CBSE Class 10 - History - THE RISE OF NATIONALISM IN EUROPE

THE RISE OF NATIONALISM IN EUROPE

Commonly Asked Questions

Q1: What was Federic Sorrieu's dream of 'Democratic Republics'?

Answer: In 1848, Federic Sorrieu prepared a print called 'The Dream of Worldwide Democratic and Social Republic. He tried to visualise his dream of a world made up 'democratic republics'. According to him:

1. People of Europe and America marching and forming a long train towards the statue of liberty and offering homage to it.

2. He personified liberty as a female figure.

3. In his glorified dream, he grouped people of the world as distinct nations which are identified by their national costumes and national flags.

4. From heavens, Saints and angels gaze upon the scene symbolising the fraternity among the nations of the world.


Q2: How the concept of nation was visualised in Europe in 18th and 19th century?

Answer:
1. Artists in 18th and 19th centuries tried to give a face and personify the concept of a nation.
2. Nations were portrayed as female figures and alma mater (motherlands).
3. The Female figure became an allegory of the nation. e.g. Germania. In her visual representation, Germania wears a crown of oak leaves as the German Oak stands for heroism.




Q3: Write a short note on nation emerging in 18th and 19th century Europe.

Answer: Erns Renan described a nation as a culmination of long past endeavours, sacrifice and devotion. It has common glories in the past symbolising 'common will in the present' which has performed great deeds together. Its existence is a daily plebiscite, a province is its inhabitants. If anyone has the right to be consulted it is the inhabitants.


Q4: How did French revolution contribute to the development of nationalism in Europe?

Answer: French revolution and the reforms introduced during that period created a sense of collective identity.

1. The concept of the fatherland (La Patric) and the citizen (La Citoyen) was conceptualised.
2. The french tricolour flag symbolised France as a nation.
3. New nomenclature e.g. estates general was called National Assembly.
4. New hymns were composed. Oaths were undertaken and martyrs were commemorated glorifying the togetherness of people in past and their endeavours.
5. Centralised administrative system was introduced.
6. French was chosen as spoken and a written language.
7. Custom duties were abolished.
8. Jacobin clubs were formed in other parts of Europe spreading the ideas of the French revolution.

Q5: Who has been called the ‘Hero of Two Worlds’ ?

Answer: Garibaldi


Q6:  Who were Marianne and Germania? What was the importance of a  way in which they were portrayed?

Answer: Marianne and Germania were the female allegories of France and German nations respectively. They were personified as the ‘Republic’ and ‘Liberty’. They were portrayed such that would instil a sense of nationality in the citizens of these countries.


Q7: What were the basic attributes of nationalism that emerged in Europe in 18th century?

Answer:

• A feeling of oneness with the state, 
• love and devotion for the motherland and 
• belief in the political identity of one's country 

were the basic attributes of nationalism.



Q8: Write a short note on Giuseppe Mazzini.

Answer:

① Giuseppe Mazzini was an Italian revolutionary. He was born in Genoa in 1807.

② He was sent into exile at the age of 24 in 1831 for attempting a revolution in Liguria.

③ He founded two secret societies, namely Young Italy and Young Europe. The young members of these societies were inspired to involve in revolutionary activities.

④ Following his ideas and on the model of his secret societies, more such societies were set up in Germany, France, Switzerland and Poland.

⑤ Austrian Chancellor Duke Metternich once describe him as ‘the most dangerous energy of our social order’.


Q9: Briefly trace the process of German unification. 

Answer: German unification was a long and complicated process. At the beginning of the 19th century, Germany was not a unified country. It was a collection of autocratic states (39 in all), where only the very wealthy and powerful ruled. It was a difficult affair to unite Germany. It took a long time to unite Germany into one country and the credit goes to Bismarck. He fought three wars to unify Germany. 

(i) Danish-Prussian War in 1864: 

The 1864 Danish War helped Bismarck strengthen his internal position in Prussia. Danish King Friedrich VII died in 1864. Many European royals were independent having undersized territories. Often these territories were divided by different laws, customs, and even languages. Without much effort, Prussia defeated Danish. The Danish War was the first step in the unification of Germany. 

(ii) Austro-Prussian War in 1866: 

In 1866 relations between Austria and Prussia worsened over the control of Schleswig-Holstein. However, the real concern was to emerge as the dominant force in Germany. Bismarck provoked quarrels with the Austrians to gain supremacy in Germany. He tactfully secured Italian support and French neutrality. Prussian troops occupied Holstein and the ‘Seven Weeks War’ broke out between Prussia and Austria. During the Seven Weeks War (1866), Austria was totally crushed by Prussian forces at the Battle of Sadowa, and was completely removed from any role in German affairs. An extraordinary lenient treaty, the Treaty of Prague was signed to expel Austria from the German Confederation so that Austria did not remain an enemy of Prussia. Prussia was now able to dominate the other German states without fear of Austrian intervention. 

(iii) North German Confederation in 1866: 

After defeating Austria, Bismarck organised the North German Confederation in 1866. It was composed of Prussia and 17 small northern German states. It contained all German states. North of the Main River was successfully controlled by Prussia. The remaining German states were eventually forced to join, including Bavaria, Württemberg, Baden and Hesse-Darmstadt. Bismarck was now ready to take on France. 

(iv) Franco-Prussian War in 1870-71: 

To complete German unification Bismarck had to deal with France. In 1870 Bismarck purposely created war with France. Bismarck suggested a German candidate’s name for the vacant Spanish throne. The hidden aim behind this move was to make the French emperor Napoleon III angry and declare war on Prussia and the North German Confederation. Prussia was completely victorious over France at the Battle of Sedan in 1870 and gained control over Alsace-Lorraine. For unification 

Bismarck followed ‘Blood and Iron’ policy. Thus, the long planned journey of German unification was completed in 1871.