19th Century European Nationalism: Italy, Germany, and Spain
Italy: From Disunity to Unification (1805-1871)
Following the fall of the Roman Empire in 476, Italy remained fragmented until the 19th century. The Congress of Vienna in 1815 further divided the region into seven states under different governments.
The Risorgimento: A Movement for Italian Unification
The Risorgimento, a period of revolutionary upheaval and nationalist sentiment, began in the early 19th century. Key events include:
- 1820: The Carbonari, a secret society of nationalist liberals, launched uprisings in Naples.
- 1848: Revolutions inspired by events in Spain and France further fueled the desire for unification.
- 1859: Count Camillo di Cavour, Prime Minister of Piedmont-Sardinia, allied with France to defeat Austria and expand Piedmont’s territory.
- 1860: Giuseppe Garibaldi and his Redshirts conquered Sicily and Naples, contributing to the unification effort.
- 1861: Victor Emmanuel II of Savoy was proclaimed King of Italy, establishing a constitutional monarchy.
- 1866: Veneto was incorporated into the Kingdom of Italy after Prussia defeated Austria.
- 1870: Italian forces captured Rome, completing the unification process and establishing Rome as the capital in 1871.
Germany: From Confederation to Empire (1815-1871)
After the Congress of Vienna, Germany was divided into 39 states. Prussia, a powerful and industrialized state, played a leading role in the unification process.
Steps Towards German Unification:
- 1834: The Zollverein, a customs union, promoted economic cooperation among German states.
- 1848: The Frankfurt Parliament attempted to establish a unified German state but ultimately failed.
- 1864: Prussia and Austria jointly defeated Denmark in a war over Schleswig and Holstein.
- 1866: The Austro-Prussian War resulted in Prussian dominance over northern Germany.
- 1871: The Franco-Prussian War led to the formation of the German Empire (Second Reich) under Kaiser Wilhelm I of Prussia.
Spain: From Absolutism to Liberalism (1793-1874)
Spain experienced a tumultuous period in the 19th century, marked by wars, revolutions, and political instability.
Key Events in 19th Century Spain:
- Napoleonic Wars (1808-1813): Spain fought against French occupation, leading to the adoption of the liberal Constitution of Cádiz in 1812.
- Reign of Ferdinand VII (1813-1833): Ferdinand VII restored absolutist rule, suppressing liberal movements.
- Reign of Isabella II (1833-1868): Isabella II’s reign was marked by civil wars, political instability, and gradual modernization.
- Six Revolutionary Years (1868-1874): Spain experimented with various forms of government, including a republic and a constitutional monarchy, before ultimately restoring the Bourbon dynasty.
Legacy of 19th Century Nationalism
The 19th century witnessed the rise of nationalism as a powerful force in Europe. The unification of Italy and Germany, along with the political transformations in Spain, reshaped the continent’s political landscape and laid the groundwork for future conflicts and alliances.