State, Nation, and Nationalism: A Historical Analysis
State, Nation, and Nationalism
The concepts of the French state and nation initially aligned but later diverged. Nation refers to a group of people sharing common traits like language, religion, and rights. A state is a political and administrative entity with laws and rules governing a specific territory. A multinational state contains different nations within its borders.
Protectionist policy aims to safeguard the domestic market. A market is any place where goods are exchanged. Duties are taxes imposed on goods crossing markets.
Unification of Italy and Germany
Italy and Germany sought statehood in 1871. Italy’s unification involved two approaches: the absolute monarchy, where a monarch conquers and unifies territories, and revolutionary nationalism, where people unite through national revolutions. Nationalism can aim to unite a nation across multiple states, create an independent nation-state, or achieve autonomy within a state.
Greece declared independence (1821-1829), driven by religious and national identity. Belgium gained independence from the Netherlands in 1830.
German Unification
Germany had two unification paths: Great-Germany, uniting all German-speaking regions, and Small-Germany, led by Prussia. Prussia’s economic strength and the Zollverein (customs union) facilitated unification.
Capitalism and Economic Power
Capitalism, based on economic power, became the driving force. Countries like England, with its strong market, were models for others.
Otto von Bismarck and the Second German Empire
In 1871, Otto von Bismarck unified Germany under Prussian leadership. He built a strong army and defeated Austria and France, leading to the creation of the Second German Empire. Switzerland remained neutral amidst these conflicts.
Capitalism spurred industrialization and social change. The bourgeoisie owned the means of production, while workers sold their labor for wages.
The labor movement and economic changes led to workers developing political views.
- Early labor movement: characterized by protests without clear objectives.
- Luddisme: involved destroying machines and factories.
Workers focused on:
- Association: forming unions for solidarity.
- Mutual Protection: creating funds for survival and support.
Associations of workers advocated for better working conditions and health. Utopian socialism sought social justice. The Haran strike, a refusal to work, was an early form of protest, but it was often unsustainable. These movements aimed for greater equality within capitalism.