The Destructive Side of Nationalism

Europe after the Congress of Vienna- 1815

Austria: Land of Many Peoples Germans comprise the largest ethnic group in the Austrian Empire- 12 million Magyars (aka Hungarians) are the second largest ethnic group- 10 million Czechs and Slovaks- 8.5 million Poles- 5 million Ukrainians, Romanians, Croats, Serbs, Slovenes, Italians million autonomy Each ethnic group had its own language and culture, and wanted autonomy (self-government) within the empire

Emperor Francis I Narrow Minded Hostile to reform Suspicious of new ideas “Rule, and change nothing.” Do you think he’s a conservative? Tried to control his citizens through censorship and spies Books that criticized the government were banned

1848: The original “Year that Shook the World” Often called the “Spring of Nations” or “Springtime of the Peoples” Over 50 Countries Affected Age of Metternich A Europe-wide collapse of traditional authority and the official end of the Age of Metternich Began in France, and quickly spread to the rest of Europe and Latin America Five factors were involved: the widespread dissatisfaction with the political leadership; the demand for more participation and democracy; the demands of the working classes; the upsurge of nationalism; and finally, the regrouping of the reactionary forces based in the royalty, the aristocracy, the army, and the peasants

Feelings of Nationalism Lead to Revolt The Magyars (Hungarians) were the first people to revolt within the Austrian Empire; inspired by the revolution in France Led by Lajos Kossuth Lawyer Great public speaker Favored a complete break with Austria

The “Dead Hand” Kossuth urged Hungarians to remove “the dead hand” of the government in Vienna His speeches inspired revolts throughout the empire Early success eventually ends in defeat Austrians call in the Russian army to help quell the rebellion. By 1849, Austrians once again have complete control of the empire The only lasting change that was a result of the revolution was the abolition of serfdom Kossuth is forced to flee to America

A New Emperor- Francis Joseph Comes to power in 1848 during the time of the revolution Only 18 years old Tries to put the empire back by stamping out ethnic differences German becomes the language of the government and schools Tried to get rid of differences in customs and laws What do you think was the effect?

War Changes Things Austria gets its butt kicked by Prussia in the Seven Weeks’ War (1866). It just doesn’t lose land, but prestige also. Francis Joseph changes his tune; he has to hold onto what’s left of his empire Seems odd, but in order to save the empire, he must split it in two (remember Diocletian and the Roman Empire???) Hence, the Compromise of 1867!

Compromise of 1867 equal united Separates the Austrian Empire into two equal but united countries. Hungary has its own government and controls its own domestic affairs, but the two countries adhere to a single foreign policy. (Sounds like the U.S.A., right?) Magyar becomes the official language of Hungary Ausgleich The compromise becomes known as the “Ausgleich” or separation Austria-Hungary Austro-Hungarian Empire The empire is now known as Austria-Hungary, or the Austro-Hungarian Empire

The Empire of Austria-Hungary

Was the Problem Solved? Austrians Happy Hungarians Happy Other ethnic groups, especially the Slavs were not. Anybody who didn’t adhere to the German or Magyar languages and customs was not able to get ahead When Austria-Hungary annexes Bosnia and Herzegovina (1908), Serbian nationalists were upset because they wanted those territories in order to create a Slavic Empire with Serbia taking the lead Slavic nationalism was about to explode World War I looms on the horizon!

The New Balance of Power in Europe

Modern-Day Examples of the Effect of Nationalism Czechoslovakia- breaks into the Czech Republic and Slovakia in 1993 Yugoslavia broke into several independent countries in the 1990s- Slovenia, Croatia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Macedonia, Montenegro, and Serbia The Soviet Union broke up into 15 independent republics French Canadians continue to push for independence African nations received their independence from European colonial empires in the 1950s and 1960s as a result of nationalist movements (Our next topic of study!!!)