Early European Nationalism

During the late eighteenth to early twentieth century strong nation states developing in both Germany and in Italy were built upon the ideals of nationalism. Nationalism by definition is the bonding of people by a common language, history, tradition, beliefs, and goals. The concept of Nationalism originated with the French Revolution and with Napoleon, who helped it spread throughout Europe. As it took hold of urban societies of the late eighteenth century, people began to transfer their allegiance from a monarchy to a country and to put national interests above all considerations. Nationalism provided people with a sense of belonging and power, as well as a connection to the state without the use of a singular representative such as a king. Nationalism was generally associated with liberal ideals, through the justification of nationalistic tendencies, urban workers and members of the middle class have the potential to establish a republicanized country, disrupting the delicate balance of power in Europe. During the Age of Metternich conservative ideals were pitted against, democratic and revolutionary concepts which were expressed in the French and American Revolutions. Prince Klemens von Metternich of Austria set in motion a thirty year pattern of anti-democratic polices followed by conservatives: monarchs, nobles, landowners, and church elders- who dominated the continent of Europe. One of such anti-liberal attempts Metternich made with the help of representatives from the Germanic states was the formation of the Karlsbad Decrees in 1819. The Karlsbad Decrees called for the direct dissolution of the Burchenshaft, repression of books, newspapers and the dismissal of professors who taught idealistic, liberal doctrine.

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