The Emergence of the Modern Nation-State
Both romanticism and industrialization found their support in the nation state
Romanticism tended to idealize the nation as the homeland of a common view of humanity
Industrialization depended upon centralized authority and commonality of purpose in order to develop
As a result, nationalism became the new “religion” of the age
Nationalism is a potent ideological force. It can be used to unite people behind a common cause or to lead them to persecute others
Today we take the idea of nationalism for granted. But the concept of belonging to a particular nation and the desire for the independence of that nation are relatively new phenomena
People have long had a sense of cultural unity. That unity has been based on common language, religion, history, customs, manners, art, and folklore
Political nationalism began to develop when rulers extended these sentiments to developing nation states. But it was not until the French Revolution that the fate of the individual came to be associated with the survival of the state
Identification of individual freedom with state freedom made nationalism a potent revolutionary force as it created the desire to make cultural nationalism a political reality
The beginning of Nationalist Revolt
Germany: The first signs of nationalist revolt occurred in the German universities. A student fraternity called the Burschenschaft held a large rally in favour of national unity at Wartburg. Austrian chancellor Prince Klements grasped the opportunity to arouse the fears of revolution among the members of the German diet. He was thus able to manipulate them into supporting the suppression of such demonstrations of liberalism and nationalism. The Carlsbad Decrees was introduced in 1819 effectively supressed anxiety for national unity and self-determination in the German Confederation until 1848.
Spain: In 1820, the revolution broke out in Spain, forcing Ferdinand VII (1784-1833) to adopt a liberal constitution. Although the revolt was supressed by French troops in 1822 after the nations at the congress of Verona agreed to help Ferdinand re-establish his rule, the relative ease of the Spanish rebellion inspired similar revolts. These were supressed with brutal force by the Austrians, who were supported by Russia and Prussia at the congress of Troppau. However, Metternich was unable to secure British and French