CBSE Class 10 History
Chapter 1: The Rise of Nationalism in Europe
Loading Ch01-The Rise of Nationalism in Europe (Pratap Sanjay Sir) Document...
If the PDF viewer shows a blank box or permission request, please ensure your browser allows third-party cookies for Google Drive preview, or simply use the Direct Google Drive Link or Download Link.
The Rise of Nationalism in Europe
Master key concepts, Frederic Sorrieu’s vision, Napoleonic Code, Italian & German Unifications, Allegories, and the Balkans with structured NCERT notes, interactive flashcards, and board-level MCQs & subjective questions.
Frédéric Sorrieu & His Vision of Society
In 1848, Frédéric Sorrieu, a French artist, prepared a series of four prints visualizing his dream of a world made up of ‘democratic and social Republics’.
- The First Print: Shows the peoples of Europe and America (men and women of all ages and social classes) marching in a long train, offering homage to the Statue of Liberty as they pass by it.
- Personification of Liberty: Female figure carrying the Torch of Enlightenment in one hand and the Charter of the Rights of Man in the other.
- Shattered Symbols: On the earth in the foreground lie the shattered remains of the symbols of absolutist institutions.
- Utopian Vision: Sorrieu grouped the peoples of the world into distinct nations, identified through their flags and national costume. Leading the procession were the United States and Switzerland (already nation-states), followed by France, Germany, Austria, Kingdom of the Two Sicilies, Lombardy, Poland, England, Ireland, Hungary, and Russia.
- Heavenly Blessing: From the heavens above, Christ, saints, and angels gaze upon the scene, symbolizing fraternity among the nations of the world.
The French Revolution and the Idea of the Nation
The French Revolution of 1789 was the first clear expression of nationalism. It led to the transfer of sovereignty from an absolute monarch to a body of French citizens.
Steps Taken by French Revolutionaries to Create Collective Identity:
- Ideas of la patrie (the fatherland) and le citoyen (the citizen) emphasized a united community enjoying equal rights under a constitution.
- A new French flag, the tricolor, was chosen to replace the former royal standard.
- The Estates General was elected by active citizens and renamed the National Assembly.
- New hymns were composed, oaths taken, and martyrs commemorated, all in the name of the nation.
- A centralized administrative system formulated uniform laws for all citizens.
- Internal custom duties and dues were abolished, and a uniform system of weights and measures was adopted.
- Regional dialects were discouraged, and French became the common language of the nation.
Napoleon & Civil Code of 1804 (Napoleonic Code):
• Did away with all privileges based on birth.
• Established equality before the law and secured the right to property.
• Abolished the feudal system and freed peasants from serfdom and manorial dues.
• Simplified administrative divisions, removed guild restrictions in towns, improved transport and communication.
• Drawbacks: Increased taxation, strict censorship, and forced conscription into French armies to conquer Europe.
Liberal Nationalism & Conservatism After 1815
Liberal Nationalism
• Political Sphere: Stood for freedom for the individual, equality before the law, government by consent, end of autocracy & clerical privileges, a constitution, and representative government.
• Economic Sphere: Stood for freedom of markets and abolition of state-imposed restrictions on movement of goods and capital.
• Zollverein (1834): A customs union formed at the initiative of Prussia. It abolished tariff barriers and reduced the number of currencies from over thirty to two.
Conservatism & Treaty of Vienna (1815)
• Following the defeat of Napoleon in 1815 (Battle of Waterloo), European governments were driven by conservatism (preservation of monarchy, church, social hierarchies, property).
• Treaty of Vienna (1815): Hosted by Austrian Chancellor Duke Metternich.
• Bourbon dynasty restored to power in France.
• Boundaries fixed around France to prevent future expansion.
• German confederation of 39 states created by Napoleon was left untouched.
The Unification of Germany & Italy
🇩🇪 Unification of Germany (1866–1871)
- Nationalist feelings were widespread among middle-class Germans, who tried to unite the 39 states in 1848 through the Frankfurt Parliament (rejected by King Friedrich Wilhelm IV of Prussia).
- Prussia took leadership under Chief Minister Otto von Bismarck (the architect of German unification using the policy of "Blood and Iron").
- Three wars over seven years with Denmark, Austria, and France ended in Prussian victory.
- In January 1871, Prussian King Kaiser William I was proclaimed German Emperor at the Hall of Mirrors in Versailles.
🇮🇹 Unification of Italy (1859–1870)
- Italy was divided into 7 states. Only Sardinia-Piedmont was ruled by an Italian princely house under King Victor Emmanuel II.
- Giuseppe Mazzini: Formed secret societies (Young Italy, Young Europe) to promote a unitary Italian Republic.
- Count Cavour: Chief Minister who forged a tactful diplomatic alliance with France to defeat Austrian forces in 1859.
- Giuseppe Garibaldi: Led the famous "Expedition of the Thousand" (Red Shirts) into South Italy and Kingdom of the Two Sicilies, securing peasant support.
- In 1861, Victor Emmanuel II was proclaimed King of United Italy.
The Strange Case of Britain & Allegories
Unlike France or Germany, the formation of the nation-state in Britain was not the result of a sudden revolution, but of a long-drawn-out parliamentary process.
Act of Union (1707):
Between England and Scotland resulted in the formation of the 'United Kingdom of Great Britain'. Scottish culture and language were systematically suppressed.
Incorporation of Ireland (1801):
Ireland was deeply divided between Catholics and Protestants. British supported Protestants. After a failed revolt by Wolfe Tone (1798), Ireland was forcibly incorporated into the UK in 1801.
Nationalism and Imperialism: The Balkan Crisis
By the last quarter of the 19th century, nationalism lost its idealistic liberal-democratic sentiment and became a narrow creed with limited ends.
Why were the Balkans explosive?
- The Balkans was a region of geographical and ethnic variation comprising modern-day Romania, Bulgaria, Albania, Greece, Macedonia, Croatia, Bosnia-Herzegovina, Slovenia, Serbia, and Montenegro (inhabitants called Slavs).
- A large part was under the control of the Ottoman Empire.
- Spread of romantic nationalism and disintegration of Ottoman Empire made it extremely explosive.
- Each Balkan state fought fiercely to expand its territory at the expense of others.
- Intense rivalry among European Powers (Russia, Germany, England, Austria-Hungary) over trade, colonies, and military power led directly to the First World War in 1914.
