1EUROPEAN NATIONALISM The nineteenth century was not only a period of liberalism and equality, the epitome of individuality and civic rights but the situation in the European region also ushered a serious threat to the apparent tranquillity. It was the national sentiment that emerged in every corner of Europe from Britain in the West to Russia in the East (Perry, 356). For some of the scholars, the emergence of regional nationalism in Europe created hatred and disrespect for other cultures and a negative mindset had been created where people started thinking about their racial superiority and the right to conquer others. Therefore, it unleashed the wrath of fierce battle and bloodshed and ultimately infuriated the World War I. France at the inception of 19thcentury created some promise of liberty, equality and fraternity in the aftermath of the French revolution but it was suppressed under the glory and power of Napoleon Bonaparte. The establishment of the Second French Republic in 1848 initiated the regime of republican political power for the second time. It was further carried out by his successor Napoleon III. However, in 1860s, the situation was started changing at a rapid scale when Napoleon III started liberating the press and political prisoner (Perry, 357). It ushered a new chapter in the history of France. The anarchist and socialist were liberated and set their own political goals. The fall of Napoleon III created a power vacuum in the French politics and the successors of Napoleon III were not able enough to make the country rise from its ashes. The Dreyfus affairs supplemented further incite into the political chaos and an anti-Semitic element added into the Republican opponents. As a result of that a radical national sentiment had been emerged in France on the line of racial segregation and fight against the Jews (Perry, 364). It is important to note that the victory of the radical republicans culminated the fate of Catholic religious order and direct action against the Jew was taken. Moreover the economic downfall of France infuriated the mass and all the political parties where started fighting each other. Amidst
2EUROPEAN NATIONALISM of all those political turmoil, France joined the World War I and it suddenly transformed the entire picture of France at home. People started supporting the government and a harmony among the people led to defend the country. In the international sphere as well the radical nationalism took a great turn into violent racial nationalism. For instance, in Germany a Pan-German League of extreme racial nationalism was established under the influence of social Darwinism (Perry, 365). Those people were believed highly in the political relationship of conquerors and the conquered. Therefore, the essence of liberty and equality as rejected in Italy. People started patronising and glorifying their cultures and posed severe hostility towards the organisation culture. It posed a great threat to the European power structure where hatred towards the minorities and non-political characters was a very common aspect. Moreover, the radical nationalists started thinking about their supremacy over others and minorities were considered to be the dirt of the society.
3EUROPEAN NATIONALISM Reference Perry, Marvin.Western Civilization, A Brief History, Volume II 11Th Edition. 11th ed., Cengage, 2015, pp. 356-368.