Give an account of the development of nationalism in Europe during
the period 1815-70.
In 1815, the powers wanted to uproot nationalism by dividing the territories that had been
unified by Napoleon. However, the Vienna Settlement could not stop the spread of nationalism,
it became a powerful force during the period 1815-70.
Nationalism was suppressed in the Congress of Vienna. In 1815, the powers in the Congress
of Vienna were afraid of the spread of nationalism which was spread by Napoleon. They
wanted to uproot nationalism in Europe, especially in German States, Italian States and Poland
which were once unified by Napoleon before 1815. Therefore, the Vienna Settlement divided
German States into 39; Italian states, 8; and Poland was given to Russian control. It was hoped
that such arrangement would stop the spread of nationalism by dividing the territories.
However, such plan did not work because of three reasons that helped the spread of
nationalism in Europe.
The first factor that helped the spread of nationalism was successful examples. A number
of events that took place in 1830 helped the spread of nationalism. In the early 1830's, the
Greeks won their independence. Their success set an example to those peoples who were still
under foreign rule. In this way, ideas of national awareness began to spread throughout
Europe. ( Refer notes on 1830 and 1848 revo. p.4. Don't write liberalism, but nationalism only
because the question asked on nationalism only)
The second factor that helped the spread of nationalism was the development in industry
and the expansion of trade. Through the construction of railway and the improvement in
communication, the middle class helped the spread of nationalism since states and provinces
were brought unto closer contact with one another. This speeded up the awakening of
national awareness. ( Refer notes on 1830 and 1848 revo. p.4)
At last, but not the least, Romanticism also helped the spread of nationalism. The Romantic
writers devoted themselves to the study of folklore and the historic past, thus they stirred up an
awareness of the past. In this way, Romantic movement helped the spread of nationalism in
Europe. (Refer notes on 1830 and 1848 revo. p.4)
Although nationalism was developing at that time, most of the revolutions for nationalism
were suppressed, especially during the period 1815-48. Yet, the revolutions were not
fruitless because the seeds of nationalism were sown in this period.
In 1830-48, the revolutions for Italian Unification were suppressed. Although such
revolutions were failed, nationalism was spread in Italy.(....Carbonari.... Mazzini's work and
his Roman Republic...) What's more, the Italians found their leader in the 1848 revolution. It
was because the Italians believed that Charles Albert was trustworthy since he helped Italians to
fight against Austria in 1848. Although he was failed, the Italians supported Piedmont later.
Therefore, nationalism was gradually developed in Italy. Finally, all forces were united and the
leader was chosen. The nationalism in Italy was so strong that it supported Piedmont to
unify Italy during the period 1850s-70.
In Germany, nationalism also developed rapidly. In 1830's.... Zollverein.... How it developed
nationalism. In 1848, the Frankfurt Assembly also showed the spread of nationalism. In the
Frankfurt Assembly, the revolutionaries discussed the plans for the German unification and
finally they decided on Lesser Germany and offered the crown to Prussia. Although Prussia
later rejected such offer and dissolved the assembly with the support of Austria, nationalism
was clearly shown in the decision of the Frankfurt Assembly. Therefore, nationalism in
Germany was so strong that it supported Prussia to unify Germany during the period
1860-70.
Although most of the revolutions for nationalism were failed, except Belgian and Greek
Revolts, the seed of nationalism was sown throughout Europe. It was during the period
1849-70 that the fruits of nationalism were shown. It was the harvest period.
Nationalism helped Italian Unification in 1870. After choosing Piedmont as the leader of
Risorgimento, the Italians followed the leadership of Piedmont. When Piedmont defeated
Austria in 1859 and unified Lombardy, the Italians in Tuscany, Parma and Modena started
revolts there and finally voted to join with Piedmont in a plebiscite. This clearly showed the
work of nationalism in those places. Besides, the revolt in the Two Sicilies and Garibaldi’s
expedition also showed the strong desire for unification among the Italians. Finally,
Garibaldi handed over the Two Sicilies to Piedmont for avoiding a civil war. It clearly showed
the importance of nationalism in unifying Italy.
Nationalism also helped German Unification in 1870. Bismarck planned to fight Denmark
for trapping Austria in future conflict. Yet, in the war against Denmark, most Germans
supported Prussia. It showed the strong power of nationalism among the Germans. Besides,
After the Seven Weeks’ war against Austria, Prussia unified with the Northern German States
and formed the North German Confederation. It also showed the influence of nationalism. In
the Franco-Prussian war, the Southern German States were alarmed on the ambition of France
and they urged Prussia to fight against France. Finally, they unified with the North German
Confederation and formed Germany. All these developments clearly showed the work of
nationalism in Germany.
In 1867, Austria also granted certain rights to Hungary and formed the Austria-Hungary. This
Dual Monarchy was a triumph to Hungary who asked for independence from Austrian rule.
Though the arrangement of the Dual Monarchy was by no means complete independence, it at
least marked the progress of nationalism in Hungary.
The strength of nationalism could also be shown in its relation with other forces,
especially liberalism. During the period 1815-48, nationalism and liberalism joined hand in
hand. For example, Besides asking for Italian Unification (nationalism), Mazzini also urged for
the development of Republic in Italy (liberalism). The Frankfurt Assembly in Germany also
asked for Fundamental Rights of the Germans (liberalism) and German Unification
(nationalism) at the same time. It was clear that both nationalist and liberalist worked together
for revolution, at least before 1848.
After 1848 revolutions, most revolutionaries gave up liberalism for nationalism. It was
because they found that it was hard to achieve both aims at the same time. Since national
unification or independence was in higher priority, they gave up liberalism. For example, when
Garibaldi, a follower of Mazzini, handed over Two Sicilies to Piedmont, it showed that he had
given up the idea of setting up republic (liberalism) there. To him, avoiding civil war and Italian
Unification (nationalism) were more important. When Bismarck preferred ‘blood and iron’ to
‘speeches and majority votes’ (liberalism), it showed that according to Bismarck, liberal
method (liberalism) was not effective in unifying Germany (nationalism). Therefore, in the
second period, 1848-70, it was clear that nationalism was much more stronger than
liberalism in Europe.
To conclude, the development of nationalism was quite strong in Europe. From 1815 to
1848, it was the period of sowing seeds. Thought most revolutions for nationalism were failed
at that time, the idea of nationalism was deeply rooted in Europe. Therefore, from 1849 to
70, it was the harvest period. The fruits of nationalism were shown elsewhere, such as Italian
Unification and German Unification. Yet, the cost of the strong influence of nationalism was
the development of liberalism which was given up by revolutionaries, especially during the
period 1849-70.