Nationalism / Overview
Aim: How did Nationalism effect Europe & India?
Do Now: Take a quiz. You have 10 Minutes
Lesson Overview:
| Item | Approx Time |
| Do Now | 3-5 Min |
| Mini Lesson | 15-20 Min |
| Activity | 15 Min |
| Discussion | 5-7 Min |
Nationalism Overview
Nationalism and the Nation State
Nationalism is commonly defined as a love for one's country. Historically, however, nationalism takes on a far greater meaning. Throughout history, large groups of people who share a cultural identity (language, customs, history) have felt the pulling power of nationalistic feeling. The spirit of nationalism also includes the belief that one's nation is better off as an autonomous state. Autonomy is defined as a nation governing itself independently from a centralized point. Still another aspect of nationalism is the willingness to go to extreme measures in achieving autonomous self-rule. Revolutions, wars, ethnic tension, and other conflicts of varying degrees have occurred throughout history because of a love for one's country. The spirit of nationalism has shaped the histories and destinies of many countries. Nationalism can unite people into cohesive, stable nations. Likewise, it can tear nations apart which can result in long periods of social upheaval and political chaos.
Background
Nationalism in Europe can be traced back to the decline of feudalism and the beginning of the Renaissance. Feudalistic societies are decentralized, meaning political control is spread out and does not come from one strong, stable place. When feudalism declined, larger areas of land were being controlled by fewer, more powerful individuals. A good example of nationalism supporting the rise of a single person is the case of Elizabeth I (shown here) and the nation-state of England. England had previously played a role in the Protestant Reformation when Henry VIII broke away from the Roman Catholic Church to form his own Church of England. The Church, during the days of feudalism, was the one unifying factor for European people. When the power of the Church receded during the Renaissance, people became aware of similarities and interests beyond religion. Elizabeth I was seen as a symbol of English pride. England became a nation-state governing itself, not a disjointed group of feudal states paying homage to the Catholic Church centered in far-away Italy. Nation-states with strong individual rulers became predominant in Europe. Rulers such as Louis XIV in France governed large nations with absolute power. European people, in general, no longer saw themselves individually as (for example) Bavarian, Bohemian, or Prussian, they saw themselves as German.
The Big Picture
The Renaissance in Europe fostered new political ideas and a reshaping of nation-states emerging out of the feudal period of the Middle Ages. Political revolutions occurred, causing tremendous impact on subsequent revolutions, and result in ousting leaders and new governments. Many European nations experienced heightened periods of nationalism in the 19th century and were either unified by it or divided into ethnic groups. The European nations that experienced unification because of nationalism eventually enter into a period of imperialism where they politically, socially, and economically take over weaker nations in Asia, Africa, the Middle East, and Latin America. Still later in the 20th century, these imperialized countries experienced nationalistic movements aimed at removing European imperial influences in order to establish their own autonomous states. Therefore, the tide of nationalism has been washing through history for roughly 500 years, making direct correlations between yesterday and today.
German Unification
The Unification of Germany
Germany, during the Metternich Age, was also fragmented. For many of the same reasons, there was a nationalistic movement calling for the unification of Germany. Many felt that to be considered a legitimate nation with political power on the international scene, Germany would have to have autonomous sovereignty. Of all the German states, Prussia was the most powerful, dominating the other, smaller states. Prussia was ruled by Kaiser Wilhelm, however, the person with the most power was Prime Minister Otto von Bismarck.
It was Bismarck who strengthened German unity and power by calling on the nationalistic tendencies of the German people. Bismarck was able to unite Germany through his policy of Realpolitik, or realistic politics, which is a Machiavellian "end justifies the means" approach to strengthening and uniting Germany. Bismarck was a strong proponent of "Blood and Iron". Blood represented the sacrifices the German people would have to make in achieving the goal of unification. A culture of militarism, or the glorification of the military, was created by the crafty Bismarck. This played out in a series of wars against the Austrians and the French. Iron represented the need to industrialize. Bismarck saw that in order to be a world power, Germany would have to catch up with much of the rest of Europe in the areas of technology and factory production. In 1871, Bismarck succeeded in placing Wilhelm on the throne of a unified Germany. German power achieved through nationalism would foster a period of imperialization and would set the stage for the outbreak of World War I.
Italian Unification
The Unification of Italy
The political structure of the Italian peninsula prior to 1861 was that of a fragmented group of small kingdoms and principalities. There was no political cohesion while internal fighting and rivalries were hampering any progress. However, the people of the Italian peninsula, shared language, culture and a historical background. Some Italian leaders began calling for nationalism with the goal of bringing Italy together into a sovereign nation-state with autonomous rule.
