Pick one of three topics about Modern Europe history - Essay Example

Modern Europe History: Question 2 Role of Nationalism Insert Insert Nationalism is the inherent depiction of one’s belief in their country and portraying an attachment towards it. It is a show of togetherness and goes beyond differences with regard to developing and agenda for the common good of the country. The episodes of modern Europe in history elaborate on the various actions and major events that shaped nationalism. They affected the state in a positive and negative ways altogether building up the current nations.

The events include the French revolution, the Napoleonic war, unification of Italy and Germany, revolution of the year 1848 and the World War I.The French revolution took place within the period 1789 and 1799 in Europe history and is the most active politically and socially with upheavals. The participants majorly included country liberals and radicals with a common agenda to take the country to the next governance stage (Voices from the battle of the Somme, 1990). In my view, the events shaped the history of Europe positively and brought into the minds of many people demand democracies and republican as opposed to theocracies and absolute monarchies.

The revolution was full of warlike activities and global conflicts, which stretched the Caribbean towards the Middle East. It marked an imperative change phase for the entire Europe continent (sieyes, 1998).The unity among citizens of a nation and the spirit to fight for a country was evident in the Napoleonic war where Emperor Napoleon in the French empire led to marked series of coveted conflicts against many powers and coalitions in the continent Europe. The European armies were the immediate reformed agents from the war.

The use of mass conscription was the major idea adopted across the Europe nation played by the Napoleon armies. It strengthened the governance of French across most Europe nations. It is recorded that out of a total more than 50 battles; Napoleon only lost less than 10 battles (Walter, 1992). Other leaders have regarded the determination in the mind of the ruler as paramount in many nations when they rely upon military defense. Marking the end of the rule was the waterloo defeat. Arms and battles do not safeguard countries in my view better yet the events under the rule helped to strengthen belief and attachment to their countries by fighting for it.

The unification of Italy and Germany was probably the foundation of modern nationalism. The year 1848 was a rest from the upheavals that swept across Europe where the liberals and nationalists who participated in the events took a new turn by deciding to cooperate and support their governments as opposed to trying opposition strategies. The act is a show of nationalism and a belief to safeguard its borders by peace. The current government regimes found them utterly helpful and incorporated them into policymaking and reformations.

In turn, the separate nations grew stronger (Bismarck, 1996). Individual nations were growing stronger day by day hence a stable balance of power preventing the war for the years before 1854. The bloodiest of battles seen by Count Cavour the chief Minister of Piedmont-Sardinia demanded a rest. Cavour decided to persuade Emperor Napoleon III leading to the Italian kingdom expansion. Liberal uprising faced Germany from 1848 onwards marked by student and liberal demands (Bismarck, 1996). They required a grant constitution and elected an assembly.

The events shaped the nationalism aspects of a country to date by curtailing the actions of Otto Von and Prussia.The revolution of 1848 was characterized by nations springing up marked by upheavals throughout Europe. It only lasted a year after which opposing forces came back to power. The demands for the revolution were adoption of the democratic nature of leadership. The reformers, middle class, and workers led the opposition by driving into them positive belief in themselves. Thousands lost lives while others fled to exile influencing negatively on the nationalism and the economic development (Voices from the battle of the Somme, 1990).

The positive aspects of the 1848 revolution were abolition that faced serfdom, absolute monarchy in Denmark and the Capetian monarchy in France.Colonial expansions were the major events together with accompanying ideologies in the new imperialism. It started around 1830 towards the start of the World War I. The individual kingdoms had an urge to expand their territories, which is at the core of modern nationalism. Positive development and embrace of technology became the priorities of the governments of the day.

Conquests were the chosen course of actions and utility of resources was huge. The resources were affected greatly yet the battle brought reforms in the governance of nations (Hobson, 1994).World War 1 was a global magnitude war with a central Europe angle. It started in 1914 through 1918 and helped to enhance the essence of nationalism. The negative aspects of the war activities were the over 7 million deaths. Constructively it paved way for political changes. Great economic powers came into alliances and opposing factions (Voices from the battle of the Somme, 1990).

Modern nationalism is an activity, which helped the European nations to secure their borders and built the belief in its citizens. French revolution, the war, and unity procedures enabled the nations built the peace and developed policies that enhanced cohesion. It set the pace for modern democracies and stability in governments. Policies were developed to suit the common good of citizens by ensuring the environment is suitable for economic development. ReferencesBismarck, O. V. (1996). Reflections and reminiscences: speech to the Reichstag.

Choices review online 70-74.Hobson, J. (1994). Imperialism, 1902. Choices review online 75-78.sieyes, A. (1998). What is the third estate: French revolution? Choice reviews Online, 1-9.Voices from the battle of the Somme. (1990). war and revolution. choices review online 83-88.Walter, J. (1992). Diary of a Napoleonic Foot Soldier. choice reviews online, 24-32.