Nationalism in Europe

Nationalism is the idea that a people who have much in common, such as language, culture and geographic proximity ought to organize in such a way that it creates a stable and enduring state. Nationalism is tied to patriotism, and it is the driving force behind the identity of a culture. Nationalism had many effects in Europe from 1815, The Congress of Vienna and beyond. In the following essay I will describe many of the consequences of nationalism on European identity, as well as some of the conflicts that it created.

Nationalism was strongly endorsed by the middle class, including intellectuals, professors, students and journalists. These groups of middle class professionals were also the driving force behind the liberal movement that coincides with nationalism. The idea that society could progress and reform was tied to nationalism and is part of the appeal that captivated the middle class. Those who would have opposed the idea of nationalism would have been the same people who opposed liberal reform, namely those already in a position of power. As people cried out for democratic systems of government and reform they were met with opposition from aristocrats and members of the ruling elite who had a stake in preserving their own interests. Nobles, powerful landowners and the career politicians would have been opposed to changes that would require them to cede power and influence in the name of progress.

Prince Metternich was a gifted politician and understood the ideas of patriotism and nationalism in the balance of power in Europe. We see an example of his understanding of these ideas in how he treated France in the post-Napoleonic era that the Congress of Vienna was about. If you look at how gracious he was ...

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... nations of the time saw their expansion and imperialism as a profoundly nobly pursuit. The native people of Asia and Africa were considered to be savages and uncultured. The influence of European ideals and ways of life would, in the minds of their conquerors, help these people achieve better lives and a lead them to a better existence.

The rise of nationalism and its mark on the history of Europe was quite profound. The unification of major powers and the civil unrest on the journey to unification created a large chapter of history in the nineteenth century. By the 1900s the mark of nationalism had been left on Italy, Germany, France and Great Britain. The major European powers had come through great trials to set the stage for the twentieth century and the conflicts that will erupt. Nationalism will be remembered as a great period of change and growth.