What Is Nationalism? (Grade 11 NSC Matric History): Revision Notes

What Is Nationalism?

Understanding modern nationalism

Modern nationalism is a powerful political and social force that shaped the world from the 18th century onwards. At its core, nationalism creates a strong sense of belonging and loyalty amongst people who share a common identity within a specific geographical area or state.

Key characteristics of modern nationalism include:

• Unity - People feel connected to others who share their national identity
• Loyalty - Citizens develop strong emotional ties to their nation
• Definable identity - Nations have distinct characteristics that set them apart from others
• Geographical basis - Nationalism develops within specific political territories or states

How nationalism originated

Before nationalism: Feudal society

Before nationalist ideas took hold, most societies operated under feudal systems for over 1000 years. In these systems:

• Ordinary people were subjects of kings who claimed to rule by divine right (God-given authority)
• Powerful institutions like churches reinforced the authority of royal lineages
• Society was organised around princes, kings, and chiefs rather than nations
• People's primary loyalty was to their local ruler, not to a broader national community

The birth of modern nationalism (1700s-1800s)

Modern nationalism first emerged in Western Europe during the 1700s and 1800s when new social classes began challenging the traditional power of feudal kingdoms and empires.

Key factors in nationalism's emergence:

• Philosophers like Jean Jacques Rousseau promoted the idea of the "will of the majority"
• People began demanding "national sovereignty" - the right of nations to govern themselves
• The goal was to replace the absolute rule of kings with government based on popular consent

The French Revolution's impact (1789-1795)

The French Revolution was a crucial turning point that demonstrated nationalism in action.

During this period:

• New social classes challenged old feudal power structures - The middle classes and common people rose up against the monarchy and aristocracy
• The concept of "will of the majority" was introduced - This meant that government should represent the people's wishes, not just the king's desires
• National unity emerged during external threats - When France faced invasion by other European powers, French people developed a strong sense of unity and loyalty to their nation
• National sovereignty replaced royal authority - The revolution established that nations, not kings, should hold ultimate political power

Napoleonic rule and its consequences (1795-1815)

Napoleon Bonaparte's rise to power had contradictory effects on European nationalism:

Napoleon's actions:

• Built a strong, united French Empire
• Extended French rule across much of Europe
• Believed in strict control with limited individual freedoms

Unintended consequences:

• Napoleon's conquests actually stimulated nationalism against French rule
• Defeated peoples developed their own nationalist movements to resist French domination
• This created a pattern where nationalism spread as a reaction to foreign control

The Congress of Vienna and conservative reaction (1815)

After Napoleon's defeat, European leaders met at the Congress of Vienna in 1815 to restore the old political order. However, their attempts to suppress democracy, liberalism, and nationalism actually had the opposite effect.

Conservative rulers tried to:

• Restore traditional monarchies and suppress democratic movements
• Prevent liberal and national revolutions from spreading

Results of this suppression:

• Liberal and national revolutions occurred in 1830 and 1848 across Europe
• Countries like Greece, the Netherlands, and Belgium gained independence
• These revolutions showed that nationalism had become a permanent force in European politics

How nationalism spread across Europe

The revolutionary waves of 1830 and 1848

The 19th century witnessed major civil wars that signalled the awakening of European nationalism:

1830 Revolutions affected:

• France - July Revolution overthrew King Charles X and established a constitutional monarchy
• United Kingdom of the Netherlands - Belgian Revolution led to Belgian independence in 1832
• Greece - Gained independence after a decade-long struggle against the Ottoman Empire
• Poland - November Uprising against Russian Empire (though crushed, it strengthened Polish nationalism)

1848 Revolutions were even more widespread:

• Began in France in February and spread to parts of Europe and Latin America
• Over 50 countries were affected by political upheavals
• Though many were initially unsuccessful, they established nationalism as a lasting force

Significance of these revolutions:

• Conservative rulers often relied on force to maintain control
• Civil wars broke out as people demanded nationalist movements be recognised
• Even when revolutions were crushed, nationalist feelings continued to grow
• The revolutions helped shape Europe along nationalist lines

German and Italian unification

Germany:

• The Zollverein (toll union) in northern German states promoted economic unity under Prussian leadership

• Otto von Bismarck, the Prussian nationalist leader, united the Germans through three wars

• Created a strong central European power and established Germany as Europe's greatest industrial nation by the end of the 19th century

• This showed how nationalism could create powerful new nation-states

  

Italy:

• Revolts in eight Italian states stimulated Italian nationalism against foreign rule
• Leaders like Cavour and Garibaldi liberated and united Italy under an Italian king
• This demonstrated how nationalist movements could overcome fragmented political systems

Link between the Industrial Revolution, rise of middle class and nationalism

By 1900, industrialisation had fundamentally changed European society and strengthened nationalism:

Economic factors driving nationalism

• Industrial growth provided nations with the resources to expand their power globally
• Countries sought new markets for their products and cheap raw materials for their industries
• This led to competition between European powers and the search for colonies

The rise of the middle class

Economic prosperity from industrialisation created a new middle class that:

• Supported nationalist ideas of unity, development, and progress
• Gained more political influence and demanded greater say in government policies
• Promoted concepts of national identity, unity, and social cohesion
• Often led popular nationalist movements against conservative rule

Impact on colonised countries

• Middle-class leaders in colonised territories used nationalist ideas to unite people against colonial rule
• World War II stimulated African and Asian nationalism against European colonial powers
• Colonies began pressuring colonisers for freedom, leading to decolonisation movements

The theory of nationalism as an imagined community

Benedict Anderson introduced an important theory in his 1983 book Imagined Communities that helps explain how nationalism works psychologically and socially.

Anderson's key ideas:

• Nations are socially constructed communities based on perceptions and feelings rather than just physical reality
• Members feel connected through shared mental images rather than personal relationships
• People claim to be united based on shared heritage, history, language, culture, and customs

How nationalist feelings spread:

• The invention of printing helped spread nationalist ideas across Europe by making books, newspapers, and pamphlets widely available
• Powerful symbols were adopted to express national identity (flags, anthems, ceremonies)
• Patriotism and militarism combined with nationalism created a potent and sometimes dangerous force

The dual nature of nationalism:

• Positive aspects: Defended imagined communities and promoted unity and identity
• Negative aspects: Often used destructively to expand territory and power at others' expense