Rise of the Nation State
SSWH15 The student will be able to describe the impact
of industrialization, the rise of nationalism, and the major
characteristics of worldwide imperialism.
b. Compare and contrast the rise of the nation state in
Germany under Otto von Bismarck and Japan under
Emperor Meiji.
Nationalism
• Radical idea in the years after 1815
• Belief that each people had its own genius
and own cultural unity based on a
common language, history, and territory
• Sought to turn this cultural unity into a
political reality so that each people lived in
an independent nation state
• As a result, countries like Germany who
were divided into many principalities
wanted national unity and one form of
government
Impact of Nationalism
• Triumphed in the long run because the
development of complex industrial and
urban societies required much better
communication
• Nations developed a strong sense of “we”
and “they”
• Lurking below the surface was ideas of
national superiority and a national mission
that could lead to conflict
Information on the Rise of the
Nation State
• Chapter 19 Sections 2 and 3
• Chapter 20 Section 3
• Chapter 22 Section 3
Group Activity
Complete the chart comparing and contrasting the rise of the
nation state in Germany and Japan.
Germany under Otto von
Bismarck
Industrialization
Consolidation of
Power
Foreign
Interactions
Creating a
Modern State
Role of Leaders
Japan under Meiji