Essay Example on Nationalism: The Building Blocks of Modern States

Introduction

Nearly all the current states were developed as a result of nationalism. This defines nationalism further as the interests of a particular nation that include the political, social and economic perspectives that are geared towards achieving and maintaining the nation. Thus all nations worldwide had to be developed as a result of some level of nationalism. Europe was the major part that nationalism was widely spread during the 19th Century. It was the time that states developed from the monarchical leadership as well as the control of the Ottoman Empire and Russia. It was at this time that countries such as Germany and Italy got their independence. It was through the presence of such nationalism that the people saw the need for self-power on self-ruling. In its current state, nationalism in modern Europe was brought into existence in the 19th century. It was a time when the nations began to rise in small groups to attain state ambitions (Ziblatt 8). Beginning from the French revolution that was an inspiring factor to the whole of Europe. It succeeded as a result of spreading ideas such as freedom, fairness, and fraternity which in turn generated the nationalist spirit. The years between 1830 and 1850, there were many revolts all over the whole of Europe. Even though many of these revolts did not succeed a few succeeded and they became the basis of independence to many states in Europe. Those that did not succeed learned the tactics used by the colleagues that won.

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The Italian Revolution

The reign of Napoleon ran for several years, during his reign. Several revolts were aimed at removing such kind of leadership. This was inspired by the already ongoing revolt that was taking place in the whole of Europe. The reign ended in 1815 that led to the introduction of something new. The journey to nationalism that would eventually lead to independence and self-governance began. During the Congress of Vienna that was aimed at the redistribution of territories that were in French occupation. During this time the ideas relating to democracy were being discussed, and those who had made and signed the Vienna settlement were against it, but this did not stop the spirit of the rising nationalism and ideas of democracy.

The reign of Napoleon had ensured that Italy was subdivided into smaller kingdoms for an easy ruling but was unified by his conquest under one solitary leadership. The Italians soon became aware of the principles associated with liberty and nationalism; therefore they were in dire need of their representation and national oneness. This took a long time, and by the end the people were successful. The main problem faced by the nationalists of Italy was the fact that the rulers of the subdivided states seemed able and were all against the nationalism, therefore, giving an insight to the people about the need to become one was a problem this is what made the process take a little longer. But at last, they were able to succeed. This was mainly triggered by the success of the neighboring countries who resorted to Nationalism and were already progressing well. The people here also wanted to gain the same and therefore had to find a way to reunite through tough leadership and a strong revolutionist with the spirit of nationalism and this they managed to get the intended results in the end.

By the year the 1820s, there were several nationalists already; the most remarkable of them was Giuseppe Mazzini. He had the intention liberate Italy from Austria that was occupying most of its territory at the moment. Through the power of the captivating Ancient Rome Mazzini got the insight to unite Italy and label it as the Third Rome. The thought of having a peaceful and prosperous one state that could become self-sustaining such as the ancient Rome was the main motivating factor for Mazzini's need for revolution and nationalism. Nationalism did not stop even after Mazzini many rose to uphold the power of nationalism and by 1848, those who supported nationalism were from all the political fields. During this time the revolutions that took pace led to the resulting of the development of the Italian nationalist associations. Daniel Manin together with Giorgio Pallevicino was responsible for the development and liberalization to the press laws this was in the year 1848 (Ziblatt 13).

The German Revolution

The revolution and reunification of Germany took place between the years 1851 to 1870. The events that took place during this short time were life-changing they were history recording events. It was during this time that the name of Otto Von Bismarck had to be in the books of history. Just like the neighbor Italy, German revolution and nationalism are the most studied; this is because the power used to reunify the countries still puzzles many. The country had been shattered into several regions, and it needed great revolutionists and nationalists to take back their territories into one. The power that was used was mainly realpolitik skills. There was also a competition with Austria for the dominance of some states. It was trough Bismarck's effort to recognize the Prussian army. He helped train the in the year 1862; this would help them get ready for the coming wars. There had to be a strong leader to fight and increase their border. Due to his convincing power, Bismarck was able to convince Austria to ally to help him fight Denmark to get the western part of Holstein and Schleswig. This was part of the steps taken to reunify Germany.

