History Class 10: Liberal Nationalism, Conservatism and Revolutionaries in Europe

Liberal Nationalism, Conservatism, and Revolutionaries in Europe talk about a political philosophy that focuses on the establishment of customs, institutions, and traditions. The philosophy is completely against any change in the social hierarchies, family tradition, and properties. Let us learn how the idea of Liberal Nationalism and Conservative Regime took birth in Europe and how it impacted the world. 

The surge in nationalism in Europe

Pre-revolution conditions

• During the mid 18th century, there were no nation-states in Europe. Switzerland, Germany, and Italy were divided into cantons, kingdoms, and duchies
• Every ruler was an independent leader of their territories. People from diverse backgrounds were living under the autocratic monasteries of Central and Eastern Europe
• People had diverse identities. In fact, at that time, the region was packed with a population that spoke distinct dialogues and belonged to different traditions. The only thing that united them was their common emperor

Reasons and process of the rise of national states 

Aristocracy

The aristocracy was a dominating class in terms of social and political status. Each member of the aristocracy followed a similar lifestyle. 

They were owners across the countryside, including townhouses. Their prime language was French, and numerous families were connected by way of marriage. However, there weren’t a lot of them.

In Central and Eastern Europe, land ownership was represented through wide estates, and serfs would usually cultivate them. On the other hand, Western European lands were harvested by small owners and tenants. 

New Middle Class

In Central and Western Europe, there was growth in trade and industrial production. 

It resulted in the development of towns of commercial classes. Further, the working class formed new social groups leading to the idea of liberal nationalism. 

Adoption of Liberal Nationalism

The beard of the early 19th century was packed with the concept of liberalism. It focused on the system of government by consent, no more religious privilege, and dictatorship. 

The Making of Germany and Italy: Germany – Is the Army a Nation’s Architect?

National unification was spearheaded by Prussia after the fall of the Austro-Hungarian Empire. With the support of the Prussian army and bureaucracy, Otto von Bismarck was able to carry out this operation. Over seven years, Austria, Denmark, and France fought 3 wars. Prussia eventually triumphed and finished the phase of unification.

United Italy

A royal house from Italy controlled Sardinia-Piedmont, the only Italian kingdom to be partitioned into seven in the middle of the 19th century. Giuseppe Mazzini attempted to put together a cohesive platform for the united Italian Republic in the 1830s. The drive to unite Italy’s regions was led by Chief Minister Cavour. Under the command of Giuseppe Garibaldi, a significant number of armed volunteers joined the war. Victor Emmanuel II was declared King of Italy in 1861.

Britain’s Perplexing Case

In Britain, the development of the nation-state was the outcome of a long-drawn-out process rather than a dramatic upheaval or revolution. After the signing of the Act of Union between England and Scotland in 1707, the United Kingdom of Great Britain was born. The British flag (Union Jack), the national song (God Save Our Noble King), and the English language were all emblems of the new Britain.

The French Revolution and the Concept of the Nation:

There were political and constitutional reforms that contributed to France becoming a sovereign nation for its people rather than an aristocratic monarchy. Napoleon’s restoration to monarchy has wrecked France’s democratic system. He had brought revolutionary ideals into the administrative area to make the entire system more reasonable and efficient.

The French forces were greeted as harbingers of liberty in countries like Holland, Switzerland, Brussels, Mainz, Milan, and Warsaw. Increased taxes, censorship, and forced recruitment into the French forces needed to conquer the rest of Europe all looked to exceed the administrative benefits.

A New Conservatism After 1815

After Napoleon’s rule collapsed in the year 1815, the European government decided to follow conservatism. They believed that the preservation of traditional institutions is most important. 

Their main focus was to protect churches, families, social hierarchies, etc. However, some populations were supporting the modernization of the society that came under Napoleon’s rule.  

The Treaty of Vienna

In 1815, powerful European regions including Prussia, Britain, Austria, and Russia came together to Vienna to create a European settlement. 

The Austrian Chancellor Duke Metternich hosted the Congress. The goal of this treaty was to remove the changes made by Napoleon’s rule in Europe. Some of the changes due to the Treaty of Vienna are as follows: 

• Power was given to the Bourbon dynasty, which was taken away at the time of the French revolution
• There was a setup of a line of multiple states on France’s boundaries to deter the expansion of French any further 
• The confederation of 39 States by Germans remained as it is
• Saxony became part of Prussia, while Poland became a portion of Russia in the East

The majority of the 1815 conservative regime supported dictatorship. They were completely intolerant of any kind of criticism. Even they censor many contents in songs, books, newspapers, and plays.

Conclusion

Liberal Nationalism, Conservatism, and Revolutionaries in Europe is a very interesting and critical topic in the history of Europe as well as the world. The Treaty Of Vienna is usually asked in most entrance examinations.