CBSE Class 10 History Chapter 1 The Rise of Nationalism in Europe Notes, Download PDF

CBSE Class 10 Social Science Revision Notes Rise of Nationalism in Europe: Revision notes are very helpful for candidates of CBSE 10th class board exams 2024 as these are handy at the time of exam preparation and the examination itself when students must regularly revise the whole syllabus thoroughly. However, since CBSE has been modifying and updating its curriculum from time to time, it becomes important for students to choose carefully their study material. If the revision notes are not from a reliable source then it might have the contents from the deleted syllabus. This will lead to the waste of precious time. At Jagran Josh, we have provided the revision notes for CBSE Class 10 SST History Chapter 1 prepared by subject experts, in sync with the latest syllabus of 2023-24. All major topics and points that are required to score well in the board exams have been provided here with brief yet complete explanations. Students can also download these short notes from the link provided towards the end of this article.

Short Notes for CBSE Class 10 History Chapter 1 Rise of Nationalism in Europe

Rise of Nationalism in Europe has topics such as the French Revolution and its impact, Nationalism in Europe,  Making of Germany and Italy governments, Britain Unification, etc. Check the short notes for all the topics from the syllabus below:

1. In 1848, Frederic Sorrieu, a French artist, prepared a series of 4 prints visualizing his dream of a world made up of democratic and social republic. 
2. At the time of  French Revolution, artists personified Liberty as a female figure. 
3. According to Sorrieu’s utopian vision, the peoples of the world are grouped as distinct nations, identified through their flags and national costume. 
4. During the 19th century, nationalism emerged as a force which brought about sweeping changes in the political and mental world of Europe. 
5. The end result of nationalism was the emergence of the nation-state replacing the multi-national dynastic empires of Europe. 
6. A modern state, in which a centralized power exercised sovereign control over a clearly defined territory, had been developing over a long period of time in Europe. 
7. A nation-state was one in which the majority of its citizens, and not only its rulers, came to develop a sense of common identity and shared history or descent. 

The French Revolution and the Idea of the Nation 

1. The French Revolution in 1789 marked the initial emergence of nationalism as a distinct ideology.
2. Following the French Revolution, political and constitutional transformations resulted in the transfer o sovereignty from the monarchy to a collective body of French citizens.
3. The concepts of “la patrie” (the fatherland) and “le citoyen” (the citizen) emphasized the idea of a unified community that enjoyed equal rights under a constitution.
4. The National Assembly, formerly known as the Estates General, was elected by the active citizens, reflecting the evolving political landscape.
5. The abolition of internal customs duties and dues, along with the adoption of a standardized system of weights and measures, brought about greater uniformity within the nation.
6. The revolutionaries proclaimed that the French nation had a mission and destiny to liberate the people of Europe from oppressive rule.
7. Students and members of the educated middle classes took the initiative to establish Jacobin clubs.
8. The activities and campaigns of these groups paved the way for French armies to enter Holland, Belgium, Switzerland, and much of Italy in the 1790s.
9. The French armies began to spread the concept of nationalism beyond the borders of France.
10. Despite Napoleon’s restoration of the monarchy, he incorporated revolutionary principles in the administrative domain, aiming to enhance efficiency and rationality within the system.
11. The Napoleonic Code, also known as the Civil Code of 1804, abolished privileges based on birth, introduced equality before the law, and protected property rights.
12. Napoleon simplified administrative divisions, abolished the feudal system, and emancipated peasants from serfdom and feudal dues.
13. Transportation and communication systems underwent significant improvements during this period.
14. Businessmen and small-scale producers recognized the benefits of uniform laws, standardized weights and measures, and a common national currency, as these facilitated the movement and exchange of goods and capital across regions.
15. The French armies were welcomed as bearers of liberty in various places, including Holland, Switzerland, Brussels, Mainz, Milan, and Warsaw.
16. However, it became evident that the new administrative arrangements did not necessarily align with political freedom.
17. The advantages of the administrative changes were overshadowed by increased taxation, censorship, and forced conscription into the French armies, which were necessary for further conquests in Europe.

