The Rise of Nationalism in Europe, History Class 10 Chapter 1- Made Simple -

The French Revolution And The Idea of Nation, Class 10, History, Chapter 1, CBSE Exam Notes

Overview

The need to write this post “The Rise of Nationalism in Europe, History, Class 10, Chapter 1- Made Simple”, was felt to help readers curate a mindset which can understand the background and objective of this chapter1 of class 10 History. This will help students firm their grip over this chapter.

How to Study History

History is not about rote learning but about understanding any event in terms of –

Timeline of event to understand the chronology.
Long term causes and immediate causes behind it.
Nature of participation, extent of participation.
Repercussions (social, demographic, economic and geographic).

It is always desirable to draw timelines, flowcharts, and mind maps to summarize events and establish relationship between them.

A good understanding of recurring themes like nationalism, industrialization, and globalization is the key to understand the events in their depth. Understanding how different chapters interconnect (e.g., how nationalism influenced independence movements globally) helps in presenting a good analysis of events.

Connecting historical events to modern-day scenarios is also essential for a better understanding. For example, comparing colonialism’s impact on economies with present-day globalization gives good understanding of these two important global events.

The Rise of Nationalism in Europe – Made Simple

Frederic Sorrieu’s Visualisation

This chapter 1 of class 10 History, starts with a painting. This painting is in series of 4 prints and the name of the artist is Frederic Sorrieu. Frederic Sorrieu’s famous series of paintings, especially “The Dream of Worldwide Democratic and Social Republics” (1848), conveys a powerful vision of nationalism and liberty during the 19th century. Here’s an analysis of what it wants to convey:

Universal Fraternity and Unity:
The painting depicts people of different nations marching together toward a symbolic representation of liberty, typically embodied by a female figure holding a torch or the Charter of Rights. This shows Sorrieu’s ideal of a unified world where diverse nations coexist in peace and harmony.
Nationalism and Democratic Aspirations:
Sorrieu envisioned a world where nation-states, free from monarchy and empires, emerge based on democratic principles. The painting celebrates the idea of nationalism and portrays it as a driving force for self-determination and collective identity.
Rejection of Absolutism:
The image also shows broken chains and symbols of tyranny, representing the rejection of oppressive, monarchical, or imperial regimes in favor of republics based on equality and justice.
Utopian Vision:
Sorrieu’s work is utopian in nature, reflecting the ideals of the 19th-century revolutions, particularly the Revolutions of 1848, where people aspired to create a just and egalitarian world.
Global Solidarity:
By portraying people of various nationalities, each carrying their respective flags, the painting emphasizes the importance of solidarity among nations while maintaining their unique cultural identities.

We know that France was a full fledged territorial state in 1789, under the rule of an absolute monarch. It was only through the French revolution that transfer of sovereignty from absolute monarchy to a body of French citizens became possible.

From the very beginning, the French revolutionaries introduced various measures and practices that could create a sense of collective identity amongst the French people.

Ernst Renan’s Lecture of 1882 (university of Sorbonne)

Here at this point of our talk it would be quite pertinent to visit Earnst Renan’s famous lecture titled “What is a Nation?” at university of Sorbonne in1882. Here, we find beautiful understanding of what makes a nation.

His views on nationalism, as discussed in this lecture, provide an alternative understanding of the concept, which contrasts with ethnic or linguistic ideas of nationhood. Here’s an excerpt summarizing the key points of his lecture:

