HSY2601
Assignment 3 Semester 1 2024
Unique #:207246
Due Date: 15 April 2024
Detailed solutions, explanations, workings
and references.
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, Introduction
The 19th century marked a significant period in the development and spread of
nationalist sentiment across various regions of the world, particularly in Europe.
Nationalism, as an ideology, fostered a sense of shared identity among individuals
based on cultural traditions, language, and political aspirations, despite regional
differences. This notion of a unified national identity had profound implications for
the political landscape of the time, leading to the formation of nation-states, shaping
colonial policies, and influencing the dynamics of international relations. However,
the ascendancy of nationalism also revealed inherent contradictions and
complexities, leading to both unification and division within and among states. This
essay examines the ascendancy of nationalism in the 19th century, its
ramifications, and the contradictions that emerged from its proliferation.
Ascendancy of Nationalism in the 19th Century
Economic and Cultural Integration
The late 18th and early 19th centuries experienced an increase in economic
integration and the expansion of markets, facilitated by the Industrial Revolution.
This not only enhanced the exchange of goods but also of ideas, norms, and
values, particularly among the European middle-class and wealthy landowners.
Such economic and cultural integration fostered a sense of shared interests and
identity, laying the groundwork for nationalist sentiment.
Impact of the French Revolution
The French Revolution was a pivotal moment in the promotion of nationalism,
convincing many of its unique "Frenchness" and the importance of the nation-state
model, where governance was an expression of the people's will rather than divine
right. This concept soon spread across Europe and to the New World, exemplified
by the creation of the United States of America.
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