Nationalism in Europe - Essay Example

One of the most important events which occurred in the historic period before 1877 was the emergence of nationalism throughout Europe. This one concept actually challenged the whole of humanity while worsening the state of future generations. Being Captain History I would travel to the early nineteenth century in order to tackle the issues of nationalism while eliminating it from the world’s historic records.

Nationalism has its roots in the Romantic exaltation and liberalism. It was the fundamental reason which divided people among uncountable groups and later provoked hatred in these groups. For instance, the Romantic exaltation induced the concept of ‘identity’ among the Europeans while enabling them to distinguish themselves on the basis of religion, culture, language, and traditions. Hence the country’s interests were put below the national interest primarily guarded by a particular group residing in the society (Nationalism). This was a very significant event in the prehistoric era as it is now considered the major cause of World War I. Moreover, before the inducement of nationalism, governments were made and sustained on the basis of the sovereignty of God, imperial domination, or in relation to a specific dynasty. These governments were more successful in terms of prevailing justice among their people. However, once the European population became aware of nationalism and started practicing it, thereafter liberalism took over them. Liberalism removed the domination of religions from government formations and law enforcement agencies while extending the maximum authority to the ‘people’ or general citizens (Nationalism). This underlying concept of liberalism is now practiced in the form of democracy. Today historians believe that if nationalism was not introduced in the early nineteenth century then there were significant chances that the world’s most devastating wars had never erupted.

Hence being Captain History I picked up this event to make the world a better place to live today. On my way back to the nineteenth century I will closely analyze nationalism and thereafter I will identify its precipitating factors. For instance, people in the late eighteenth century were facing immense societal problems and injustice which actually encouraged them to accept nationalism so that every individual could safeguard its rights while practicing power over the disadvantaged groups of the society. Consequently, I will establish a global organization in the early nineteenth century in order to protect the rights of people while giving equivalent opportunities to every country. The organization will be made on the outline of the United Nations Organization with a chief General Secretary who will evaluate and analyze the problems of different nations residing in the same country. Thereafter the secretary would require spreading global peace while removing the concept of nationalism.

People in the early nineteenth century were significantly backward in terms of technological advancements and communication systems. Therefore, it would be highly challenging for me to initiate such a global organization. Hence I would carry some of the most reliable and appropriate technological equipment to the historic period. This would not only help me in establishing a global peace organization but it will also assist the scientists of that period. Eventually, the foundation of nationalism shall be removed from history whereas people in the contemporary world would experience more advanced technology.            

The exclusion of nationalism from the nineteenth century will actually guarantee a better future because historic records reveal that nationalism was followed by alliance politics. Mutual defense alliance is the most obvious example which was formed due to the similar nationalist approach among the European countries. As per the agreement between different countries such as Russia and Serbia, Austria and Germany, France and Russia, Britain and Japan, France, Belgium, and Britain, the governments were forced to safeguard each other’s territories. Hence if one country declares war against another country then its ally was supposed to help it. This eventually turned into a World War by the beginning of the twentieth century.

Although the importance of nationalism in the initiation of World War I is underestimated by the contemporary analysts research indicates that it was the peculiar attitude of people. This divided them among nationalities while convincing the governments to form alliances and pronounce world wars against one another. The elimination of nationalism from history will further eradicate the chances of World War II, the atomic attack on Japan, the Holocaust, and the present-day wars including the Afghanistan and Iraq invasions. Ultimately the world will transform into a better place to live in with extensive trade and business opportunities and excellent technologies.