In the nineteenth century, many changes were occurring
throughout Europe. Many of these changes focused on the individual,
which was an important aspect of European society. However, many
changes also focused on the individuals responsibility to the nation.
During this time, many individuals demonstrated their right to self-government
through political systems such as liberalism, while also showing their
loyalty to the nation through movements of nationalism and imperialism.
During the time when Europeans became focused
on the self, rather than society as a whole, liberals began to surface.
Liberals promoted a limited government and desired to protect the rights
of the individual. Liberalism was an autonomous political system,
meaning the people believed they had the right or power of self-government.
ìLiberals favored equality before the law for all citizens, religious toleration,
and freedom of the press.î1 During this period it was more important that
the rights and duties of the people were acknowledged by the government,
rather than the government focusing solely on gaining money and power.
Many advancements were made during the
nineteenth century that improved the self governing system that Europe
desired. The ìSecond Industrial Revolutionî occurred during which the agricultural
and industrial world developed, improving the standard of living.
Many Europeans began migrating to cities with the hopes of finding better
jobs and better lives. The standard of living greatly improved and
the autonomous system of liberalism prospered. As more and more individuals
began focusing on their rights and duties as individuals, they also began
focusing on their responsibilities to their nation.
Gradually, as European society improved,
a shift could be seen in the lives of the people. More individuals
began to want to improve their country as a whole. This spawned the
development of nationalism. Nationalism required a large devotion
to the state in order to be successful. Governments began to become
involved in the lives of the individuals in order to better the state.
Public schools were built and students had the concepts of loyalty and
responsibility to the nation instilled in them. Citizens were taught
it was their duty to be loyal to the government if they wanted their individual
rights upheld. Two European countries that developed extreme nationalism
were Germany and Italy.
After Germany built strong individuals,
it turned its focus to the nation. Because Germany was surrounded
by powerful nations they found themselves in a weakened state. Otto
Von Bismarck, Prime Minister of Prussia, was a leading advocate in uniting
Germany. In his speech to the Reichstag, Bismarck inspired the responsibility
in the German people. ìWe must, to put it briefly, be as strong in
these times as we possibly can be, and we can be stronger than any other
nation of equal numbers in the world.î2 With these words, the Germans felt
a renewed loyalty to their nation. They felt prepared for anything
that would come their way, such as war. The German government knew
if they did not exercise the responsibility of protecting the people that
they had been given, then their country would suffer greatly. Germany
was not going to take any chances, politically or socially, and the people
felt confident of their nationalism. ìWe are strong enough to protect
ourselves, even if we should be attacked at a less favorable moment.î3
No matter what happened in Germany, the people were still loyal to the
nation, and at the same time loyal to their development of rights and duties.
Italy was also a nation focused on nationalism.
Wanting to become a leading European power, Italy first had to develop
united forces. In order to do this, the people had to have a reason
to come together. Giuseppe Mazzini, a liberal
advocate, gave Italians this reason. He
told Italians to look to the future, because the future would greatly reflect
on the actions of the people during the nineteenth century. ìThe
watchword of the faith of the future is Association, and the fraternal
co-operation of all towards a common aim.î4 It became the responsibility
of the people to achieve this common aim that Mazzini spoke of. As
the Italians strove to reach their common goals many individuals made advancements
in society. ìThe banks multiply, as do the commercial institutions,
the expositions of the products of art and industry, and the congresses
of the learned.î5 Individuals handled these aspects of society, and by
managing such affairs they were exercising their rights and duties as Italian
citizens.
It was the individuality and responsibility
that the Germans and Italians developed that helped create the desire for
more land and more power. Because many European nations, Germany
and Italy in particular, had become so unified they felt it was their right
to overtake less powerful nations. They also had the fear of not
succeeding in the race for survival. These thoughts and fears opened
the doors for imperialistic and Social Darwinism movements.
Imperialism was based mainly on the countryís
power, and the responsibility of the people to that power. Each European
nation, during the late nineteenth century, had the strong urge to expand
their territory and build their nation to be stronger than any other nation.
This task was not easily accomplished and required much organization on
the part of the nation. Often times imperialistic actions were linked
to war, and this was something the Europeans would face soon enough.
