This document contains detailed notes of class 10 Social Science History Ch1 Nationalism in Europe. These notes help students dive deep into the concepts. These notes also provide linkage between topics which is not well explained in the original book.
Chapter – 1 The Rise of Nationalism in Europe
The Idea of Nationalism by Fredric Sorrieu –
• In 1848, Frederic Sorrieu, a French artist, prepared a series of prints visualizing his dream of a
world made up of 'Democratic and Social Republics; as he called them.
• The first print shows the people of Europe and America- men and women of all ages and social
classes -marching in a long train, and offering respect to the statue of Liberty as they pass by it.
• The statue bears the torch of Enlightenment in one hand and the charter of the Right of Man in
the other.
• On the earth in the foreground of the image lie the shattered remains of the symbols of the
Absolutist institutions.
The French Revolution (1789) and Nationalism –
• The first clear expression of nationalism came with the French Revolution in 1789.
• The political and constitutional changes that came in the wake of the French Revolution led to the
transfer of sovereignty from the monarch to a body of French citizens.
• The revolution proclaimed that it was the people who would hence forth constitute the nation and
shape its destiny.
• During the nineteenth century, nationalism emerged as a force which brought about sweeping
changes in the political and mental world of Europe. T
• he end result of these changes was the emergence of the nation-state in place of the multi-
national dynastic empires of Europe.
• A nation- State was one in which the majority of its citizens came to develop a sense of identity
and shared history or descent.
IDEA OF A NATION – by Ernst Renen - French philosopher –
• Nation is formed by the common language, race, religion or territory.
• A Nation that is not interested in holding any country against the will of its people, that is it’s the
WILL OF THE PEOPLE that prevails.
• They practice Plebiscite – citizens have the right to be consulted.
• Their existence is equal to the guarantee of LIBERTY – which would be lost under one rule and
one master – because of the regional diversities.
French revolution 1789 – led to the establishment of constitutional monarchy under the French
constitution 1791 - abolished the feudal system, transferred the sovereignty from the monarchy to the
people. The revolution proclaimed that it is the people who constitute the nation therefore would shape
the future.
, • The ideas of La Patrie (the fatherland) and Le Citoyen (The citizen) – promoted the notion of
united community enjoying equal rights under a constitution.
• A new tricolor flag was chosen instead of a royal standard.
• Tax collection by the church was abolished and their land were confiscated.
• National assembly was set up to legislate laws.
• New oaths, patriotic songs, hymns were composed and martyrs commemorated all in the name of
a nation.
• A centralized administrative system was put in place and formulated uniform laws for all the
citizens.
• Established horizontal power sharing – to limit the power of the king – that is established 3
organs - judiciary, executive and legislative.
• Internal customs duty and dues were abolished.
• Uniform system of weights and measures were adopted for the smooth functioning of the
administration.
• French became the common language of the nation and regional dialects were discouraged.
Revolutionaries declared that it is the mission of France to liberate the people of Europe from
despotism (exercise of absolute power- without any checks – non answerable).
News of the events in the France – spread to the other parts of the Europe and many students and
educated middle class inspired from French revolution – began setting up JACOBIN CLUBS (radical
political group that got its name from the 1st meeting that took place at a monastery in Jacobins in 1789 -
led by Maximillian Robespierre – were anti royalist – supported nationalism and freedom, majorly
supported by the rising middle class). These groups supported French army even in Holland, Belgium,
Italy in 1790’s – carrying the ideas of nationalism abroad.
NEPOLEAN BONAPARTE – In1799, Napolean seized political power. He gave the Civil Code of 1804
also known as Napoleonic Code.
Reforms Initiated by Napoleon:
➢ Napoleonic Code: On 21st March, 1804, Napoleon instituted the Napoleonic Code, otherwise
known as the French Civil Code, parts of which are still in use around the world today.
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