Nationalism refers to the love for one’s country. Nationalism is a belief system that inculcates a sense of common identity in the members of a country. The idea of nationalism is developed and strengthened by national flag, national anthem, national symbol, among other national symbols, which are significant factors used to identify one nation. Nationalism in Europe dates back to the collapse of feudalism and the starting of the Renaissance. New political ideas were fostered by the Renaissance in Europe. In the 19th century, quite a number of European countries encountered heightened periods of nationalism.
Alvis asserts that the nations in Europe were not the way they are currently before mid 19th century. Various multi-national dynamic empires ruled different regions in Europe. These were monarchies that enjoyed complete power over their subjects. Development of the nationalism ideas was supported by the different technological and the resultant social changes. The procedure of developing nation states started in 1789 with the beginning of the French Revolution. It took approximately 100 years for the concept of nationalism to earn strong shape that led to the formation of France as a democratic nation state. Other parts of Europe followed this trend and resulted to the development of the current democratic systems in many parts of the world at the start of the 20th century.
According to Woolf, the major social and political change in the history of France and Europe at large was affected significantly by the French revolution that started in 1789 and ended in 1799. Other European countries were threatened immensely by the French Revolution. As a result, the revolution became a motivation and a guideline for all communists and revolutionaries. The Monarchy, The Church, and Aristocracy supported immensely the Conservatism that reigned in Europe after 1815. Declaration of the rights of man and the citizen was the classic statement of the liberalism. Nationalism came up with an idea that all people who have a common culture and language should form their own states.
The nationalistic movement, which began among a small group of influential people spread gradually to make its influence felt across society. A series of revolutions shook the entire Europe since 1848 until 1852. The feelings of the nationalists were extensive among middle-class Germans who attempted to unite the different areas of the German confederation in 1848 into a nation-state governed by an elected parliament.
In conclusion, nationalism in Europe was of great significance despite the fact that it took long time to be effective. We should therefore embrace and support nationalism not only in Europe, but across the world.