The Making of Nationalism in Europe 

1. Kingdoms, duchies, and cantons divided Germany, Italy, and Switzerland, with each ruler governing their own autonomous territory.
2. These regions did not perceive themselves as having a shared collective identity or a common culture.
3. The Habsburg Empire held dominion over Austria-Hungary.
4. In Hungary, approximately half of the population spoke Magyar, while the other half spoke various dialects.
5. In addition to these three prominent groups, there were also other communities residing within the empire’s borders.
6. The sole bond uniting these diverse groups was a shared allegiance to the emperor.

The Aristocracy and the new middle class 

1. Across the continent, a landed aristocracy held significant social and political influence.
2. These aristocrats shared a common way of life that transcended regional divisions.
3. Marriage alliances often connected their families.
4. Although powerful, the aristocracy constituted a small portion of the population. The growth of towns and the rise of commercial classes, dependent on market-based production, challenged their dominance.
5. While industrialization began in England in the latter half of the 18th century, it occurred in France and some German states only in the 19th century.
6. As a result, new social groups emerged, including a working-class population and middle classes comprising industrialists, businessmen, and professionals.
7. The educated and liberal middle classes were particularly drawn to ideas of national unity following the abolishment of aristocratic privileges.

What did Liberal Nationalism Stand for? 

1. During the early nineteenth century in Europe, liberalism was closely aligned with a dominant ideology.
2. The term ‘liberalism’ originates from the Latin word “liber,” which means freedom.
3. Liberalism championed individual freedom and equality for all under the law.
4. It emphasized the principle of governance based on the consent of the governed.
5. Liberalism advocated for the establishment of a constitution and representative government through parliament.
6. Initially, the right to vote and hold office was restricted to men who owned property.
7. Political rights were denied to men without property and all women.
8. Women and men without property organized opposition movements demanding equal political rights.
9. Liberalism called for the elimination of state-imposed restrictions on the movement of goods and capital.
10. Prior to 1833, a merchant traveling from Hamburg to Nuremberg to sell goods had to navigate through 11 customs barriers, paying a customs duty of approximately 5% at each one.
11. Such impediments hindered economic exchanges and growth, leading the emerging commercial classes to advocate for the creation of a unified economic territory enabling unhindered movement of goods, people, and capital.
12. The formation of a union resulted in the abolition of tariff barriers and a reduction in the number of currencies from over thirty to two. 

A New Conservation after 1815 

1. After Napoleon’s defeat in 1815, European governments embraced a conservative mindset.
2. However, most conservatives did not advocate for a complete return to the pre-revolutionary society.
3. They believed that modernization could actually strengthen traditional institutions such as the monarchy.
4. Measures like establishing a modern army, efficient bureaucracy, dynamic economy, and abolishing feudalism and serfdom were seen as ways to fortify the autocratic monarchies of Europe.
5. In 1815, representatives from the major European powers—Britain, Russia, Prussia, and Austria—gathered in Vienna to formulate a settlement for Europe, following their collective victory over Napoleon.
6. The Bourbon dynasty, which had been overthrown during the French Revolution, was reinstated, and France relinquished the territories it had annexed under Napoleon.
7. The German Confederation, consisting of 39 states established by Napoleon, remained unchanged.
8. Autocratic governments were intolerant of criticism and dissent, and they sought to suppress activities that challenged the legitimacy of autocratic rule.

The Revolutionaries 

1. In the years following 1815, the fear of repression forced many liberal-nationalists to operate clandestinely.
2. During this period, being revolutionary entailed a commitment to opposing monarchical forms and fighting for liberty and freedom.
3. Giuseppe Mazzini, born in Genoa in 1807, became a member of the secret society known as the Carbonari.
4. In 1831, he was exiled for his involvement in a revolutionary attempt in Liguria.
5. Mazzini believed that nations were the natural units of mankind, according to God’s intention.
6. Secret societies were established in Germany, France, Switzerland, and Poland.
7. Metternich referred to Mazzini as “the most dangerous enemy of our social order.” 

The Age of Revolution: 1830 – 1848 

1. As conservative regimes sought to strengthen their authority, liberalism and nationalism became increasingly associated with revolutionary movements in various parts of Europe, including the Italian and German states, provinces of the Ottoman Empire, Ireland, and Poland.
2. Metternich once remarked, “When France sneezes, the rest of Europe catches a cold,” highlighting the influence of French events on the continent.
3. The Greek war of independence served as a catalyst for nationalist sentiments among the educated elite throughout Europe.
4. Greece had been a part of the Ottoman Empire since the fifteenth century.
5. The Greek war of independence garnered support not only from Greeks living in exile but also from many Western Europeans who sympathized with ancient Greek culture. 

