5.4 Nation States in the Period from 1750 to 1900

Defining the Nation-State

A nation-state is a political unit where the government's authority coincides with a population that shares a common identity — language, culture, history, or ethnicity. This concept spread after the French Revolution, replacing older loyalties to monarchs, empires, or religion with loyalty to a nation. It became the dominant model for organizing states worldwide.

Nationalism as a Unifying (and Dividing) Force

Nationalism — pride in and loyalty to one's nation — fueled unification movements. Italian unification (led by Cavour and Garibaldi) and German unification (led by Otto von Bismarck through *realpolitik* and wars) merged fragmented states into single nations. Nationalism also encouraged independence movements among minority groups within multiethnic empires like Austria-Hungary and the Ottoman Empire.

Nationalism's Darker Side

Nationalism could justify exclusion and conflict: it fostered ideas of ethnic or cultural superiority, contributing to discrimination, forced assimilation of minorities, and competition among European powers that fed imperialism and rising tensions. Zionism among Jewish populations also emerged as a nationalist response to persecution, seeking a homeland.

Key terms

Nation-state

A political unit where government authority coincides with a population sharing a common identity (language, culture, history).

Nationalism

Pride in and loyalty to one's nation; drove both unification movements and exclusionary conflicts.

Otto von Bismarck

Prussian statesman who unified Germany using realpolitik and a series of strategic wars.

Cavour and Garibaldi

Key leaders of Italian unification; Cavour used diplomacy, Garibaldi led military conquest.

Zionism

A Jewish nationalist movement seeking to establish a homeland, emerging largely as a response to persecution in Europe.

Try an AP-style question

Bismarck's realpolitik emphasized…

1. practical power politics over ideals
2. pacifism
3. moral principles above all
4. democratic elections