18th Century European Imperialism

During the early stages of Napoleon’s empire in Europe, much of the territories controlled by France and enemies of France resented French continental domination. Territories dreamed of independence from Napoleon’s rule, and they aspired to be unified as nations, even though Napoleon brought about great reform to conquered regions. During end of the eighteenth century, nationalism emerged as an ideology in which people of similar race, language, and religion identified with each other under a nation. However, as the most of Europe finally united into nation states while managing to secure their liberty and independence through reform in the mid 1800’s, another form of nationalism arose. By the influence of urbanization, industrialization, and

Soon, even nations under the Alliance: Britain, Austria, and Russia, saw their nationalist interests coincide with each other. These major clash of interests could be identified in a few simple words: territorial expansion/early imperialism. Such a case could be observed in the Crimean War (1853-1856), which forever altered the ideology of nationalism. Russia wanted to expand and conquer the Ottoman Empire despite claiming to not disturb the balance of power in Europe. Concerned with its own territories in the Balkans, Austria, long ally to Russia, decided not to aid the Russians, which broke their alliance. Britain, concerned about its commercial interests, and France, concerned with its new found nationalism in Napoleon III, then declared war on Russia. Nationalism here is morphed into a stunning approach nations use in regards to expanding their national interests. Strong nations such as Britain would identify a target nation (usually the one the enemy nation is fighting), and support that nation based on the pretense of helping it secure its “nationalist” interests. Although a noble ideal, most of these pretenses are used as gateways to interfere in another nation’s affairs, and secure some kind of privilege from that nation. The Crimean War completely blocked Russia’s attempt for territory and severed its control of Europe when allied

In fact, it was due to Britain’s early industrialization (1780-1850), leading the way in agricultural and clothe production, and extensive transportation advancements, over ten thousand miles of railroads (Hunt et al, 688), that it was able to stay prosperous. The simple fact that Britain possessed a working banking system also served to aid Britain economically. Britain’s early urbanization also allowed it to carry out socialist reforms in the city in regards to the sanitation and overcrowdedness. It must also be noted that Britain’s Whigs in parliament compromised multiple times in regards to suffrage, seen in the Reform Bill of 1832 and 1867. Since Britain was not defeated by France during the Napoleonic era, its constitutional monarchy and parliament was able to stay in tact. As a result, Britain had already passed the unify and reform stage, and entered into the imperial stage of nationalism much sooner than the rest of