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1. Analyse and characterise the relationship between the modern nation-state and nationalism
in the 19th century.
Essay 1
Introduction
The 19th century was a transformative period for the development of modern nation-states and the
rise of nationalism as a dominant political ideology. This era witnessed the collapse of old empires,
the reshaping of political boundaries, and the birth of new nations based on the principle of national
self-determination. Nationalism not only influenced the formation of nation-states but also redefined
the relationship between the state and its citizens. The concept of nationalism became deeply
intertwined with the legitimacy of the state, with governments using it to forge a collective identity
and strengthen their political authority. However, this relationship was complex, marked by both
unity and division, and it played out in different ways across various regions and historical contexts.
The rise of nationalism in the 19th century must be understood in the context of broader
socio-political changes, such as the spread of Enlightenment ideas, the industrial revolution, and the
aftermath of the French Revolution. These developments challenged traditional forms of authority
and governance, paving the way for new ideologies centered on the nation as the primary unit of
political organization. The relationship between nationalism and the modern nation-state during this
period was marked by mutual reinforcement, as the two concepts evolved in tandem. Nationalism
helped to legitimize and consolidate nation-states, while the emergence of these states provided a
framework within which nationalist ideologies could flourish.
The Intellectual Roots of 19th-Century Nationalism
The intellectual roots of 19th-century nationalism can be traced back to the Enlightenment, which
emphasized reason, individual rights, and the notion of popular sovereignty. Thinkers like
Jean-Jacques Rousseau and Johann Gottfried Herder played pivotal roles in shaping the idea of
nationalism by advocating for the unity of people based on shared language, culture, and history.
Rousseau’s concept of the "general will" suggested that political authority should be derived from
the collective will of the people, which laid the groundwork for later nationalist movements that
sought to align the state with the nation.
Herder, on the other hand, emphasized the importance of language and culture in defining a nation.
He argued that every nation had its own unique "Volksgeist," or national spirit, which was expressed
through its language, traditions, and cultural practices. This idea of cultural nationalism became
particularly influential in Central and Eastern Europe, where various ethnic groups sought to assert
their distinct identities in the face of imperial rule.
The romantic movement of the early 19th century also contributed to the development of nationalist
ideas. Romanticism emphasized emotion, nature, and the idea of the nation as an organic entity with
its own unique character and destiny. Writers, poets, and artists celebrated national traditions and
folklore, further fueling the desire for national self-determination. Figures like the German poet
Johann Wolfgang von Goethe and the Italian writer Alessandro Manzoni inspired nationalist
sentiments through their works, which idealized the nation as a source of identity and pride.
