Class 10, History chapter - 1 (The rise of nationalism in Europe) Topic 4, and 5

4 the making of Germany and Italy 

4.1 Unification of Germany

The making of Germany and Italy was a process of unification that took place during the 19th century.

The Making of Germany: Before unification, the region we now know as Germany was made up of over 300 independent states.

Key Figures:

• Otto von Bismarck – Prussian Chancellor and chief minister, who masterminded German unification through his policy of Blood and Iron.
• King Wilhelm I – King of Prussia, later the first German Emperor.
• Middle class people goes to Prussia king but king deny and suppressed them.
• Middle class people goes to Junkers (landlords) of Prussia.
• Chief ministers, Junkers and Millitary fight against French, Austria, and Denmark.

The Role of Prussia:

Otto von Bismarck: The key figure in the unification of Germany was Otto von Bismarck, Prime Minister of Prussia. He used a combination of diplomacy and war to achieve his goal of uniting the German states under Prussian leadership.

• Prussia win and Germany unification process completed
• January 1871 Kaiser William I become the Prussian king.
• Prussia focused on to modernize the currency, banking, legal and judicial system.

4.2 Unification of Italy 

Italy, like Germany, was also divided into seven smaller states and foreign-controlled territories. 

1. Italy north area under :- Austria Habsburg
2. Centre was ruled by :- POP
3. Southern regions under control of :- Bourbon king of Spain
4. Sardinia - Piedmont :- Italian princely house. 

Key Figures:

• Giuseppe Mazzini: A passionate nationalist and revolutionary, Mazzini was a key figure in the early stages of Italian unification. He founded the secret society Young Italy to promote the idea of a united Italian republic.
• Count Camillo di Cavour: Prime Minister of the Kingdom of Sardinia, Cavour played a key diplomatic role in uniting Italy. He worked to secure alliances, particularly with France, to weaken Austria, which controlled parts of northern Italy.
• Giuseppe Garibaldi: A military leader and nationalist, Garibaldi led the Expedition of the Thousand in 1860, which resulted in the conquest of the Kingdom of the Two Sicilies in the south. His actions were crucial in uniting Italy.
• Young Italy secret society formed by Giuseppe Mazzini but,1831 and 1848 revolution failure.
• The Second Italian War of Independence (1859): Cavour allied with France to defeat Austria, which led to the annexation of Lombardy to Sardinia.
• The Expedition of the Thousand (1860): Garibaldi’s forces conquered the Kingdom of the Two Sicilies, and the southern states joined Sardinia.
• Central Italy controled by POP but they afraid and surrendered. 
• The Kingdom of Italy (1861): Italy was officially unified under King Victor Emmanuel II of Sardinia, though Rome remained outside until 1870.

4.3 The strange case of Britan

The Strange Case of Britain: A Unique Path to Nation-State Formation :- Britain did not experience a single nationalist revolution. Instead, its nation-state formation was driven by parliamentary developments, economic changes, and military conquests.

Major Ethnic Groups in Britain

(i) English (England)

• The largest ethnic group, mainly in England.
• Dominated British politics, language (English), and governance.

(ii) Scottish

• A distinct ethnic group with Gaelic and Anglo-Saxon heritage.
• Scotland maintained a separate legal system, education, and church even after the 1707 union with England.

(iii) Welsh

• Descendants of the ancient Britons.
• The Welsh language and culture have seen a revival in modern times.

(iv) Irish

• Ireland was incorporated into Britain in 1801 but remained culturally and religiously distinct.

Ireland Key Events in British Unification:

Act of Union (1707): England and Scotland united to form Great Britain under a single parliament in London.

The Glorious Revolution (1688) established a system where the monarch ruled with the consent of Parliament, reducing the king's absolute power.

Two Kinds of People in Ireland (1798 & 1801 Act of Union)

1. Catholics (Majority)

• Mostly native Irish population.
• Led the Irish Rebellion of 1798 with support from revolutionary France.

1798 Rebellion (Catholic and United Irishmen Revolt)

• Inspired by the American and French Revolutions.
• Led by Wolfe Tone and the United Irishmen (a mixed Catholic and Protestant nationalist group)

1801 Act of Union

• After the failed 1798 rebellion, Britain imposed the Act of Union (1801), merging Ireland with Britain to form the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland.

Conclusion :- 

• England become a new "British Nation"
• Introduce symbols 
• British Flag (Union Jack)
• National Anthem (God save our noble king)

5 - Visualizing the Nation

During the 19th century, nationalism spread across Europe, and people began to imagine and represent their nations in symbolic ways. Artists, poets, and political leaders created national symbols, personifications, and allegories to inspire unity and patriotism

(i) Germania (Germany)

• Germania was the national personification of Germany.
• She was often depicted as a strong woman with:
• A sword (symbolizing readiness to defend the nation).
• An oak wreath (representing heroism and strength).
• The imperial crown (showing authority and unity).
• The Black-Red-Gold flag (colors of German nationalism).

(ii) Marianne (France)

• Marianne represented the French Republic and the ideals of liberty, equality, and fraternity.
• Marianne became a symbol of the French Revolution and democracy.

5.1 - Nationalism Leads to Imperialism

While nationalism united people within a country, it also encouraged imperialism—the expansion of power over foreign territories.

What is Imperialism?

The policy of extending a country’s political, economic, or military control over other regions.

Case Study: The Balkans 

• The Balkans refers to a region in Southeastern Europe that includes countries like Greece, Serbia, Bulgaria, Romania, Albania, and Bosnia-Herzegovina. 
• During the 19th and early 20th centuries, the Balkans became a center of nationalist movements, imperial rivalries, and conflicts, ultimately contributing to the outbreak of World War I (1914-1918).
• Russia, Austria-Hungary, Germany, and Britain wanted to control in the Balkans.

Anti-imperial movements 

Anti-imperial movements played a crucial role in reshaping the modern world. They ended colonial rule, promoted self-determination, and inspired global struggles for equality and justice.

Modern Nationalism in Europe came to be associated with the formation of nation states.

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HISTORY CHAPTER -1 The Rise of Nationalism in Europe