Nationalism and Unification Beginnings of modern Europe Nationalism

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 Austriancontrolled 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

Legacy of Napoleon: A Review • The French Revolution left a powerful legacy for world history: secular society, nationalism, and democratic ideas. • Napoleon’s attempt to unify Europe under French domination was unsuccessful. • The Congress of Vienna attempted to restore Europe as it had been before the French Revolution and Napoleonic conquests.

Congress of Vienna • What: gathering of European leaders who were determined to fix Europe after 25 yrs of war • When: Sept 1814 to June 1815 • Where: Vienna, Austria • Why: peace, stability and order • How: establish a balance of power and protect the monarchy system

Congress of Vienna • Main leaders: each will want peace on his own terms – – • 1. 2. 3. Austria: Clemens von Metternich : against a unified Italian state Russia: Alexander I England: Lord Castlereagh France: Maurice Tallyrand Settlement: Surround France with strong countries Restore legitimate monarchs Create a peace keeping organization (Concert of Europe) 4. Agree to crush all Enlightenment inspired uprisings

Congress of Vienna • Significance: leaders will re-draw map of Europe without consideration of population interests – Languages, religions, cultures • Effects: leaders underestimate the power of NATIONALISM and give oppressed people incentive to REBEL • Increased NATIONALISM will lead to WAR by 1914

NATIONALISM • Textbook definition: it is the unique cultural identity of a people based on a common language, religion and national “cultural” symbols • “NATION”: does not always mean “Country with political boundaries”… • NATIONALISTS……think it should • NATIONALIST movements will want nations to have their own governments

NATIONALISM • Nationalists and their unification movements will serve as a threat to the existing political order – Italian Unification: 1850 -1870 (Cavour/Garibaldi) – German Unification: 1865 -1871 (Otto von Bismarck) – Other areas of concern: ANY multi-national empire!

Legacy of the Congress of Vienna • What was the significance of the Congress of Vienna? • “Balance of power” doctrine • Restoration of monarchies • New political map of Europe • New political philosophies (liberalism, conservatism)

Liberal vs. Conservative Ideas 1800 s LIBERAL • 1. Male property owners • 2. protect basic rights/property • 3. REPUBLIC (constitution and separation of powers) • 4. Laissez-faire • 5. Freedom of religion CONSERVATIVE 1. WHO should rule 2. Goal of Gov’t 3. FORM of Gov’t 4. Economy 5. Religion • • • 1. Monarch/nobles 2. stability and order 3. Monarchy 4. controlled by nobles 5. Established church

Impact of the Monroe Doctrine • After the American Revolution, the United States wished to prevent foreign interference in America. The Monroe Doctrine was issued in 1823, alerting European powers that the American continents should not be considered for any future colonization.

Impact of the Monroe Doctrine • The Monroe Doctrine was issued by President James Monroe in 1823. • Latin American nations were acknowledged to be independent. • The United States would regard as a threat to its own peace and safety any attempt by European powers to impose their system on any independent state in the Western Hemisphere.

Monroe Doctrine • At the time…it was just words. Teddy Roosevelt later issues the Roosevelt Corollary to put military power behind the warning