History

1. The Rise of Nationalism
in Europe
 Introduction
 The French Revolution and the Idea of a
Nation

2. Introduction
In 1848, French artist Frederic Sorrieu prepared four prints depicting his dream
of a world made up of democratic and social republics

3. Frederic Sorrieu’s print – The Dream of Worldwide Democratic
and Social Republics – The Pact Between Nations
Men and women of Europe
and America – marching and
offering homage ot the Statue
of Liberty
Statue of liberty – holds the
Torch of Enlightenment in
hand and the Charter of
of Man in the other
On the earth in the
lie the shattered remains of
the symbols of absolutist
institutions
People have been grouped
into distinct nations identified
by their flag and national
costume. Leading the
procession past the Statue of
Liberty are United States and
Switzerland-already nation
states- followed by France,
Germany(the German peoples
did not exist as a united
nation), Austria etc
From the heavens above,
Christ, saints and angels gaze
upon the scene –also used by
artist to symbolize fraternity
among the nations of the
world

4. Formation of Nation-States
Nationalism in Europe emerged
as a force in the 19th century
Sweeping political and economic
changes, the end result was
emergence of nation states in
place of multi dimensional
dynastic empires of Europe
The idea of a modern state with a
centralized power exercising
sovereign control over a clearly
defined territory had been
developing over a long period of
time
But, a nation state was one in
which majority of citizens and
not only its rulers came to
develop a sense of common
identity or shared descent
This was forged through
struggles and the actions of
leaders and the common people
and did not exist from time
immemorial

5. The French Revolution and The Idea of a
Nation
The first clear expression of nationalism came with the
French Revolution in 1789
French Revolution brought about political and
constitutional changes that transferred sovereignty from
the monarch to a body of French citizens
Measures and Practices by French Revolutionaries that
could create a sense of collective belonging among
French people
• Idea of la patrie and le citoyen
• A new French flag replacing the royal standard
• Estates General was elected by a body of active citizens
and renamed the National Assembly
• Hymns were composed, martyrs commemorated in the
name of the nation
• Centralised administrative system along qith uniform
laws for all citizens was put in place
• Internal customs duties and dues were abolished and a
uniform system of weights and measures was adopted.
• Regional dialects of French language was discouraged
and French as it was written and spoken in Paris became
the common language of the nation

6. Effects of French Revolution
News from France reached different cities of Europe and students and
other educated middle class began setting up Jacobin clubs
These activities and campaigns paved the way for the French army to
move into Holland, Belgium, Switzerland and much of Italy in the 1790s
This allowed the French armies to carry the idea of nationalism abroad

7. Civil Code of 1804
Although Napolean
destroyed democracy
in France, he
introduced economic
reform which was
much needed. This he
then introduced in all
the territories he
conquered
The Civil code did
away with privileges
based on birth,
established equality
before law and
right to property
Simplified
administrative
divisions, abolished
feudal system, freed
peasants from
and manorial dues
In towns guild
restrictions were
removed
Transport and
Communication
systems were
improved
Peasants artisans
workers and new
businessmen enjoyed
new found freedom

8. Napoleonic Rule
Effects of the Civil code
• Businessmen and small scale producers of
goods began realizing that the uniform laws,
standardized weights and measures and a
common national currency would facilitate the
movement and exchange of goods and capital
from one region to another
Reactions to Napoleon’s rule
• Local population reacted to French rule in a
mixed way. Initially in many places they were
welcomed as harbingers of liberty
• But the initial enthusiasm soon turned into
hostility as the new admionistrative reforms did
not go hand in hand with political freedom
• Increased taxation, censorship, forced
conscription into the French armies required to
conquer the rest of Europe all seemed to
outweigh the advantages of administrative
changes.

9. A short depiction of Napolean’s life