Abstract The paper is a historical examination into the German national movement that began after the Napoleonic Wars in Europe. The desire for unity among the German states, mainly between Prussia and Austria, would eventually be a main reason for World War I and World War II. This in the desire to see a Greater Germany exist as the competing power in Europe by the late 19th and early 20th centuries, as an opposition to English, French and Russian domination of the continent. The paper is divided up into three main parts. The first section gives a history of the Napoleonic Wars and the growing concept of nationalism in the German states under Napoleon. It was this hope for unity that helped push the French back and convince the world that German unity was in the best interest as a buffer to further French aggression. The second part of the paper deals with the unification of the German states and the problems and progress that existed from the time of 1815-1870. The growing industrial movement is heavily discussed as being the backbone to the new German Confederation of states. The rivalry that existed between Austria and Prussia, which eventually splintered Austria from the Confederation, is also discussed and how the German nation became stronger due to a more powerful Prussian influence. A complete investigation into German culture, economics and military system of the 19th century is given in this section in a very detailed manner. Repeated sources from English observers and German politicians give an insight into how Germany began to grow as a European power during the middle 19th century. A huge part of this section deals with the German economy and their desire to match England in terms of economic dominance of Europe. The German economic system is examined, run by a harsh yet amazingly efficient centralized government that maximizes output and production from its workers. Finally, the last section deals with the establishment of the German Empire, and how nationalism completely took over Germany as the predominant unifying factor of the German people. The Franco-Prussian War and the subsequent territorial grabs by Otto Von Bismarck and Kaiser Wilhelm The First are discussed, right up until the outbreak of World War I where Germany has officially taken its place as the predominant military and economic power on the continent.
From the Paper "Throughout the history of Europe, there have been numerous incidents in which a country will affect the entirety of the continent through political, economic or cultural means. These influences upon fellow European countries usually tended to be permanent changes, whether it was the religious division that came upon The Protestant split or The French Revolution's impact on neighboring countries. However, the one event that changed the course of European history and would eventually impact every European nation was the unification of the Germany city-states into a conglomerated country in 1815. Through this development of a united Germany at the Congress of Vienna, Europe would be forever changed and would be forced to compete with Germanic ideals that the new nation would sponsor as it began to build up a nationalistic Germany. What the European powers saw as a means of ending local rivalries and improving economic trade and prosperity to the former states of the Holy Roman Empire, the unification of the German people would taint any optimistic expectations of peaceful coexistence in Europe for the latter half of the 19th century and would take on much more dangerous and bloody connotations as the 20th century unfolded. The united country of Germany, through a series of beliefs and practices that each German citizen began to trust while the country was building itself in the 19th century, would become one of the most dominant and influential nations in European history. These principles were the strong nationalistic feelings that came from the pride and love of what it was to be German, the growing industrial practices that began to be developed in German economic production, and the emphasis on military dignity and strength of the army, coupled with the German tendency to give powerful prominence to German military leaders, would become grounds for building a nation that would tower over the European political environment for years."
Abstract This paper traces the roots of modern nationalism back to the French Revolution and Napoleonic wars and describes how its ideologies affected Europe during the 19th and 20th centuries. The writer of this paper defines nationalism as the right of every citizen and every nation to exist in freedom and to develop its own singularity. The strongest catalyst for European nationalism emerged in the 19th century with the industrial revolution. This paper examines the pros and cons of modern nationalism and discusses how the central European revolution of 1848 sparked a bonfire of nationalism. This paper also explores the effects of nationalism during Hitler's reign.
From the Paper "For modern nationalism was born in the French Revolution and the Napoleonic Wars. Effectively controlled by the French republic during the Reign of Terror, nationalism helped repel France's foreign foes. Meanwhile, all across Europe, patriots tried to kindle nationalist flames in the war against Napoleon. So by 1815 there were already clues of how nationalism could spread and quickly develop. During this early age of nationalism, its proponents usually believed that every nation, like every citizen, had the right to exist in freedom and to develop its singularity."
Abstract This paper explains that the most potent and lasting legacy of East Central Europe is nationalism. The author focuses on differences in terms of national-states and ethnic minorities. The paper relates the political and economic legacies; however, the paper contends that, during and after the Soviet era, the national element had a greater effect on the development of this region.
From the Paper "In the area of East Central Europe, the most potent and lasting legacy is national, centering on differences in terms of national-states and ethnic minorities. What held much of this region together as a nation-state for much of the twentieth century was Communism, not as an ideology but as the external power that kept the ethnic minorities in check by means of force. The peoples of Yugoslavia were linguistically and culturally differentiated after they had migrated to the Balkan Peninsula in the sixth and seventh centuries A.D.."
Abstract This paper uses some of Drakulic's examples of cleavages between Eastern and Western Europe to define the obstacles that stand before a united Europe. It points out that language barriers, currency, nationalism, and distrust are but a few of the aspects that keep Eastern and Western Europe divided, yet many political scientists see a future for Europe in which these cleavages dissolve.
