
of the Bourbon kings of Spain.
(iv) Italian language did not acquire common
form .It had many regional variations.
 i) In 1830, Mazzini tried to unite Italy. He formed a
secret society called ‘Young Italy’ to achieve his goal.
His efforts ended in failure.
ii) After 1848, the king of Sardinia – Piedmont, Victor
Emmanuel II took over the leadership of Italian
unification movement.
iii) Cavour, the chief minister of Sardinia started efforts
to build a united Italy with the support of France.
iv) He succeeded in defeating Austria in 1859.
v) Armed volunteers led by Garibaldi helped Cavour, to
defeat the kingdom of two Sicillies. They also got the
support of local peasants.
vi) In 1861, a united Italy was established with Victor
Emmanuel II as the Emperor.
 UNIFICATION OF BRITAIN
i) English, Welsh, Scot and Irish ethnic groups lived in
British islands.
ii) In 1688, the English parliament captured power from
the Monarchy.
iii) In 1707, the United Kingdom of Great Britain was
formed by the unification of England and Scotland.
iv) British parliament was dominated by English
members. Scots were suppressed.
v) Ireland was forcibly taken by Britain after the failure
of a revolution led by Wolfe Tone.
vi) A strong British nation with a flag and a national
anthem was established, other ethnic groups were
suppressed.
 VISUALISING THE NATION

i) In order to spread national spirit, the nationalists

made symbolic personification of the idea of nation.

ii) From 1789, females appeared in paintings as symbol

of liberty and revolution.

iii) The French revolutionaries created the image of

Marianne. She represented the French nation.

iv) Marianne’s statues were erected in public places

and here images were marked on coins and stamps.

v) Germania became the symbol of German nation.

She is wearing a crown of oak leaves. Oak represented

heroism.

vi) French artists used symbols like Red cap and broken

chains for freedom. They used the image of a lady with

a balance in hand as a symbol of justice.

 Marianne Germania

Symbols of Liberty

Symbol of Justice
NATIONALISM AND IMPERIALSIM
 Nationalism Promoted Imperialism
i) Extreme nationalism developed in Europe in the last
part of the 19th century. Nationalism lost its liberal
democratic outlook and became narrow.
ii) Nationalists become intolerant to the other nations
and people.
iii) European rulers made use of nationalist feelings in
order to achieve their imperialist goals.
iv) Growth of extreme nationalism and the fall of
Ottoman Empire created conflicts and troubles in
the Balkans.
v) Balkan states won freedom and then they started
fighting against each other over the question of
sharing territories.
vi) Extreme nationalism and imperialist ambitions
created several conflicts between the major
European powers. All these resulted in the outbreak
of First World War.
BALKAN CRISIS
(i) The Balkans was a region consisting of Romania,
Bulgaria, Albania, Greece, Macedonia, Croatia, Bosnia-
Herzegovina, Slovenia, Serbia and Montenegro.

(ii) The people of Balkans were known as the Slavs. The

Balkans was under the control of the Ottoman Empire.

(iii) The spread of romantic nationalism in the Balkans

together with the decline of the Ottoman Empire made
this region very explosive.
(iv) The Balkan States declared freedom and

became independent Nations.

(v) The conflicts started between Balkan States over

the sharing of territories.

(vi) The interference of big European powers in the

Balkan issue created more conflicts. All these led to

the outbreak of the First World War.