The Development of Nationalism Background to

Development of Nationalism Many different factors influence the development of nationalism Historical Geographical Political Economic Social These ideas work together to create a sense of nationalism amongst the people who experience common influences from these factors.

Development of Nationalism The idea of Nationalism is most notably identified with the ideals and actions seen in the French Revolution. Many of the roots of nationalism can be seen earlier with the ideals represented in other past civilizations.

Greek Nationalism Greek nationalism is one of loyalty to the “city- state”. Greeks identified both as Greeks and as “Athenians” or “Spartans” Their nationalistic tendencies often resulted in wars with neighboring city-states They had democratic principles of government that helped create the common sense of nation amongst the Greek peoples

Roman Empire At its height, the Roman empire stretched across 6.5 million square kilometres and because of its vast network, influences on language, philosophy, law and government continue to influence nations around the world to this day. The strong influence the Romans had on the subjugated populations can be seen as one link to early nationalism as the people within the empire worked together for the common goals of the empire.

Hammurabi Hammurabi was a ruler in Babylon around 1800 BCE. He created a set of laws that were essentially the first written laws of a nation. This can be seen as a form of early nationalism through government by codifying the laws and governing all Babylonians by them.

Factors in the development of French Nationalism Before 1789 France was an Absolute Monarchy with a feudal society that subjugated the peasants in favor of the Catholic clergy and aristocracy. Before 1789 France was an Absolute Monarchy with a feudal society that subjugated the peasants in favor of the Catholic clergy and aristocracy. Absolutism: a system where the monarch is given the power to rule the land and the people by the divine right of kings. This meant that the monarch’s actions were answerable only to God. Absolutism: a system where the monarch is given the power to rule the land and the people by the divine right of kings. This meant that the monarch’s actions were answerable only to God.

Factors in the development of French Nationalism For over 1000 years ( CE) families lived primarily in small communities with very little outside contact with the larger world. For over 1000 years ( CE) families lived primarily in small communities with very little outside contact with the larger world. In France during this time, a political system known as the ancien regime was in place. In France during this time, a political system known as the ancien regime was in place. French society was divided into three estates: the First Estate (Roman Catholic clergy), the Second Estate (the nobility), and the Third Estate (serfs and the rest of the population). French society was divided into three estates: the First Estate (Roman Catholic clergy), the Second Estate (the nobility), and the Third Estate (serfs and the rest of the population). Membership in each estate was established by birth and law. Membership in each estate was established by birth and law.

King First Estate: The Roman Catholic clergy A male dominated estate people Exempt from paying taxes Had power to make political decisions Second Estate: The nobility people Land owners exempt from paying taxes Had political decision making power Enjoyed privileges not enjoyed by the Third Estate (luxury time) Third Estate: Serfs/peasants, merchants (bourgeoisie), and artisans/workers people (mostly serfs) Could not own land Paid HEAVY taxes Little/no political power

The First Estate  The Clergy administered the church, ran schools, kept birth and death records and cared for the poor.  To support church activities a tithe was taken.  The Church owned large amounts of property. (about 20% of all land)  The clergy were priests and monks drawn from the Second and Third Estates  Some members of the clergy identified with some of the issues from the Third Estate

The Second Estate Made up less than 2% of the population. Many enjoyed great wealth. Often were officers in the army or high officials in the church. Held fast to their traditional privileges and power.

The Third Estate Made up 90% of the total population. Divided into different sections the most prominent being the bourgeoisie. Bourgeoisie included prosperous merchants, manufacturers, educated lawyers, doctors, store keepers, etc.

The Bourgeoisie  Resented privileges of the nobles  Believed in the ideas from the Age of Enlightenment  Called for extensive tax reform  Opposed being dictated to by clergy and nobility

Estates-General  A meeting of all three estates to discuss law and issues  Each estate had one vote (even though the Third Estate made up more than 90% of the population) and the First and Second Estate often voted together to overpower the Third Estate

Enlightenment The ideas shared by philosophers revolving around the idea of reason as legitimacy for power… no longer blind acceptance of dictatorial rule Montesquieu, Voltaire, and Rousseau (philosophes) questioned the authority of the monarch and the Church in their writings.

Montesquieu In a True state of nature, indeed, all men are born equal, but they cannot continue in this equality. Society makes them lose it, and they recover it only by the protection of laws.- The Spirit of Laws: Book VIII, ch. 3 (1748) Believed in the “Separation of Powers”

Voltaire Francois-Marie Arouet was better known by his pen- name Voltaire Francois-Marie Arouet was better known by his pen- name Voltaire All men would then necessarily be equal, if they were without needs. It is the poverty connected with out species which subordinates one man to another. It is not inequality which is the real misfortune, it is dependence.- Dictionnaire philosophique portatif (1764) All men would then necessarily be equal, if they were without needs. It is the poverty connected with out species which subordinates one man to another. It is not inequality which is the real misfortune, it is dependence.- Dictionnaire philosophique portatif (1764) Defended civil liberties, freedom of religion and free trade. Defended civil liberties, freedom of religion and free trade.

Rousseau Jean-Jacques Rousseau believed in the natural “goodness” of humanity in a state of nature… that without constraints, humans would naturally be good people because of their freedom. Jean-Jacques Rousseau believed in the natural “goodness” of humanity in a state of nature… that without constraints, humans would naturally be good people because of their freedom. Man is born free, and everywhere he is in chains. One man thinks himself the master of others, but remains more of a slave than they.- The Social Contract (1762) Man is born free, and everywhere he is in chains. One man thinks himself the master of others, but remains more of a slave than they.- The Social Contract (1762)

Philosophes  In general they believed in freedom of will and education for all  This played into the hands of many people discontented with the French system and helped develop some of the grievances felt in the days before the revolution.  By the 18 th century (1700’s) the bourgeoisie demanded changes to the ancien regime. With greater education and literacy, they came to resent the arrogance of the First and Second Estates and they heavy taxes they were forced to pay without receipt of any benefits.

Geographic Factors The people of France were brought together within the feudal system, but were tied even closer by their language. The people of France were brought together within the feudal system, but were tied even closer by their language. In 1539 King Francis I made a law that made French the official language of France. In 1539 King Francis I made a law that made French the official language of France. This allowed the discontinuation of all the different dialects across the regions, and allowed people to communicate more quickly and easily. This allowed the discontinuation of all the different dialects across the regions, and allowed people to communicate more quickly and easily.

Economic Factors By 1789 France was virtually bankrupt By 1789 France was virtually bankrupt The wars waged by France were costly, and the majority of the burden was shouldered by the Third Estate The wars waged by France were costly, and the majority of the burden was shouldered by the Third Estate Preceding the revolution rumors of unemployment and food shortages were rampant Preceding the revolution rumors of unemployment and food shortages were rampant With tax exemptions for the First and Second Estates, resentment grew and nationalism emerged With tax exemptions for the First and Second Estates, resentment grew and nationalism emerged