From the late 1700s through the early 1900s, Enlightenment ideals led to revolutionary movements that spread political independence throughout North America and Latin America as colonies gained freedom from European powers. Social reforms extended freedoms and nationalism developed as countries unified and national groups fought for independence, causing tensions between ethnic groups and states in Europe. Nationalism mobilized people through shared national identities, holidays, schools, and larger armies to protect and expand nation states.

1. 1750-1914: From Revolution to Nationalism From late 1700's through 1800's Enlightenment ideals inspired revolutionary movements.

2. Political Independence North American colonists became free. France abolished the monarchy. Haitian republic formed. Latin America became independent.

3. Reform and Nationalism Social reform began to extend freedoms to excluded people. Nationalism developed in the later part of the period.

4. Unification and Nationalism Italy and Germany unified in later 1800's. National groups in multiethnic areas began to fight for independence. Led to significant tensions in Austrian Empire further inflamed by Russian pan-Slavism.

5. Effects of Nationalism Nationalism mobilized all who felt national kinship. National holidays instituted and schools built to instill national values. Armies built to protect (and expand) the national state.