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French revolution and European nationalism
Nationalism and its Triumph In Germany
French revolution and nationalism
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After the end of French Revolution, as the empires slowly diminished, countries wished to become independent and develop nation-states. Possibly one of the first nationalists was Johann Gottlieb Fichte, who attempted to urge Germans to be individual from people of other nation-states. Many years later, more people became interested in nationalism, some in more positive ways than others. Ernest Renan questioned the definition of an actual nation, and what constituted a nation. However, not everyone agreed with nationalism. John Acton strongly opposed nationalism and maintained that its primary goal was not freedom. Unfortunately, the negative connotations and slight misinterpretation of the works of each of the pro-nationalist authors gave rise to war, both the Great War and Second World War. Acton was right to oppose nationalism, as early thinkers such as Fichte, Mazzini and Renan gave unclear notions of nationalism, which contributed to misinterpretation of literary texts.
Fichte advocated for German nationalism, and in his “Addresses to the German Nation” of 1808, he insisted that Germans should act with a certain personality (of being German), “To have character and to be German undoubtedly mean the same” (63). This particular section of Fichte’s work is unique and interestingly unprecedented, as he is urging his fellow Germans to stand out and be recognized. He wanted to give them a sense of hope and even patriotism.
Primarily appearing rational and logical, asserting Germany’s independence from other nationalities, Fichte’s thoughts rapidly turn dark and unwelcoming when he describes the potential demise of Germany. Fichte stated that “we can avert the downfall of our nation which is being threatened by its fusion with fore...
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...the belief that foreigners were a hindrance to nationality and consequently the unification of Europe. As aforementioned, Acton was severely against the concept of nationalism. The question then becomes, what did nationalism lead to? It quickly led to war. Once certain phrases became apparent in society, such as “foreign contrivances” and “most intolerable of human beings”, they were bound to accelerate in severity. Many years later, Adolf Hitler contrived some of his arguments and beliefs from Fichte.
Fichte, Mazzini and Renan, all being nationalists, in their unclear and rather dissimilar descriptions of nationalism and what a nation-state should be, contributed to the misinterpretation of their texts. Acton was accurate in opposing nationalism, as it ultimately did not provide the liberty that each previous author had hoped for, but in great despair and warfare.
Hagen W (2012). ‘German History in Modern Times: Four Lives of the Nation’. Published by Cambridge University Press (13 Feb 2012)
The understanding of European politics during the latter half of the extended nineteenth century, particularly from 1848 onward to the First World War, is as much about the European political climate as a whole as it is about the key figures within this climate. For example, one cannot fully understand the multitude of independence and nationalist movements in the Balkans during this time without first understanding the outside pressures placed on these movements by the three competing empires of the Russians, Habsburgs, and Ottomans; and only then delving into the multitude of persons whom inspired the individual movements. Likewise, understanding the German situation at this time is just as much about the European picture as a whole, as it is about the people within the German system itself; of which, Otto von Bismarck is clearly the synonymous figure. With that said, it follows that a purely biographical approach to this turbulent time in German politics, focused on Bismarck, will leave one largely without the knowledge of the greater European situation; however, this same biographical approach also helps to understand the political interworking and personal relationships that forged a unified Germany, something that the study of the European climate as a whole fails to do.
Q6. Nationalism was both known as a unifying and a disunifying force, your opinion depended on your perspective and background knowledge of the topic. Nationalism could be seen as a uniting force by bringing those together who believed in a single "nationality," or ancestors. Those who believed that nationalism was a unifying force also refused to be loyal to a king or queen, but they did remain loyal to those whom shared a common bond. Naturally, there were other who had different beliefs towards the topic. There were people who believed of nationalism as a disunifying force die to the fact that it would disrupt their wants to restore the old order before the French Revolution.
The source conveys a standpoint that is in favour of nationalism by portraying its positive aspects through the French Revolution. The quote is citing that nationalism motivated the French middle class to take action, providing the opportunity to overthrow the dominating
Nationalism was expressed throughout the 1800s. These people came together through different ideas. Through these different ideas America came to be known as a stronger nation. The Second Great Awakening, the Industrial Revolution, and the Educational Reform, are all proof that effected nationalism in America.
