History Class 10 Chapter 1 The Rise of Nationalism in Europe Notes

History Class 10 Chapter 1 notes- The Rise of Nationalism in Europe: This chapter explores how nationalism became a dominant force across Europe in the 19th century.

It traces its origins, development, and significant consequences. Understanding this period is crucial for grasping modern European history and the formation of contemporary nations.

These notes summarize key events and ideologies that led to the creation of independent nation-states from multi-ethnic empires, providing essential insights for Class 10 History Chapter 1 short notes.

Detailed Notes on The Rise of Nationalism in Europe

These detailed Class 10 notes explain how nationalism emerged in Europe, highlighting key events like the French Revolution, unification movements, and the formation of modern nation-states.

Introduction to Nationalism

Nationalism emerged as a powerful force in the 19th century. It profoundly changed Europe's political and mental landscapes.

This led to the creation of nation-states, replacing older multinational dynastic empires. A nation-state implies a shared identity and history among its citizens, not just its rulers.

French Revolution and Idea of Nation

The French Revolution in 1789 first clearly expressed nationalism. Power shifted from monarchy to French citizens. Ideas like 'la patrie' (fatherland) and 'le citoyen' (citizen) stressed equal rights and a united community. A new French tricolour flag replaced the royal standard.

The Estates General was renamed the National Assembly. A centralized administration with uniform laws was established. Internal customs duties were abolished, and a standard system of weights and measures was implemented.

French became the common language, discouraging regional dialects. The aim was to liberate other European people from despotism. French armies entered Holland, Belgium, Switzerland, and Italy in the 1790s.

The Civil Code of 1804 (Napoleonic Code)

This code removed birth-based privileges. It established equality before the law and secured property rights. It abolished the feudal system, freeing peasants from serfdom. Guild restrictions were removed in towns, and transportation improved. The code introduced uniform laws, standardized weights and measures, and a common national currency. However, initial welcome turned hostile due to increased taxation, censorship, and forced conscription.

Making of Nationalism in Europe: Important Timelines

• 1797: Napoleonic Wars began.

• 1814-1815: Napoleon's fall.

• 1821: The Greek struggle for independence started.

• 1848: Revolutions in Europe demanded nation-states by various groups.

• 1859-1870: Unification of Italy.

• 1866-1871: Unification of Germany.

• 1905: Slav nationalism emerged in the Habsburg and Ottoman Empires.

Habsburg Empire

The Habsburg Empire, ruling Austria-Hungary, encompassed diverse regions and peoples. German-speaking aristocrats dominated Bohemia and Alpine regions. Italian-speaking provinces included Lombardy and Venetia. Hungary had both Magyar and various dialect speakers. Peasants included Bohemians, Slovenes, Croats, and Roumans.

Aristocracy and the New Middle Class

The landed aristocracy was the dominant class, united by a common lifestyle. They owned estates and urban houses, spoke French, and were connected by marriage. This group was small. Most of the population comprised peasants. Industrial production growth in Western and Central Europe led to a new commercial class. Industrialization began in England in the late 18th century and spread to France and German states in the 19th century.

Liberal Nationalism

The term 'liberalism' comes from the Latin word 'liber', meaning free. Liberalism advocated individual freedom and equality before the law.

• Political Sphere: Emphasized government by consent. It sought an end to autocracy and clerical privileges, aiming for a constitution and representative government via parliament. Suffrage initially limited to property-owning men. Napoleon limited women's rights, leading to opposition.

• Economic Sphere: Advocated free markets. It called for abolishing state restrictions on goods and capital movement. Napoleon's administrative measures, despite creating a confederation of 39 states, led to multiple custom barriers and duties. The 'zollverein' (customs union) formed in 1834, led by Prussia, removed tariff barriers and reduced currencies, promoting economic unity.

A New Conservatism After 1815

After Napoleon's defeat in 1815, European governments embraced conservatism. Conservatives believed in preserving traditional institutions like the monarchy, church, social hierarchies, property, and family. They felt modernization could strengthen these institutions. The Treaty of Vienna (1815) aimed to undo Napoleonic changes. It restored the Bourbon dynasty in France and set up buffer states around France. It left the German Confederation untouched but restored monarchies and created a new conservative order. These regimes were autocratic, suppressing criticism and dissent.

The Revolutionaries

Secret societies emerged to train revolutionaries. They spread ideas opposing monarchy after the Vienna Congress and fought for liberty.

• Giuseppe Mazzini: Born in Genoa (1807), he joined the Carbonari secret society. Exiled in 1831, he founded 'Young Italy' (1831) and 'Young Europe' (1834). Mazzini believed nations were natural units of mankind, advocating a unified Italian republic. Metternich called him "the most dangerous enemy of our social order."

Age of Revolutions: 1830-1848

Revolutionaries were often educated middle-class elites.

• France (1830): The Bourbon kings were overthrown, replaced by Louis Philippe, a liberal monarch. Metternich famously remarked, "When France sneezes, the rest of Europe catches cold."

• July Revolution: Led to Belgium breaking away from the United Kingdom of Netherlands.

• Greek War of Independence: Greece, part of the Ottoman Empire, started its struggle in 1821. Nationalists gained support from exiled Greeks. Lord Byron joined and died fighting. The Treaty of Constantinople (1832) recognized Greece as an independent nation.

