Nationalism and Unification

Beginnings of modern Europe

Nationalism

• The rise of nationalism was a powerful force behind European politics during the nineteenth century.

• Widespread demands for political rights led to revolutions and legislative actions in Europe.

• How did nationalism and democracy influence national revolutions?

• Nationalism – The belief that people should be loyal mainly to their nation – that is, to the people with whom they share a culture and a history, rather than to a king or ruler.

Nationalism and Democratic influence

• National pride, economic competition, and democratic ideals stimulated the growth of nationalism.

• The terms of the Congress of Vienna led to widespread discontent in Europe, especially in Italy and the German states. Unsuccessful revolutions of 1848 increased nationalistic tensions.

Nationalism: A Force for Unity or Disunity

• Two Views of Nationalism– Nationalists use their common bonds to build

nation-states– Rulers eventually use nationalism to unify their

subjects– Three different types of nationalist movements:• unification merges culturally similar lands• separation splits off culturally distinct groups• state-building binds separate cultures into one

Nationalism and Democratic influence

• In contrast to continental Europe, the United Kingdom expanded political rights through legislative means and made slavery illegal in the British Empire.

Case Study: Italy

• Cavour Leads Italian Unification(Northern Italy)– Camillo di Cavour—

prime minister of the Kingdom of Sardinia in 1852

– Gets French help to win control of Austrian-controlled Italian land

Case Study: Italy• Garibaldi Brings Unity

– Giuseppe Garibaldi—leads nationalists who conquer southern Italy

– Cavour convinces Garibaldi to unite southern Italy with Sardinia

– Garibaldi steps aside, allowing the king of Sardinia to rule

– Control of Venetia and Papal States finally unites Italy

Unification of Italy

• What events led to the unification of Italy?

• Count Cavour unified northern Italy.• Giuseppe Garibaldi joined southern Italy to

northern Italy.• The Papal States (including Rome) became the

last to join Italy.

Italian Unification 1850-1870

Count Cavour

Case Study: Germany

• Bismarck Unites Germany– Beginning in 1815, thirty-nine German states form

the German Confederation• Prussia Leads German Unification– Prussia has advantages that help it to unify

Germany• mainly German population• powerful army• creation of liberal constitution

Case Study: Germany

• Bismarck Takes Control– Junkers—conservative wealthy

landowners—support Prussian Wilhelm I

– Junker realpolitik master Otto von Bismarck becomes prime minister

– Realpolitik—power politics without room for idealism

– Bismarck defies Prussian parliament

Unification of Germany

• What role did Otto von Bismarck play in the unification of Germany?

• Otto van Bismarck led Prussia in the unification of Germany through war and by appealing to nationalist feelings.

• Bismarck’s actions were seen as an example of Realpolitik, which justifies all means to achieve and hold power.

• The Franco-Prussian War led to the creation of the German state.

Case Study: Germany

• The Franco-Prussian War– Bismarck provokes war with France to unite all

Germans– Wilhelm is crowned Kaiser—emperor of a united

Germany—at Versailles– Bismarck creates a Germany united under

Prussian dominance.

Realpolitik: means….“Do whatever it takes to git ‘er done!”

“You must have read my book!”

A Shift in Power• Balance Is Lost– In 1815 the Congress of Vienna established five powers in

Europe:• Austria• Prussia• Britain• France• Russia

– By 1871, Britain and Prussia (now Germany) have gained much power

– Austria and Russia are weaker militarily and economically