nationalist tensions emerge
Why did nationalist tensions emerge in the Balkans?
(i) Many ethnic groups inhabited the Balkan territories.
(ii) The Ottoman Empire dominated the entire region which was on the verge of its decline.
(iii) At the same time, even the ethnic groups of the Slavic-Balkans could not live without being influenced by liberal and nationalist ideas. Hence all these ethnic groups started demanding individual nation state for themselves.
(iv) In this period, a sour relationship between them thrived. There was often a bitter struggle in them.
(v) They all wanted to grab maximum territory for themselves.
(vi) Forces like Russia, Germany, England, Austo-Hungary wanted to increase their influence in the region by weakening the hold of other powers over the Balkans.
(vii) He also planned to establish naval dominance in Europe by controlling the Balkan waters.
For all these reasons nationalist tensions arose in the Balkan territories.
Write in brief
1. Write a note on:
a) Guiseppe Mazzini
b) Count Camillo de Cavour
c) The Greek war of independence
d) Frankfurt parliament
e) The role of women in nationalist struggles
2. What steps did the French revolutionaries take to create a sense of collective
identity among the French people?
3. Who were Marianne and Germania? What was the importance of the way in
which they were portrayed?
4. Briefly trace the process of German unification.
5. What changes did Napoleon introduce to make the administrative system more
efficient in the territories ruled by him?
Discuss
1. Explain what is meant by the 1848 revolution of the liberals. What were the political, social
and economic ideas supported by the liberals?
2. Choose three examples to show the contribution of culture to the growth of nationalism
in Europe.
3. Through a focus on any two countries, explain how nations developed over the nineteenth
century.
4. How was the history of nationalism in Britain unlike the rest of Europe?
5. Why did nationalist tensions emerge in the Balkans?