Liberalism and Nationalism: The Transformation of 19th Century Europe

The Evolution and Extension of Liberalism in Europe

The Revolutions of 1820: Subversive Liberalism

Following the Restoration, liberalism became an underground ideology. These anti-absolutist uprisings ultimately failed.

The Revolutions of 1830: Liberalism in Power

These movements brought liberals to power in many states:

• France: Introduced a constitutional monarchy.
• Belgium: Achieved independence from the Netherlands.
• Spain and Portugal: Established liberal governments.

However, grassroots groups remained excluded from government.

The Revolutions of 1848: Democracy vs. Conservatism

Beginning in France with the proclamation of the Second Republic, these revolutionary waves spread across other states. These movements saw greater participation from the working classes, who demanded increased democracy and social equality.

The Consequences of Revolutions

By the mid-nineteenth century, labor ideas had gained influence in Western Europe, and serfdom had been abolished in Central and Eastern Europe.

Nationalism: The Unification of Italy and Germany

Nationalism is a political ideology asserting that the nation is the fundamental unit of human life, with the ultimate goal that each nation possesses its own state.

The Evolution and Extension of Nationalism

• Nationalist independence movements: Fought to separate the nation from foreign powers (e.g., Greece from the Turkish Empire; Belgium from the Netherlands).
• Unionist nationalist movements: Fought to unite a divided nation into a single state.

The Unification of Italy

Italy was divided into seven states. Unification was led by the Kingdom of Piedmont-Sardinia under King Victor Emmanuel II:

• Central territories joined Piedmont.
• Garibaldi conquered the southern territories.
• The Kingdom of Italy was subsequently proclaimed.

The Unification of Germany

The Germanic Confederation comprised 39 states. Unification was achieved in two stages:

1. Prussia vs. Austria: The defeat of Austria allowed for the unification of the North German states.
2. Prussia vs. France: Following the Battle of Sedan, the South German states were integrated.