Question

describe the rise of nationalism, especially in countries such as Germany and Italy

Answer 1

In its modern sense, European nationalism was born out of a Community's desire to assert its unity and freedom. A concerted struggle for fulfillment of nationalist ideals started in the 19th century.

Nationalism is a sense of pride to one's country. After the triumph of the Prussian Empire against the Austrian Empire, there was a drive for the unification of the 39 German states left over from the Holy Roman Empire. All 39 of these states have spoken common German dialects which would aid in the process of unification. These German states' unification leads to an increase in Protestant beliefs.

The emergence of the Romantic Period was one of the most powerful ways of changing the society. Especially with The Grimm Brothers, Beethoven, and Franz Brentano's dark and emotional works, it was popular to side with your gut instinct, rather than logic. While English Romanticism that focuses on the intensity of deep emotion, the German variety is known to appreciate humor and wit, as well as elegance.

Under Prussian leadership the unification of Germany in 1871 led to the strengthening of Protestantism. By establishing and leading an anti-Roman Catholic Movement called the Kulturkampf, Otto Von Bismarek tried to undermine the Roman Catholic influence.

The Austrian Empire consisted of many kingdoms populated by various races, which spoke different languages and had diverse cultures. In Austria there were the Germans, in Bohemia the Czechs, in Hungary the Magyars, in Galicia the Poles, in Lombardy and Venice the Italians and in south-eastern Austria the Slavs. All these peoples had become conscious of their national unity and formed ambitions at national level.

Italy had been divided into small principalities and kingdoms. Napoleon had put the world under a single administrative entity through his conquests. The Italians imbibed the revolutionary ideals of independence and nationalism and became aware of the need for their own incorporation into the society.

The failure of the 1848 movement made it clear to Cavour that Italian unification can only be achieved with the help of strong powers such as Austria and France. Cavour gained France's goodwill as the Sardinian army joined in support of France in the Crimean War.Finally, Austria ceded Veneto to Italy in 1866, after the Prussian War had weakened Austria. In 1870, when Prussia invaded France, Rome was occupied by the Italian Army. Italy's unification had been complete; Rome became the capital of unified Italy.