Triumph of Nationalism and Imperialism in Europe
Triumph of Nationalism in Europe
The Dawn of Nationalism
In the Middle Ages and modern times, the word “nation” meant a group of people born in one place and under the power of the same monarch. From its origins, there were two different concepts of nationalism:
- The German Romantics advocated the cultural conception of the nation (for them, the nation is a living being, created in the course of time, with a common language and culture).
- The French posed a theoretical concept of national policy (the nation is formed by the voluntary decision of a group of persons).
States launched nationalization policies, and many peoples fought to form their own State (nationalist movements).
Nationalization Policy of the States
The States of the 19th century aimed at developing the national feeling and cohesion of their people, fostering patriotic pride. Education implemented the use of a national language. Traditions, flags, and hymns developed, becoming symbols of the country.
Divisive Nationalist Movements
Belgium seceded from the Netherlands in 1830 and became independent. The largest cases were the Austro-Hungarian Empire (which resisted throughout the 19th century) and the Turkish Empire (which fragmented throughout the century), consisting of diverse populations. In the 19th century, many of these groups sought independence. The first to separate from the Turks was Serbia in 1829, followed by Greece, Romania, Montenegro, Bulgaria, and Albania. In Ireland, an independence movement also emerged (1922), except for the north, which remained under British rule.
The Unification Movements: Italy and Germany
The Italian peninsula was divided into several states, such as the Lombardo-Veneto kingdom (under Austrian control). The unification process of Italy was led by a specific state. Economic cooperation mechanisms were established between the various German states (first half of the 19th century). Since 1862, King William I of Prussia and his Prime Minister Bismarck accelerated unification through military means. In 1871, the German Empire, the Second Reich, was born.
The Origins of European Imperialism
What is Imperialism?
The term imperialism involves the extension of the domain of one country over another. The country that conquers is the metropolis, and the colonies are the conquered territories. In the 16th and 17th centuries, Portugal and Spain had the largest empires. This expanded, especially in the 19th century.
The imperialist expansion of the 19th century had new protagonists: Britain and France were the major colonial powers. Other European countries (Germany, Italy, and Belgium) and extra-European powers (the US and Japan) also created empires. Spain lost Latin America and the Pacific. The expansion of the 19th century was rapid and total. The speed of conquests can be explained by the military superiority of the colonizing countries.
Reasons for Imperialist Expansion
The great potential for expansion had varied reasons:
Economics
With the increase in production that accompanied the Industrial Revolution, the colonies became markets where goods were sold without paying customs taxes. They were also spaces for investing capital through the construction of public improvements (railways). They offered cheap raw materials for industries.
Political Factors
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