Later Germany would come into conflict with their allies the Austrians and end in a long battle that lasted for more than six weeks. In the end, the Austrian army gave in to the Prussian army bordering territories were hence taken by the Prussia and this led to Austria pulling away from all the treaties it had signed with Germany. Similar to Italy there was a problem of bringing the different regions together and therefore had a major role in doing so. By then German was made up of several states with Prussia becoming the dominant amongst the rest because it was larger than the others. This led to Germany becoming an independent one state in 1871. But before the 1871 Germany was made up of several states with Language becoming the only unifying factor that they shared. The spirit of nationalism was also hovering within the people. It was only waiting for the opportune time and the energy to propel it towards sending Germany into one state. The unity that came during wars such as the Prussian Denmark war was what brought the German states together. The fact that the Prussian states war larger and more populated that the rest did not stop the smaller states from fighting for unity with the other states and ta last the states came together through the help of Bismarck. Realpolitik became the driving factor that gave the nationalists the power to push on. Realpolitik based its mode of thinking on the reality and practicality of the situation rather than many politics, ideologies, and philosophies.

There was a need to bring balance in power between the German states. The need arose because if one state became much stronger than the others when combined, then there was a chance to challenge a conquest to the others and hence rule over them. By this time their main threat of the above was the Prussia state that resided in the eastern part of Germany. They were skilled in the military and were as well conservative. This made the other states fear that in case that Prussia decides to challenge them they might win. But the combined strength of the other states put fear into them and they feared the event of the defeat by the other states. The fear kept Germany together and hence instead of fighting themselves, they decided to fight for the common good of the whole region in this instance the unification of all the states.

The Political Context of Germany and Italy before the nationalism

Before nationalism began the economy of Germany was gaining industrial breakthrough especially during the 1850s. During this time the industrial revolution was taking in the whole of Europe and countries were spending a lot in developing these industries as well as fighting ways that would lead to nationalism and political breakthrough as well. The number of the people in the urban centers continued to increase tremendously and even though the rural population was more numerous than the population in the urban center's industrialization was unavoidable it was a must that at one point the urban would develop (Boltho, Andrea, and Pasquale 310). These were the conditions of that time that took place that was to ensure that nationalism would be achieved in one way or another.

The Italian side was similar too, and the only difference was that the people had been divided after the death of Napoleon and hence marking the end of his reign. There was a certain level of laxity are confusion, but the uprising was inevitable. The people were still in fear, but the word kept spreading throughout the land. This gave the nationalist time to do an underground undetected incitement that would explode later and when it did no one could stop. The other feature that was present at large during this time was that of formation, so alliances between countries, some of the alliances included the one between the Prussian state and Austria who teamed up to fight Denmark (Boltho, Andrea, and Pasquale 310). The type of alliances depended on whether the other country was to benefit in one way or another.

The role of industrialism, internationalism, and enlightenment thinking

The above features were responsible for much change that later came to take effect in the two countries and the revolution and nationalism in the whole of Europe. By the time revolution was taking place the above features were too at large.

Industrialization

This is the development of a country based on the growth of the economy through industrial growth. The development that took place in Italy and Germany served essential factors in the fight for nationalism. To begin with, it enabled people from different states to meet in search of employment. From here people would interact share ideas and views on the state of their nation. This made them know that the problems they had were similar irrespective of the background. Brought about the energy needed to propel the need for nationalism. At the same time, industrialization led to increased economic stability, and therefore there were resources to fund wars that were fought frequently.

Industrialization was another driving factor that proved to be powerful in enhancing nationalism because it is through industrialization that the armies would manage to get arms for wars. In the Franco-Prussian war, a total of fifteen thousand guns are reported to have been used. Without industrialization, such arms would not have been obtained if it was not for the aggressive industry to develop arms for war.

Lastly, industrialization was proving to be the new powerful toll the more industrialized a country was the more the power it had. And it would be useless for a country to flourish well when all the power owned by that country was divided into regions and states. This is what encouraged the reunification of Germany and Italy to form countries that would help enhance nationalism at last.

Internationalism

Unlike industrialization, internationalism did not add much close influential power to the countries that need to become republics. However, there was external pressure and competition between the countries. Each did not to be left behind; therefore, the moment the word spread that nationalism was the key to freedom. This is what made the states want to come together to ensure they also say in it. The more the country became a nationalist state, the more it was able to become influenti...