From the Paper "Through encounters with border police, stories of traveling, hygiene, and personal accounts across Europe, Slavenka Draculic, author of Cafe Europa captures many aspects of the strong social and economic cleavages that continue to divide Eastern and Western Europe. The question provoked by the book, that is, the future for Eastern Europe and its acceptance by the West, is a complex one."
An analysis of social and political revolution in Europe in the nineteenth century, based on D. Mason's book "Revolutionary Europe 1789-1989-Liberty, Equality, Solidarity."
Abstract This paper discusses the development of a number of social and political movements based around certain ideas about human behavior and society and the relationship between the two, during the nineteenth century in Europe. The paper focuses its analysis on the genesis, development and progress of these movements in the nineteenth century and how they are described by D. Mason in his book "Revolutionary Europe 1789-1989-Liberty, Equality, Solidarity."
From the Paper "Wollstonecraft was dedicated to the primacy of reason, and it was her belief in reason that permitted her to conceive a world in which women might be seen by the world in a new way, a way that undid the violence of social norms requiring a simple, seemingly serene appearance in women, whose lives were thus molded to fit the dictates of masculine power in society. She also had a freed sensibility that brought her closer to an understanding of the true self. Wollstonecraft's language has a deliberate biblical undertone that is all part of her attempt to restore to women the human right of self-respect. Women resort to artifice in order to place the world, though such assumed feelings are awkward when compared to real feelings. She pleads for women to be seen as they really are. Her view is directly opposite that of Rousseau, though she begins with the same question, noting first that "either nature has made a great difference between man and man, or that the civilization which has hitherto taken place in the world has been very partial" (Wollstonecraft, 1975, p. 7)."
Abstract The paper discusses the book "Revolutions in Europe, 1848-1849: From Reform to Reaction", which examines the revolutionary events that shook Europe in the middle of the nineteenth century. The paper describes how ordinary people began to publicly express nationalist fervor and join in mass protests against the reactionary authorities who had held political and governmental power in the aftermath of the Napoleonic Wars. The paper expresses the opinion that the authors and editors of the book provide a systematic and comprehensive analysis of these revolutionary events.
From the Paper "Beginning in that year the continent of Europe was rocked by revolt and rebellion, most especially in the German-speaking lands of central Europe, where ordinary people began to publicly express nationalist fervor and joined in mass popular protests against the reactionary authorities who had held political and governmental power in the aftermath of the Napoleonic Wars."
"The historical essays in this book explain that in 1848 and 1849, German peasants, workers, and artisans joined together to rebel against the Metternich system, inspired by ideals of nationalism and national self-determination. In analyzing their role, the authors note that they were all motivated by the same basic political and economic ideals, for they realized that their governments had little if any interest in their welfare and viewed them with contempt and condescension. Weary of oppression, millions of ordinary Europeans realized for the first time in their lives that they could effect political change through public resistance to authority. (Evans 25)"
A research study looking at the impact nationalism has had on Europe and, in particular, the way in which nationalism as an ideological concept is perceived and understood.
Abstract This paper explores the assumption that the views and theories about nationalism are to a great extent determined by the dominant theories, philosophies and perceptions of the age. In this sense it is a contention of this paper that modern nationalism needs to be understood within the context of the broader issues of modern and postmodern speculative thought. This paper also attempts to ascertain the way that theorists and thinkers over the years have understood and influenced the concept and ideology of nationalism. The study therefore provides an overview of the salient most cogent theories and perspectives on the changing views of nationalism. Additionally, the paper attempts to refer these theories and counter theories to actual contemporary situations.
Table of Contents
Introduction
What is Nationalism?
Nationalism and Ideology
Cultural Nationalism Romanticism and Nationalism Nationalism as a Social Construction
Hobsbawm and Geller
Summations and Reflections
From the Paper "It is something of a truism to say that ethnic and nationalist movements have become a dominant force in the world in the past century. It is also relatively easy to forecast that the future of Europe will be shaped to a great extent by nationalistic imperatives and philosophies. One only has to look at the recent history of Eastern Europe and the Balkans for general and tentative conformation of these assumptions. The collapse of the Soviet Union and the fragmentation of the region have allowed nationalisms and ethnic groups to emerge in many areas. And, according to modern theorists of nationalism, we are also seeing the invention of new "nationalisms" that are being constructed by political and ideological forces - sometimes with devastating consequences."
This paper defines the origins of the modern nation-state as it is traced directly to the political developments in Europe at the beginning of the sixteenth century.
Abstract The writer uses the work of George A. Kourvetaris and his concepts of state, government, nation, and nation-state to build the essay. He states that these concepts are closely related, but not identical. Kourvetaris defines the nation as being sociological, but considers the state as more a political, legal, and territorial construct (Kourvetaris, p.58).
From the Paper "In contrast, a nation can exist without its having a formal government. The concept of "nation" is very closely linked to the existence of ethnic, cultural, religious, or social groupings. While it is most common for the nation and the state to be politically congruent, there are many examples of national groupings that do not have a state that exists independently. The concept of "nation-state" expresses the political ideal of each national group having its own state, recognized formally by other nation-states."
