The Rise of Nationalism in Europe Class 10 History Part -1 - English Abaca
The Rise of Nationalism in Europe Class 10 History
Chapter Title: The Rise of Nationalism in Europe
Section 1 Events and Processes
Today, we all live in a democratic nation and believe in nationalism. But do we know the meaning of nationalism? From where did this concept come into existence? How it is related to Europe and what was the dream of the Europeans? All this will be answered in this chapter.
During the nineteenth-century nationalism grew as a strong force that brought various political changes in Europe. The final result of these changes was the coming up of the nation-state in place of the multinational dynastic empires of Europe.
1. The French Revolution and the idea of the Nation
French Revolution (1789-1799):
The French Revolution played a crucial role in inspiring nationalist sentiments across Europe. It emphasized the ideas of liberty, equality, and fraternity. It was France from where the concept of nationalism came into existence for the first time, with the French Revolution in 1789. Before this, France was a territorial state.This means that it was ruled by an absolute monarchy. The word absolute means a rule where the whole power is concentrated in the hands of a ruler or a monarch. The French revolution brought the concept of nation and nationalism in France.
The main aim was to form a nation where there will be a united community enjoying equal rights under a constitution.
The Rise of Nationalism in Europe Video Explanation
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For this the French revolutionaries introduced various measures and practices that could create a sense of collective identity among the French citizens. Some of the measures taken by the revolutionaries are as follows:
The royal flag was replaced by a new tricolor flag.
The Estates-General was elected by the body of active citizens and renamed the National Assembly.
New hymns were composed, oaths were taken and martyrs commemorated, all in the name of the nation.
A centralized administrative system was put in place.
Uniform laws for all citizens were formulated.
Internal customs duties and dues were abolished.
A Uniform system of weights and measures was adopted.
French was considered as a common language of the nation.
Not only this, the French revolutionaries made it their mission to spread the idea of nationalism and to help Europeans liberate themselves from dictatorship.
Setting up of Jacobin Clubs
Soon the news about French revolution spread to various cities of Europe, students and other members of educated middle classes began setting up Jacobin clubs. Jacobins were those revolutionaries who aimed to establish a republic in their country by ending the King’s rule. The activities and campaigns of these clubs allowed the French armies to move into Holland, Belgium, Switzerland and much of Italy in the 1790s.
napoleon
Rule of Napoleon (1804-1815)
Napoleon was a French statesman and military leader who came to power in France. He led many successful campaigns during the French Revolutionary War and was able to conquer vast parts of Europe.
He introduced many reforms in the areas under his control. Napoleon, after coming into power had destroyed democracy in France, but in an administrative field he had incorporated revolutionary principles in order to make the whole system more logical and efficient. One of the important reforms introduced by him was the introduction of Civil Code of 1804 or the Napoleonic code. Following were the features of this code:
Equality before the law was established.
Feudal system was abolished.
Right to property was given.
Abolished all privileges based on birth.
Serfdom and manorial dues were abolished.
Transport and communication systems were improved
This code was introduced in Dutch Republic, Switzerland, Italy and Germany. Peasants, artisans, workers and new businessmen were happy with the new found freedom. The uniform laws, standardized weights and measures and a common national currency were welcomed by the businessmen and small-scale goods producers as this had facilitated the movement and exchange of goods and capital from one region to another.
In the beginning everything seemed good. French armies were welcomed in many places such as Holland, Switzerland, Brussels, Mainz, Milan and Warsaw but soon they turned hostile towards them as the French armies were oppressing them. There were some other reasons also behind their dislike of French army which are as follows:
Increase in taxation, censorship
Forced enlistment of common people to the French army in order to fulfill the aim of conquering the rest of Europe etc.
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