The rise of nationalism in Europe resulted from cultural, ethnic, as well as political policies that led to the formation of nation-states and new national identities in place of the former multiethnic empires. It began in the mid-18th century with the age of the Enlightenment. It gained momentum early in the 19th century as a product of the Industrial Revolution and the consequent rise of the middle class. As a result of these developments, the nation-state replaced Europe’s multinational dynastic empires.

What is Nationalism?

Nationalism emerged as an idea to bring people together, creating a sense of unity among those who shared similar cultural and linguistic ties. In Europe, various nations embraced this ideology as a means to resist the dominance of the German and Russian Empires and strive for independence. The rise of the middle class, fueled by the Industrial Revolution, played a crucial role in fostering nationalistic sentiments. Additionally, the Enlightenment era contributed to spreading ideas that encouraged the belief in a shared national identity, further fueling the desire for independence across different European countries.

About for Rise of Nationalism in Europe

The spark for the rise of nationalism in Europe can be traced back to the French Revolution and the Napoleonic Wars. According to Leon Baradat, a political science professor in the United States, nationalism involves people connecting with their national group’s interests and supporting the establishment of a nation-state to pursue those interests. This era saw a shift from monarchical power to self-determination and the formation of new national governments, freeing regions from foreign control.

Some nations, like Germany and Italy, were born from the unity of regional republics sharing a common “national character.” Others, such as Greece, Serbia, Bulgaria, and Poland, emerged through uprisings against the Ottoman and Russian empires. Romania, a unique case, came into being in 1859 by merging Moldavian and Wallachian principalities and later gained independence from the Ottoman Empire in 1878.

Factors That Led to Nationalism in Europe

There are several factors that led to Nationalism in Europe. Some of them were assisted by the following causes.

• The feudal system was a significant impediment to nationalism.
• The church was influential throughout the Middle Ages, wielding immense control over the globe.
• Many conflicts have also elicited patriotic sentiments from the general populace.
• Foreign rulers often decided to oppress their subjects, contributing to the rise of nationalism.
• Reactions drove the nationalist feeling about injustice and the arbitrary reign of unjust kings.
• Famous poets, politicians, and philosophers like Machiavelli, Mills, Mazzini, and Garibaldi contributed significantly to the public’s political awareness and national pride.

Introduction to Nationalism by Ernst Renon and Frédéric Sorrieu

Nationalism, as explored in Ernst Renon and Frédéric Sorrieu’s “Introduction to Nationalism” (2011, Manchester University Press), offers a captivating journey through the evolving perspectives on this complex concept over the past two centuries. The authors, in their engaging and richly detailed style, seek not merely to present a historical survey but to distill a shared understanding of nationalism. Surprisingly, it isn’t until page 180, halfway into the book, that they unveil their consensus definition.

They discard earlier simplistic definitions, such as ‘Nationalism is a political doctrine or ideology’, and eventually settle on the notion that nationalism is a social, political, and cultural ideology, placing the nation at the forefront of human identity and loyalty in its cultural, linguistic, and political dimensions. The book stands out for its emphasis on the diverse manifestations of nationalism, highlighting both radical and conservative strains, and skillfully elucidates how varied definitions of nationalism have served different political purposes.

Conclusion

The Rise of Nationalism in Europe in 19th century Europe, a feeling of nationalism radically transformed countries, leading to radical changes in political and social scenarios. Until the nineteenth century, before the rise of nationalism in Europe, there were no distinct nations. At the same time, the nation-state concept is the modern outcome of the rise of nationalism in Europe. The ideas of nation-unity in Europe at the beginning of the nineteenth century were strongly associated with ideologies of liberalism. During the nineteenth century, nationalism emerged as the force that brought sweeping changes in Europe’s political and intellectual world.

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