Abstract This paper looks at the history of nationalism and its foundation on early Christianity in Europe and Islam in the Middle East and how ideas of national identity were once part of religious identity. The paper also discusses the change to international secularism as a result of the Lutheran Reformation and subsequent diaspora of Christian sects.
From the Paper "For a long time it was believed that religion played a large part in the formation of a nationalist culture in a country. Recently, however, it seems that religion is less necessary for a country to be nationalistic in recent years. Nationalism is the idea that your country is an important part of your identity, and that the maintenance and success of your country is fundamentally important to you. In many parts of the world, early forms of nationalism were based on religious beliefs and practices that the people of those countries held in common, but gradually religion lost importance in nationalism and had to be replaced with other things. Religious belief and nationalism were the major defining features of citizenship in the medieval world, but at some point this changed."
Abstract On June 28, 1914, a Bosnian nationalist terrorist, Gavrilo Princip, shot and killed Austrian Archduke Franz Ferdinand and his wife Sophie in Sarajevo.This paper discusses the various causes of the First World War in 1914. In particular, it examines the relationships around Europe and the participant powers and how it affected the war.
From the Paper "Since the beginning of history, human emotions and sensibilities have been used and misused by nations and empires in war. Nationalism, ethnicity, and government systems have all been utilized as wedges to make the people of one country the moral superiors to another, to create the mindset to justify organized killing without remorse or feeling."
This paper is an analysis of the development of the European Union following the Second World War as seen by T. R. Reid in his book "The United States of Europe".
Abstract The paper is an examination and review of T.R. Reid's book "The United States of Europe". The author of the paper contends that for the greater part of the 20th century following World War II, Europe has sought to rebuild, reorganize and remake itself into a viable economic force in the modern world and that Reid's book helps us understand the process that the continent of Europe has undergone. The writer focuses primarily on Reid's description and analysis of the development of the European Union as a force for social and economic development.
From the Paper "During the early 20th century the continent of Europe was subjected to two devastating conflicts. Historians would dub these conflicts as World War I and World War II. Never before had the world seen such death and destruction, all in a span of 30 years. From the smoking rubble and bloody carnage, that was Europe following World War II, was born the idea of a United Europe. This inspiration was born and brought forth by a group of visionaries that today are celebrated for their ideas and achievements. The visionaries that I speak of, some already lauded for their wartime accomplishments were none other than Winston Churchill, the former Prime Minister of Britain, Robert Schumann, an infamous French underground fighter, who would later also become Prime Minister of France and a little known brandy salesman whose name was Jean Monnet."
Tags: world war europe union socialism, winston churchill, robert schumann, jean monnet, maastricht treaty
Abstract This paper explains why economic development was such a crucial question in Eastern Europe during the period 1918-1939. The three countries discussed are Hungary, Poland, and Romania.
Tags: EUROPEAN STUDIES (HISTORY, CULTURE) / EASTERN EUROPE, RUSSIA, development eastern europe
This paper examines the development of the punishment and justice system in Europe as detailed in Michael Foucault's "Discipline and Punish: The Birth of the Prison."
Abstract This paper reviews the landmark book "Discipline and Punish: The Birth of the Prison," written by French philosopher Michel Foucault which explores the development of punishment in Europe. This fact-filled paper details and describes the stages of public torture used in 18th century Europe as well as the more modern incarceration techniques, some of which are still in use today. This paper discusses the system of old monarchical law in which the body of the criminal belonged to the sovereign and torture and public execution were frequently used. The goal of the prison system was, and still is, to reform criminals by way of physical and behavior modification which is forced upon them behind prison walls.
From the Paper "Both the old monarchical system of punishment and the newer system of incarceration relied upon coercion. The old monarchical system was obviously coercive, since punishment was public and severe. The sovereign had possession of the convict's body; the state could therefore do as it saw fit. Similarly, the prison system was coercive since it forced prisoners to abide by extremely rigid schedules. Prisoners had set wake-up times, set work times, set meals times. Within the system, there were punishments for deviating from the routine. The gentle way in punishment, however, attempted to be not coercive, but persuasive. There were several ways in which the gentle way in punishment attempts to be persuasive. One way was through the lack of arbitrariness of punishment. Punishment must be seen as being inseparably linked to the particular crime."
Abstract This paper discusses the ancient roots of Nordic Aryans in Europe, including why they perceive themselves to be a pure race. It expands on the entrance of IndoEuropeans to Europe. The author explores why the Nordic Aryans are considered a race.
Abstract This paper explains that the Concert of Europe was an arrangement set up by the Congress of Vienna in 1815. The author points out that it consisted of a loose agreement between four great powers---Russia, Prussia, Britain and Austria---to keep the peace and maintain territorial integrity. The paper relates that this body set itself up to settle disputes in Europe and preserve the status quo in terms of boundaries.
From the Paper "After the defeat of Napoleon, the Congress of Vienna was held in to recreate the balance of power and set new boundaries and to guard against future French hegemony. It also dealt with international issues such as the slave trade, the rules of ..."
