Napoleon Nationalism Research Paper

701 Words3 Pages
During the 18th and 19th centuries, nationalism has played a major role throughout our history. Nationalism is the devoted love for one’s nation. Moreover, nationalism involves the struggle of political independence in a particular country. The French Revolution of 1789 played a key role in the birth of nationalism. Revolutionary armies carried the slogan “liberty, equality, fraternity,” which Napoleon Bonaparte followed during his promotion of French nationalism. Napoleon’s invasions of other nations had the effect of spreading the concept of nationalism outside of France. However, nationalism can encourage each nation to pursue its own interest and compete for power or when individuals believe that their nation is supreme above all others…show more content…
Initially, Germany was divided into three hundred small kingdoms. However, Napoleon Bonaparte formed a confederation of the Rhine consisting of thirty-nine states created out of the former three hundred states. His conquests sparked German nationalism. People who had fought to free their lands from French rule began to demand a unified German state. Otto Von Bismarck appointed chancellor in 1862 and had guided Prussian Government policies: his goal was to unite the German States under Prussian rule by following his policy of “Blood and Iron”; blood stood for his willingness to engage other countries in warfare and iron symbolized his desire to forge Germany into a modern industrialized nation. His aggressive tactics included participation in three wars between 1864 and 1870: Prussia allies with Austria to defeat Denmark, Prussia against Austria, where Austria was defeated, and the Franco-Prussian war, where France was defeated.…show more content…
The Austrian empire had negative effects of nationalism due to its diverse ethnic groups. In 1800, the Hapsburgs of Austria controlled Bohemia and Hungary, and ruled parts of Romania, Poland, Ukraine, and Italy. Having to rule so many regions called for individual nationalists where minority groups wanted to be free from the Austrian Empire and they wanted self-rule. This sort of nationalism has created has separation between Austria and Hungary, a dual monarchy, which began pressing for liberty and self-determination. It is predicted that the rise nationalism will lead to political conflict in Europe in the 1900s with nationalist discontent would often leave the government paralyzed in the face of pressing problems. In conclusion, the desires for national independence threatened to break up the Austrian

More about Napoleon Nationalism Research Paper

Open Document