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Chapter At A Glance History Ch 1
- During the 19th century, nationalism emerged as a force which brought about sweeping changes in the political and intellectual world of Europe. Consequently, the nation - states emerged in the place of the multinational dynastic empires of Europe.
- The French Revolution took place in 1789 A.D. It led to the transfer of sovereignty from the monarchy to a body of French citizens.
- Napolean set about introducing many of the reforms that he had already introduced in France, in the regions under French control. But people of those regions soon began to realise that the new administrative arrangements could not go hand in hand with political freedom.
- Ideas of national unity in early 19th century Europe were closely allied to the ideology of Liberalism. Liberalism stood for freedom in all spheres - political, social and economic.
- In 1815 A.D., Napoleon was defeated collectively by Britain. Russia, Prussia and Austria. These countries met at Vienna to draw up a settlement for Europe. They drew up the Treaty of Vienna of 1815 with the object of undoing most of the changes that had come about in Europe during the Napoleonic era.
- Conservative regimes set up in 1815 A.D. were autocratic. They did not tolerate criticism and dissent. As a result, several liberal - nationalists went underground. Many secret socities were set up to train revolutionaries and spread their ideas. Most of the revolutionaries saw the creation of nation - states as a necessary part of their struggle for freedom.
- In many regions of Europe, the liberal - nationalists belonging to the educated middle class elite, led the liberal revolutions. An event that mobilised nationalist feeling among the educated elite across Europe was the Greek War of Independence.
- The development of nationalism did not come about only through wars and territorial expansion. Culture played an important role in creating the idea of the nation.
- Nationalist feelings were widespread among middle - class Germans who in 1848 A.D. tried to unite the different regions of the German Confederation into a nation - state governed by an elected Parliament. The liberal initative to nation - building was, however, repressed by combined forces of the monarchy and the military supported by the large landowners of Prussia. From then on, Prussia took the leadership of the movement for national unification.
- In Great Britain, the formation of the nation - state was not the result of a sudden upheavel or revolution. It was the result of long drawn out process.
- Ireland was deeply divided between Catholics and Protestants. The English helped the Protestants of Ireland to establish their dominance over a largely Catholic country.
- Nationalism, aligned with imperialism, led Europe to disaster in 1914 A.D. Many European countries began to oppose imperial domination.
Important Terms & Their Explanation
- Absolutist : Literally, a government or system of the rule that has no restraints on the power exercised. In history, the term refers to a form of monarchical government that was centralised, militarised and repressive.
- Utopian : A vision of a society that is so ideal that it is unlikely to actually exist.
- Plebiscite : A direct vote by which all the people of a region are asked to accept or reject a proposal.
- Suffrage : The right to vote
- Conservatism : A political philosophy that stressed the importance of tradition, established institutions and customs, and preferred gradual development to quick change.
- Feminist : Awareness of women's rights and interest based on the belief of the social, economic and political equality of the genders.
- Ideology : System of ideas reflecting a particular social and political vision.
- Ethnic : Relates to a common racial, tribal, or cultural origin or background that a community identifies with or claims
- Allegory : When an abstract idea (for instance, greed, envy, freedom, liberty) is expressed through a person or a thing. An allegorical story has two meanings, one literal and one symbolic.
Important Dates And Events
- 1797 - Napoleon invades Italy : Napoleonic wars begin
- 1814 - 1815 - Fall of Napoleon; the Vienna Peace Settlement
- 1821 - Greek struggle for independence begins
- 1848 - Revolutions in Europe; artisans, industrial workers and peasants revolt against economic hardhips; middle classes demand constitutions and representative governments; Italians, Germans, Magyars, Poles, Czechs, etc. demand nation - states
- 1859 - 1870 - Unification of Italy
- 1866 - 1871 - Unification of Germany
- 1905 - Slav nationalism gathers force in the Habsburg and Ottoman Empire.