Detailed and precise notes of Chapter 1: The Rise of Nationalism in Europe from the Class 10 NCERT History Book, adhering to the CBSE pattern:

Chapter 1: The Rise of Nationalism in Europe


1. Introduction:


The concept of nationalism emerged in Europe in the 19th century.

Prior to the rise of nationalism, Europe was divided into different kingdoms with varied cultures.

Frederic Sorrieu, a French artist, prepared a series of four prints in 1848 visualizing a world made up of democratic and social republics, highlighting his dream of a unified world under the concepts of nationalism and liberalism.

2. The French Revolution and the Idea of the Nation:

The French Revolution of 1789 laid the foundation for modern nationalism.

The revolutionaries introduced various measures and practices that could create a sense of collective identity among the French people:

Introduction of a new national flag (the tricolour).

The Estate General was renamed the National Assembly.

Uniform laws were established across the nation.

French became the national language, replacing regional dialects.

Napoleon Bonaparte (who rose to power in 1799) spread these revolutionary ideas across Europe through his conquests.

3. Napoleon and the Civil Code:

In 1804, Napoleon Bonaparte introduced the Civil Code of 1804, also known as the Napoleonic Code:

It abolished feudal privileges and ensured equality before the law.

It secured the right to property.

However, his expansionist policies were met with resistance as they seemed like an imposition of French control.

4. The Age of Revolutions (1830–1848):

1830s: A period of revolutions across Europe due to the spread of nationalism and liberalism.

Revolts occurred in regions like France, Belgium, and Greece.

The July Revolution of 1830 in France led to the overthrow of the Bourbon monarchy and the installation of a constitutional monarchy.

Greek War of Independence (1821): Greeks revolted against Ottoman rule, supported by other European powers. Greece became independent in 1832.

5. Romanticism and National Feeling:

Romanticism was a cultural movement that played a crucial role in nationalism.

It focused on emotions, intuition, and glorified the past, especially folk culture, traditions, and languages.

Johann Gottfried Herder, a German philosopher, believed that true German culture could be discovered among the common people (das Volk).

6. The Revolution of 1848:

A wave of revolutions took place across Europe in 1848.

In France, a republic was proclaimed after the monarchy was overthrown.

Germany, Italy, Poland, and Austro-Hungarian Empire witnessed uprisings demanding constitutions, civil liberties, and independence.

These revolts, however, were largely suppressed by conservative forces.

7. Unification of Germany:

Germany was a collection of small kingdoms, principalities, and duchies.

The unification of Germany was led by Otto von Bismarck, the Prime Minister of Prussia.

Prussia defeated Denmark, Austria, and France, leading to the declaration of the German Empire in 1871, with Kaiser William I becoming the Emperor of unified Germany.

8. Unification of Italy:

Italy was also divided into several states and was dominated by foreign powers.

Leaders like Giuseppe Mazzini, Count Cavour, and Giuseppe Garibaldi played a pivotal role.

Mazzini formed Young Italy and propagated the idea of a united Italy.

Count Cavour, the Prime Minister of Sardinia-Piedmont, allied with France to drive out the Austrians.

Garibaldi led the famous Expedition of the Thousand to conquer southern Italy.

In 1861, Italy was declared a united kingdom with Victor Emmanuel II as its first king.

9. Nationalism and Imperialism:

In the last quarter of the 19th century, nationalism became associated with imperialism.

European powers like Britain, France, Germany, and Italy pursued aggressive imperial expansion, leading to the colonization of Asian and African territories.

The emergence of Balkan nationalism in southeastern Europe, fueled by the decline of the Ottoman Empire, became one of the causes of the First World War.

Key Terms:

Nationalism: The belief that people with a common language, culture, and history should form a sovereign nation.

Liberalism: The ideology that advocates for civil liberties, individual rights, and political freedoms.

Conservatism: A political ideology that emphasizes the importance of maintaining tradition and established institutions.

Romanticism: A cultural movement focusing on emotions, glorification of the past, and folk traditions.

Important Figures:

Frederic Sorrieu: French artist, famous for his paintings envisioning democratic and social republics.

Napoleon Bonaparte: French military leader who spread the ideals of the French Revolution across Europe.

Otto von Bismarck: Leader of the unification of Germany.

Giuseppe Mazzini: Italian nationalist and founder of Young Italy.

Count Cavour: Prime Minister of Sardinia-Piedmont, a key figure in Italian unification.

Giuseppe Garibaldi: Nationalist leader who led military campaigns for Italian unification.


Key Dates:

1789: The French Revolution begins.

1804: Napoleonic Code introduced.

1830: The July Revolution in France.

1848: The year of revolutions across Europe.

1871: The unification of Germany.

1861: The unification of Italy.