The most famous of Italian nationalistic leaders were Count Camilo Cavour, Guiseppe Garibaldi, and Guiseppe Mazzini. Mazzini was instrumental in being the "Heart" of Italian nationalism. He also established the secret society known as Young Italy, an organization devoted to a united Italy. Garibaldi was considered to be the "sword" of Italian nationalism. His band of Red Shirts conquered forces opposed to unification and forced southern Italy into a cohesive political unit. Cavour (shown here) was the "brain" in his role as a skilled diplomat. Cavour successfully received aid from France in a war against the Austrians and eventually put Victor Emmanuel II on the throne of a completely united Italian nation-state in 1861.
Indian Nationalism
Imperialism Sparks Nationalism in Asia
Nationalistic movements in Asia are similar to those in Europe. The goals of autonomy (Independent rule) and self-rule are the same. Circumstances that led to the unification or the division of a place are alike. The catalysts for nationalism are, however, slightly different. Both are based on the corruption or ineffectiveness of a government on its subjects, but the sources are different. European abuse of power came from within (French kings over French people or disunity in Germany are examples). Asian nationalistic movements for independence are a direct reaction to imperialism. European nations were in a period of imperialization, or the taking over of another country for political, social, and/or economic gain. In this case, the Asian countries of China, Vietnam, and India had experienced long periods of imperialism at the hands of European authorities. As imperialism progressed, nationalistic movements rose up in an attempt to throw out foreign influence and gain independence.
British East India Company
During the 1700s, a joint-stock company called the British East India Company was chartered by Queen Elizabeth I of England. The company’s main objective was to make a profit for shareholders by exploiting the abundant natural resources and gaining access to the markets in India. Do you remember the Boston Tea Party? It was the taxes on tea from the British East India Company that allowed colonialists in the British American colonies a chance voice their opposition to British rule and "taxation without representation".
To do this, the British East India Company successfully used “divide and conquer” tactics to increase their control over entire regions of the Indian subcontinent. This strategy entailed fanning the flames of religious division between native Muslim and Hindu groups, and taking advantage of the political rivalries that existed between local native rulers.
By the 1830s, the British government had taken over control of the East India Company. Under British rule, native customs such as sati, the ritual suicide of a wife after her husband’s death, were banned. The British built schools and railroads, and missionaries spread Christianity.
Sepoy Mutiny
By 1857 the British army in India included a large number of Indian soldiers, or Sepoys. The rifle cartridges that were distributed to the Sepoys had to be bitten to remove a cover before being inserted into a gun. Rumors circulated among the Sepoys that this cover had been greased with beef and pork fat. This angered Muslim Sepoys who were not supposed to consume pork, and the Hindu Sepoys who were not supposed to eat beef. Thus, the Sepoys revolted against the British army, which eventually ended the conflict through use of force. This resulted in the British government officially taking control of India, making it a colony.
Some view this as the first act of Indian independence, which would not be achieved until after WWII with the formation of the countries of India and Pakistan.
Indian Nationalism
Indian nationalistic movements, such as ones led by the Indian National Congress, had made attempts at self-rule but had never been completely successful. The great proponent of a free India, Mohandas K. Gandhi, was instrumental in the Indian Nationalist Movement. Known as the Mahatma, or the Great Soul, Gandhi forced change and an end to British imperialism through a strict policy of non-violence, or passive resistance.
Examples of his civil disobedience included boycotts such as the Salt March, and hunger strikes. He also forced change at home by attempting to do away with the Hindu caste system. The rigid caste system separated religious and political classes from lower classes of laborers and outcasts with no hope at social mobility.
Violent episodes, such as the Amritsar Massacre, plagued India's movement to be come free. Great Britain, weakened by its efforts in World War II, finally conceded to Indian nationalist demands in 1948.
Despite the influence of Gandhi, India fell into disorder. Hindu people wanted an all-Hindu state and Muslims, led by the Muslim League wanted a separate state. Gandhi was assassinated because of this conflict. Eventually, Pakistan was formed as a separate Muslim state. Therefore, the strength and will of the common people both achieved Indian independence and tore India apart. The story of Mahatma Gandhi and Indian nationalism is one of history's greatest ironies. After the partition was announced many Muslims and Hindu people died in riots and violence throughout the country. The picture below represents people boarding trains to leave their respective areas to go to the other area which represented their religious beliefs.
Classwork & Homework
Classwork: Answer the following question in paragraph form. How did Nationalism affect Europe and India?
Homework: Assignments