Nationalism and Revolutions of the 19th Century

Posted on Apr 2, 2025 in History

Nationalism

Nationalism presents a particular nation as the sole identity referent within a political community.

Types of Nationalism

  • Liberal Nationalism: Conceives the nation as a product of the people’s will, freely choosing their national belonging.
  • Organic Nationalism: Understands nations as existing independently of individual decisions, as inherent realities.

Revolutions of 1820

  • Spain: Liberals compelled Ferdinand VII to accept the 1812 Constitution, initiating the Liberal Triennium.
  • Italy: Carbonari revolts forced Ferdinand to grant a constitution.
  • Russia: The Decembrist movement aimed to establish a constitutional monarchy.
  • Greece: Achieved independence.

Note: The 1820 revolutions in Spain, Italy, and Russia ultimately failed.

Revolutions of 1830

  • France: Popular uprising ousted the new monarch, leading to the coronation of Louis-Philippe as a constitutional monarch.
  • Belgium: Gained independence from the Netherlands and established a constitutional monarchy.
  • Poland: Rebellion against Russian rule.
  • Italy: Rebellion against Austrian rule.

Springtime of Peoples: 1848

Characterized by a stronger social and democratic focus, driven by:

  • The economic crisis of 1847.
  • Liberal and nationalist activism.
  • Aspirations of the petty bourgeoisie and workers for political participation.

Congress of Vienna

Orchestrated by Chancellor Metternich, the Congress of Vienna reorganized European territories:

  • France: Lost territories conquered by Napoleon.
  • Austrian Empire: Gained Northern Italy and Dalmatia.
  • Russia: Retained control of Poland.
  • Prussia: Received West Prussia.

The Congress also established:

  • Quadruple Alliance: Prussia, Russia, Austria, and England.
  • Holy Alliance: Prussia, Russia, Austria, and later France.

Key political principles:

  • Restoration of absolutism.
  • International balance of power.
  • Monarchical legitimacy.
  • Interventionism.
  • Regular congresses.

Restoration

  • France: Bourbon monarchy restored under Louis XVIII, who issued the Charter, recognizing certain rights and establishing the House of Lords and the House of Representatives.
  • Germany: Formation of the German Confederation, led by Austria.
  • Russia: Westward expansion.
  • Italy: Remained divided.
  • Spain: Absolute monarchy restored under Ferdinand VII, facing American uprisings and liberal unrest.

Across Europe, liberal movements were suppressed by the Holy Alliance:

  • Congress of Troppau: Intervention to quell liberal movements.
  • Congress of Verona: Decision to send an army (Hundred Thousand Sons of St. Louis) to dismantle the liberal government in Spain.

Great Britain: Maintained a parliamentary monarchy with prevailing liberalism.

Secret societies operated against absolutism and advocated for nationalist claims.

Causes of Latin American Independence

  • Spread of Enlightenment and liberal ideas.
  • Influence of the North American colonies’ independence from British rule.
  • Aspirations of the Creoles.
  • Discontent over Creole economic concerns, exacerbated by Floridablanca’s trade liberalization decrees.
  • Power vacuum following Napoleon’s invasion of Spain.

Key Leaders

  • Mexico: Agustín de Iturbide.
  • South America: José de San Martín.
  • Venezuela and Colombia: Simón Bolívar.