As a result of such actions many nations became defensive and began to
mobilize their military powers. This great mobilization required
extreme loyalty from the people, because they are the ones that composed
the army. Without citizen involvement, the Europeans would have suffered
extreme losses. However, because the people were independent yet
still faithful to the nation, the major powers of Europe were able to develop
the strength they needed to defend themselves.
While imperialism was more of a nation
oriented movement, Social Darwinism was an autonomous movement. Charles
Darwinís theory of evolution, that only the fittest would survive, inspired
many European nations. No country wanted to fall behind in the race
for survival. Charles Morris, a popularizer of Darwinís theories,
in his writing War and Civilization speaks of weak nations: ìAn isolated
nation is in the same position as an isolated individual. Its experiences
are limited, its ideas few and narrow in range.î6 The Europeans did not
want to become isolated, so they motivated individuals to grow. Governments
focused on the individual so in the end they would have an undefeatable
nation. Programs were started that promoted health and personal hygiene.
Cities were cleaned to provide a better living environment. Advancements
were made in health and science, and the overall standard of living improved.
Throughout this period, European focus
was placed mainly on the rights and duties of individuals. The individual
is a crucial element in society, and without the growth of the individual
European society would have suffered greatly. It was because of the loyalty
that the people showed for their nation that Europe prospered. Each European
country developed a strong sense of nationalism and was able to expand
their rule to other nations that were less fortunate. Without the autonomy
and responsibility shown in Europe in the nineteenth century, Europe might
not have become the advanced nation that is today.
1 Donald Kagan, et al. The Western Heritage Brief
Edition, Volume II, Since 1648. (Upper Saddle River, NJ: Prentice Hall,
1996), 490.
2 Otto Von Bismarck, ìSpeech to the Reichstagî
in Perry M. Rogers, ed., Aspects of Western Civilization Third Edition,
Volume II, Problems and Sources in History. (Upper Saddle River, NJ: Prentice
Hall, 1997), 170.
3 ìSpeech to the Reichstagî in Rogers, Aspects
of Western Civilization, 172.
4 ìThe Duties of Manî in Rogers, Aspects of Western
Civilization, 165.
5 ìAddress to Parliamentî in Rogers, Aspects
of Western Civilization, 168.
6 ìWar and Civilizationî in Rogers, Aspects of
Western Civilization, 180.
Smith, Helmut Walser. German Nationalism and
Religious Conflict: Culture, Ideology, Politics, 1870-1914. Princeton,
New Jersey: Princeton University Press, 1995.
This book explores the relationship between religion and the national identity of Germany. In particular it touches on the conflict between Protestants and Catholics as Germany strove to create its own liberal identity. Smith also provides an analysis of the social, cultural, and political dimensions of German life. Finally, Smith explores the role of political Protestantism and the nature of the national identity in Germany today.
1. Biography of Otto Von Bismarck This web site, offered by the Siberia School web site, offers a complete biography of To On Bismarck. The page covers everything from Bismarck's birth in Prussia, to the background of his mother and father. The page continues to give a detailed look at Bismarck's life as Prime Minister of Prussia and his role in creating German nationalism.
2. Duties of Man At this website the complete text of Giuseppe Mazzini's Duties of Man. This writing by Mazzini, a liberal advocate, inspired the spirit of nationalism in Italy in the late nineteenth and early twentieth centuries.
3. A Look at Italian History This site, created by a Zetnet user, contains facts about Italian history. More importantly, however, it discusses the life of Giuseppe Mazzini, a liberal advocate. Mazzini was influential in the shaping of Italian society in the nineteenth century.
4. Bismarck's Fall From Power, 1890 The text of this page concerns Otto Von Bismarck's life and political relationship with Kaiser Wilhelm II. The documents provided in this site were written by Bismarck himself during his reign and the period following his dismissal from power.
5. German History This page provides an extensive look at German history and politics. The author has also provided other helpful links to related topics and articles. Some of the historical topics covered are: the Middle Ages, Early Modern Germany, Regional History, Women's History, and Labour History. The political topics touched on are: Federal government, State government, Political Parties, Trade Unions, Interest groups, the European Union, and Neo-Nazis.
Picture Credit
The image seen on this page can be found at the following website: http://www.corbis.com
Questions or Comments?
Please feel free to e-mail any questions or comments you may have concerning
this website to me at eliz519@hotmail.com
.