Nationalism. The Consequences of the Napoleonic Wars

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1 Nationalism The Consequences of the Napoleonic Wars

2 What is Nationalism It is the country/state where you were born It is the language, history and culture you share with other people It s the values/beliefs that you feel you share with other people Whatever your passport says There are genuine unique characteristics between groups of people, mainly European???

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5 Nations, nation-states and Nationalism A Nation is a group of people...after that, it gets far more complex Language? Common geographic area? Common path of history? Religion? Culture (amorphous term I know ) If these elements are present in national groups, then what is it that is common to ALL NATIONS? What is the one element that is fundamental to the concept of nation? A sense of nation, of belonging or shared existence

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12 Nations, nation-states and Nationalism The legacy of the French Revolution is the birth of a shared experience of nation among the citizens of France- no longer people who lived in different regions 1792 France literally ceased to be the property of the French Monarchs- if not the property of the King, then who did France belong to? The People of France Other than France (and maybe Britain and Sweden), the idea of a nation-state was a new concept and odd

13 19th Century Nationalism Conglomerates of many nations - Russia, Austrian Empire Endlessly divided small territories (politically independent) but nationally similarthe Germanic States Foreign controlled political units over a nationality - The Italian states As Napoleon conquered Europe, he ironically ended up increasing the idea of nationalism and liberty within the states he ruled The key spark was the idea that nations should be in charge of their own affairs (Not French or Austrian or etc )

14 Nationalism and Democracy The desire for national and political independence that drove much of world history throughout the 19th and 20th century Also, one further ingredient- if the state is the property of those who identify themselves as a nation, then those people have a say in it actions Hence- the increased push for democracy in some shape or form

15 MazziniYoung Italy is a brotherhood of Italians who believe in a law of Progress and Duty, and are convinced that Italy is destined to become one nation, --that the secret of force lies in constancy and unity of effort. They join this association in the firm intent of consecrating both thought and action to the great aim of reconstituting Italy as one independent sovereign nation of free men and equals... Young Italy is Republican... Republican, --Because theoretically every nation is destined, by the law of God and humanity, to form a free and equal community of brothers; and the republican is the only form of government that insures this future...

16 Proof that Nationalism as a political or cultural concept was ignored?

17 Nationalism after 1815 Increased nationalism in Napoleon conquered territory did not immediately spark independence movements It first caught the imagination of academics and intellectuals and artists Examinations by academics of the essence of culture, expression of this essence by artists and applied in movements by intellectuals Best shown in the German States Most importantly is that these agents of history saw their particular national character as an intrinsic good and right- something to be preserved and promoted (uhoh...so there s where racism comes from...)

18 Napoleon as the Spark Practical advancements in nationalism were achieved through Napoleon s administrative changes to Europe Brought Italians politically together for the 1st time since Rome Reorganized the German states, not by Religion but by political units of German speakers (not the Holy Roman Empire) His motives were certainly not nationalistic (despite him publically saying so), yet his geo-political rearrangements helped kindle in the people a sense of uniqueness in their nationhood and national struggle After Napoleon/1815 nationalism represented a powerful threat to traditional authorities

19 Consolidate Why were nation-states created in the 19th century? Socio-economic factors- Industrial Revolution Cultural factors- sense of nation- Nationalism Political and military factors- War

20 Socio-economic factors- Industrial Revolution The necessary consequence of this was political centralisation. Independent or but loosely connected provinces, with separate interests, laws, governments, and system of taxation became lumped together into one nation, with one government, one code of laws, one national self-interest, one frontier and one customs tariff - Marx and Engels- The Communist Manifesto 1848

21 Cultural factors- sense of nation- Nationalism Young Italy, Young Ireland, Romantic/Nationalistic Art, The Brothers Grimm, Greek war of Independence, political expressions: Call all Prussians and Germans to fight the oppressor (Napoleon) - Frederick Wilhelm III

22 Political and military factors- War Since the treaties of Vienna, our frontiers have been ill-designed for a healthy body politic. Not through speeches and majority decisions will the great questions of the day be decided- that was the mistake of but by Blood and Iron - Otto von Bismarck (1986) The Crimean War- The Italian Question The War of Treaty of Villafranca, Danish-Prussian War, Austro-Prussian War, Franco-Prussian War, Brigands War (Italy)

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