Nationalism, genocide and internationalism are just some of the powerful words that are shown in the source. In World War One the lack of international law is said to be a reason for all the atrocities that were committed in the war and also a reason for why the war started in the first place. So by this we are to assume that internationalism would have helped the prevention of the war. But with that being the case why did a Second World War occur? Because of the fact that even with international law and communication we will always have people who refuse to see themselves as equals with other nations; these are the ultranationalists. Using the source as our guide for the views on nationalism, we are automatically to assume that if you are a nationalist (anyone who shows pride in their nation) you are a supporter of genocides and wars. When we look back in history it is easy to find places where “internationalism is to believe in peace…” But it is hard or rather borderline impossible to find times when “Nationalists… cause world wars and [are] supporters of genocide,” that is since they are not. Nationalists are purely people who honor their nation; it is the ultranationalists that originate the wars and that start the genocides. It is by using this information we can gather that the source has a fairly bias origin in assuming that nationalists start wars. Most of the time nationalists are forced into wars by the ultranationalists. This is why we should only accept the view in this source within certain parameters, for although internationalism supports and impetuses for peace and cooperation nationalists do not start wars.
The rise of European nationalism in the 19th Century brought with it an overabundance amount of change that would definitively modify the course of history. The rise of nationalism in one country would rouse greater nationalism in another, which would in turn, motivate even greater nationalism in the first, progressively intensifying the cycle that eventually concluded in a World War. Nationalism as an ideology produced international competition which inspired absolute allegiance to an individual’s nation state. The ideology was fueled by industrial commerce and imperialistic developments which led to nation-states pursuits of outcompeting rival nations.
Nationalism has a long history although most scholarly research on Nationalism only began in the mid-twentieth century. Some scholars point to the French Revolution of 1789 as the birth of Nationalism. The French Revolution is seen...
Nationalism was viewed in so many different ways by so many different leaders and society. Many conflicts and wars were a long term impact on Nationalism, but some conflicts were a small impact on Nationalism. The Frankfurt Constitution was written and published and also is a document of Germany History today. The article “On the Duties of Man”, by Giuseppe Mazzini and how the map of Europe was redrawn, which was a huge impact on Nationalism. Romanticism was another huge impact of Nationalism, with many changes that was made from artist and how their paintings became more realistic and how everyone had different views on artist’s painting.
One major effect of extreme nationalism is the genocide that occured in Europe during World War II. Throughout World War II different groups or races and religons were selected and executed in large number by the Nazi's. The Nazi's believed that they were superior to all races and no one desereved to live but them, the Aryan race.
The most important value of nationalism to democracy lies in the fact that it has the capacity to unite individual citizens into a single entity with shared beliefs. Democracy requires a definition of demos or who are included in the game and who are not (Nodia 6). Wherever the boundaries of the playing field are in dispute, democratic institutions (such as participation, representation, or cooperation) simply cannot function. Thus, for democracy to o...
Feuchtwanger, E. J. From Weimar to Hitler: Germany, 1918-33. New York: St. Martin's Press, 1993.
The rise of nationalism and its mark on the history of Europe was quite profound. The unification of major powers and the civil unrest on the journey to unification created a large chapter of history in the nineteenth century. By the 1900s the mark of nationalism had been left on Italy, Germany, France and Great Britain. The major European powers had come through great trials to set the stage for the twentieth century and the conflicts that will erupt. Nationalism will be remembered as a great period of change and growth.
Nationalism, the love and support of one's country, has always existed. In this era, however, it was to take part in the creation of one of the most famous wars in history. Since so much pride was devoted to countries, it made the possibilities of peace between past rivals less probable. It also meant that most nations, especially the great powers, would rather fight a war than back down from a rival's diplomatic provocation. In effect, nationalism was also a contributing factor to the alliance system. No country feels comfortable being in a war alone, and with the growing militaries in almost every country, allies provided much comfort.
One factor with somewhat minimal impact in the unification of Germany, however one still worthy of mentioning, was cultural cohesion and social change. During the nineteenth century the Romantic movement developed throughout Europe and in Germany it took the form of celebrating the German heritage and promoting cultural pride. Romantics such as Friedrich Ludwig Jahn glorified the rich history of the German peoples. Through literature and art romantics expressed the idea of Germany as “an organic folk community wrapped in a cloak of tradition” They strived to create a homogenous identity for all Germans. Another force with widespread social impac...