NATIONALISM, Explained [AP Euro Review—Unit 7 Topic 2]

Summary

In this video, Steve Heimler explores the rise of nationalism across 19th-century Europe, highlighting its impact on political boundaries and societal shifts. Nationalism emerged as a powerful force, driven by shared culture, language, and history, often glorified through Romanticism. Key figures like Napoleon III and Giuseppe Mazzini advocated for unification, while anti-Semitism and racialism, sparked by events like the Dreyfus Affair, illustrated the darker side of nationalism. Leaders such as Otto von Bismarck harnessed nationalism to unite Germany and stabilize empires, ultimately reshaping Europe’s political landscape and setting the stage for future conflicts.

Takeaways

• 😀 Nationalism in 19th-century Europe led to the creation of modern nation-states with defined borders.
• 😀 Nationalism is a strong sense of identity based on shared language, culture, and history.
• 😀 The idea of nation-states with clear borders only emerged during this period, not before.
• 😀 Romanticism, as seen in the works of the Grimm Brothers and Victor Hugo, helped foster national pride and unity.
• 😀 Liberal reforms, like those implemented by Napoleon III in France, boosted nationalism by improving the economy and expanding suffrage.
• 😀 Political unification movements, such as Giuseppe Mazzini's Young Italy, were key drivers in pushing for unified nation-states.
• 😀 Racialism, a negative side of nationalism, led to discriminatory ideas, such as anti-Semitism, which grew in the late 19th century.
• 😀 The Dreyfus Affair in France exemplified the rise of anti-Semitism, causing division and sparking a renewed wave of discrimination across Europe.
• 😀 In response to rising anti-Semitism, Theodor Herzl's Zionist movement called for the creation of a Jewish homeland in Palestine.
• 😀 Conservative leaders like Otto von Bismarck used nationalism strategically to unify Germany and strengthen their grip on power.
• 😀 Nationalism also led to the creation of Austria-Hungary's dual monarchy, which was designed to address rising Hungarian nationalism and stabilize the empire.

Q & A

What is nationalism, and how did it impact 19th-century Europe?

Nationalism is a feeling of strong identification with one's own people and cultural heritage, strengthened by shared history and language. In 19th-century Europe, nationalism led to the creation of nation-states, where people who shared culture and language demanded political independence and control over their land.

How did the idea of the nation-state emerge in 19th-century Europe?

The idea of the nation-state emerged during this period as a new way to organize political borders. Previously, borders were not defined by lines on maps but were drawn by powerful rulers. Nationalism transformed these regions into distinct entities based on shared culture, language, and governance.

What role did Romanticism play in the rise of nationalism?

Romanticism, through its glorification of national histories and cultural pasts, helped foster a sense of unity among people. Writers like the Grimm Brothers in Germany and Victor Hugo in France used literature to evoke emotions and strengthen national identities, contributing to the rise of nationalism.

How did liberal reforms contribute to the growth of nationalism?

Liberal reforms, like those instituted by Napoleon III in France, helped boost nationalism by promoting economic growth, universal male suffrage, and significant political changes. These reforms fostered national pride and loyalty to the state.

What was Giuseppe Mazzini's role in Italian unification?

Giuseppe Mazzini was a key figure in the movement for Italian unification. He founded Young Italy, a group dedicated to creating a unified Italian state. Although his uprisings were unsuccessful, his efforts laid the groundwork for later unification.

How did the rise of nationalism contribute to racialism in Europe?

Nationalism, which emphasized strong identification with one's people, sometimes led to racialism, the belief that one race is superior to others. In Eastern and Central Europe, this led to movements like pan-Slavism, while in other areas, it contributed to anti-Semitism and the marginalization of other groups.

What was the Dreyfus Affair, and how did it impact European anti-Semitism?

The Dreyfus Affair was a scandal in France in 1894, where a Jewish military officer, Alfred Dreyfus, was falsely accused of treason. The case exposed deep divisions in French society and revived anti-Semitic sentiments across Europe, highlighting the growing prejudice against Jewish people.

What was Zionism, and how did it respond to growing anti-Semitism?

Zionism was a nationalist movement advocating for the establishment of a Jewish homeland in Palestine. It arose in response to the growing anti-Semitism in Europe, particularly after events like the Dreyfus Affair, and was led by figures like Theodor Herzl.

How did Otto von Bismarck use nationalism to unify Germany?

Otto von Bismarck skillfully harnessed German nationalism to achieve the unification of Germany. As Prime Minister of Prussia, he used a series of carefully provoked wars to stir up nationalist sentiment among the German people, ultimately leading to the formation of the German Empire.

What was the dual monarchy of Austria-Hungary, and how did it relate to nationalism?

The dual monarchy of Austria-Hungary was a political compromise between Austria and Hungary after the Revolutions of 1848. It was a response to rising Hungarian nationalism, creating a dual state that recognized the cultural and political autonomy of both nations, though still under a single monarch.