Nation as a “Spiritual Principle”:
Renan argued that a nation is not defined by a common language, race, or religion, but by the shared feelings, experiences, and mutual consent of its people. He famously stated:
“A nation is a soul, a spiritual principle.”
The Role of Shared History and Forgetfulness:
Renan highlighted the importance of a common past, including shared sacrifices and struggles. However, he also emphasized that forgetting certain painful events of history is essential for the formation of a cohesive nation. As he put it:
“Forgetting, I would even say historical error, is a crucial factor in the creation of a nation.”
A Nation as a “Daily Plebiscite”:
He described a nation as an ongoing, active choice made by its people to live together and maintain solidarity. It is not a static entity but rather a continuous reaffirmation of unity. Renan stated:
“A nation is a daily plebiscite, a perpetual affirmation of life.”
Critique of Ethnic and Linguistic Nationalism:
Renan dismissed the idea that nations could be formed solely based on ethnic, linguistic, or religious homogeneity. He argued that diversity within a nation is natural and enriching, and that no single factor could define national identity.
The Importance of Collective Will:
Ultimately, Renan concluded that a nation is built on the collective will of its people to remain united and strive for a common future.

This lecture is significant because it emphasizes nationalism as a shared consciousness and voluntary association rather than a rigid or exclusive concept based on race or culture.

Let’s connect Ernst Renan’s ideas on nationalism to historical examples, particularly in the context of Class 10 History Chapter 1 (The Rise of Nationalism in Europe):

1. The Unification of Germany and Italy:

Connection to Renan’s Ideas: Renan’s thought of a nation as a “spiritual principle” and a product of shared struggles aligns with the unification movements of Germany and Italy.
In both of these cases, it wasn’t a common language, race, or religion that created these nations, but it was the shared aspiration for political unity and independence from foreign rule (e.g., Austria in Italy’s case) that created these nations.
Otto von Bismarck in Germany and Giuseppe Garibaldi in Italy rallied people around the idea of national pride and shared sacrifices rather than linguistic or ethnic uniformity.

2. The French Revolution (1789):

Connection to Renan’s Ideas: The French Revolution underlined Renan’s principle of a nation being based on the will of the people.
The French revolution abolished monarchy and proclaimed the Republic, creating a national identity based on liberty, equality, and fraternity, rather than loyalty to a king or a singular ethnic identity.
Renan’s idea of a “daily plebiscite” can be seen in the revolutionary government’s constant emphasis on the people’s active participation in shaping the nation.

3. Multinational Empires (Austria-Hungary and Ottoman Empire):

Connection to Renan’s Critique: Renan criticized the idea that nations must be homogeneous in language or ethnicity. This resonates with the failure of empires like Austria-Hungary and the Ottoman Empire to contain their diverse populations. In these empires, various ethnic groups (e.g., Slavs, Hungarians, Greeks, Arabs) sought to create their own nations, reflecting their desire for political independence and the “collective will” Renan spoke of.

4. India’s Struggle for Independence:

Connection to Renan’s Ideas: Renan’s idea of a nation as a shared consciousness well resonates with the Indian independence movement. Despite its vast diversity in languages, religions, and cultures, India successfully united as a nation under the shared goal of freedom from British colonial rule.
Leaders like Mahatma Gandhi worked to curate a collective national identity by emphasizing shared history, struggle, and values of tolerance and inclusivity, rather than narrow ethnic or religious identities.

5. Post-World War Nation-Building (1919 Treaty of Versailles):

Connection to Renan’s Ideas: The Treaty of Versailles reshaped the map of Europe by creating new nations like Poland, Czechoslovakia, and Yugoslavia. However, these were not always based on the “will of the people” but on ethnic lines, brewing escalation of tensions.
Renan’s belief in the importance of shared consent highlights why these artificial boundaries in these regions, imposed without the “daily plebiscite” of the people, often resulted in instability and turmoil.

Finally…

Renan’s ideas of nationalism challenge narrow, exclusive definitions and promote a broader, inclusive vision of what binds people together. These principles help us understand the successes and failures of nation-building efforts across history.

We should study various units of this chapter 1 (The Rise of Nationalism in Europe) of class 10 History, by centering ourselves around the various concept discussed above. Links for the notes in question- answer format for these units are given below :

The Rise of Nationalism in Europe, History Class 10 Chapter 1- Made Simple

Table of Contents

Overview

How to Study History