The Romantic Imagination and National Feeling

Culture played a vital role in spreading nationalism. Art, poetry, stories, and music shaped national feelings. Romanticism criticized reason, focusing on emotions and intuition. German philosopher Johann Gottfried Herder promoted 'das volk' (common people) as the source of true German culture. Folk songs, poetry, and dances popularized 'volksgeist' (spirit of the nation). Language also fostered nationalist sentiments. In partitioned Poland, Russian language was imposed, but Polish clergy used their language for church gatherings, making it a symbol of resistance. Karol Kurpinski celebrated the national struggle through operas, turning folk dances into nationalist symbols.

Hunger, Hardship, and Popular Revolt

The 1830s were years of economic hardship. Population growth led to migration to urban slums. Competition from machine-made imports was fierce. Peasants struggled under feudal dues. Rising food prices and bad harvests worsened conditions.

• 1848 (Paris): Widespread food shortages and unemployment led to Louis Philippe's flight. A National Assembly declared a republic, granting suffrage to all adult males and guaranteeing the right to work.

• 1845 (Silesia): Weavers revolted against contractors who drastically reduced payments.

1848: Revolution of Liberals

This brought monarch abdication and republics based on universal male suffrage. In German states, Italy, Poland, and the Austro-Hungarian Empire, middle-class liberals demanded constitutionalism and national unification. They sought freedom of the press and association.

• Germany: The German National Assembly (831 elected representatives) drafted a constitution for a German nation headed by a monarchy. King Friedrich Wilhelm IV of Prussia rejected it. The parliament, dominated by the middle class, resisted workers' demands. The assembly was disbanded.

• Women: Formed political associations, founded newspapers, and participated in meetings but were denied suffrage. They were only observers at the Frankfurt parliament. Louise Otto-Peters was a notable feminist activist.
  After 1848, autocratic monarchies in Central and Eastern Europe introduced changes like abolishing serfdom. Habsburg rulers granted Hungarians more autonomy in 1867.

Making of Germany and Italy

Germany: Can the Army be the Architect of a Nation?

Liberal nation-building efforts in Germany were suppressed by the monarchy and military, supported by Prussian Junkers (large landowners). Otto von Bismarck, Prussia's Chief Minister, spearheaded national unification. Three wars over seven years (against Austria, Denmark, and France) ended in Prussian victory and unification. In January 1871, Prussian King William I was proclaimed German Emperor at Versailles. The new state focused on modernizing currency, banking, legal, and judicial systems.

Italy Unified

Mid-19th century Italy was divided into seven states. Only Sardinia-Piedmont was ruled by an Italian princely house. The north was under Austrian Habsburgs, the center by the Pope, and the south by Bourbon kings of Spain.

• Giuseppe Mazzini (1830s): Advocated for a unitary Italian Republic and formed 'Young Italy'.

• Sardinia-Piedmont: After failed uprisings in 1831 and 1848, King Victor Emmanuel II took charge. His Chief Minister, Cavour, was neither a revolutionary nor a democrat. Cavour, through a diplomatic alliance with France, defeated Austrian forces in 1859.

• Garibaldi: In 1860, he led the "Expedition of the Thousand" to South Italy, removing Spanish rulers from the Kingdom of Two Sicilies. His volunteers were known as Red Shirts. In 1867, he led volunteers to Rome to fight the Papal States. When French forces withdrew in 1870, the Papal States joined Italy.

• 1861: Victor Emmanuel II was proclaimed King of united Italy. Many Italians, especially peasants, were unaware of liberal-nationalist ideology.

The Strong Case of Britain

Britain's nation-state formation was a long process, not a sudden revolution. Before the 18th century, identities were ethnic (English, Welsh, Scot, Irish). The English Parliament seized power from the monarchy in 1688. The Act of Union (1707) formed the 'United Kingdom of Great Britain' by incorporating Scotland. England imposed its influence, suppressing Scottish culture and language. Ireland faced a similar fate, forcibly incorporated in 1801 after Catholic revolts were suppressed. A new 'British nation' with dominant English culture was created, promoting symbols like the Union Jack and "God Save Our Noble King." This provides essential context for history class 10 chapter 1 notes pdf.

Visualising the Nation

Nations were often portrayed as female figures, becoming allegories. During the French Revolution, female allegories like Liberty, Justice, and the Republic emerged. 'Marianne' in France, with attributes like the red cap and tricolour, symbolized the people's nation. Statues of Marianne and her images on coins promoted national unity. 'Germania' became the allegory for the German nation, wearing a crown of oak leaves, symbolizing heroism.

Nationalism and Imperialism

By the late 19th century, nationalism lost its idealistic, liberal-democratic spirit. It became a narrow creed. The Balkans became a major source of nationalist tension after 1871. This region, home to Slavs, was largely under Ottoman control. Romantic nationalism, combined with the Ottoman Empire's disintegration, made the Balkans explosive. Balkan peoples demanded independence based on nationality. Intense rivalry among European powers over trade, colonies, and military strength in the Balkans led to a series of wars, culminating in the First World War. Nationalism combined with imperialism led Europe to disaster in 1914. Meanwhile, anti-imperial movements globally were inspired by collective national unity forged against imperialism. The rise of nationalism in Europe notes PDF highlights a critical turning point in global history.

Meaning of New Words

• Suffrage: The right to vote.

• Conservatism: A political philosophy valuing tradition, established institutions, and gradual development.

• Absolutist: A government with no restraints on power; centralized, militarized, and repressive monarchical rule.

• Utopian: A vision of an ideal society that is highly unlikely to exist.

• Feminist: Awareness of women's rights and interests based on gender equality.

• Ideology: A system of ideas reflecting a particular social and political vision.

• Ethnic: Relating to a common racial, tribal, or cultural origin or background.

• Allegory: Expression of an abstract idea through a person or thing, having both literal and symbolic meanings.

Meanings of the Symbols