The Romantic Imagination and National Feeling 

1. The emergence of nationalism was not solely driven by wars and territorial expansions.
2. Culture played a vital role in shaping the concept of the nation, with art, poetry, stories, and music serving as means of expressing and molding nationalist sentiments.
3. Let us examine Romanticism, a cultural movement that aimed to cultivate a distinct form of nationalistic feelings.
4. Romantic artists and poets often criticized the exaltation of reason and science, instead focusing on emotions, traditions, and mystical experiences.
5. Some Romantics believed that the true essence of a nation could be captured through folk songs, poetry, and dances.
6. Music and language played significant roles in nurturing national sentiments.
7. Celebrated composer Karol Kurpinski, for instance, depicted national struggles in his operas and music, transforming folk dances like the polonaise and mazurka into symbols of nationalism.
8. Language also played a crucial role in fostering nationalist sentiments.
9. The Russian language was forcefully imposed in various regions.
10. In Poland, many clergy members began using language as a tool of national resistance.
11. Consequently, numerous priests and bishops were imprisoned or exiled to Siberia by the Russian authorities as punishment for their refusal to preach in Russian.

Hunger, Hardship and Popular Revolt 

1. The 1830s marked a period of severe economic hardship across Europe.
2. The first half of the nineteenth century witnessed a significant population increase.
3. In most countries, there was a surplus of job seekers compared to available employment opportunities.
4. Rural populations migrated to cities, leading to overcrowded slums.
5. Paris experienced food shortages and widespread unemployment, prompting the population to take to the streets.
6. The National Assembly declared a republic, granted suffrage to all adult males above 21, and guaranteed the right to work.
7. Earlier, in 1845, weavers in Silesia led a rebellion against contractors who provided them with raw materials and placed orders for finished textiles.
8. On June 4th, at 2 p.m., a large crowd of weavers emerged from their homes and marched in pairs to the residences of their contractors, demanding higher wages.
9. The contractors fled with their families to a nearby village, but were refused shelter by the locals.
10. They returned 24 hours later, having requisitioned the army.
11. In the ensuing confrontation, eleven weavers were shot.

1848: The Revolution of the Liberals 

1. In the year 1848, a revolution was underway in many European countries, driven by the plight of impoverished, unemployed, and starving peasants and workers. The educated middle classes led this movement.
2. Men and women from the liberal middle classes joined forces, combining their demands for constitutionalism with the goal of national unity.
3. They crafted a constitution for a German nation, envisioning a monarchy that would be accountable to a parliamentary system.
4. However, King Wilhelm IV of Prussia rejected the proposed constitution and aligned with other monarchs in opposition to the elected assembly.
5. As the opposition from the aristocracy and the military grew stronger, the social support base of the parliament weakened.
6. The issue of granting political rights to women became a contentious matter within the liberal movement.
7. Women formed their own political associations, established newspapers, and actively participated in political gatherings and demonstrations.
8. However, women were often only allowed as observers in the visitors’ gallery, with limited participation.
9. Monarchs were beginning to recognize that the cycle of revolution and repression could potentially be broken by granting concessions to the liberal-nationalist revolutionaries.

The Making of German and Italy 

Germany – can the Army be the Architect of a National 

1. Following 1848, nationalism in Europe underwent a shift away from its association with democracy and revolution.
2. This shift is evident in the process of unification for Germany and Italy as nation-states.
3. Nationalist sentiments were prevalent among the middle-class population in Germany.
4. However, attempts by liberals to build a unified nation were suppressed by a coalition of monarchy, military, and influential landowners in Prussia.
5. Prussia emerged as the leader of the nationalist movement.
6. Through a series of wars with Austria, Denmark, and France, Prussia achieved victory and successfully completed the process of unification.
7. The process of nation-building in Germany showcased the dominant power of the Prussian state.
8. The newly formed state placed significant emphasis on modernizing currency, banking, legal, and judicial systems throughout Germany.

Italy Unified 

1. Similar to Germany, Italy also experienced a long history of political fragmentation.
2. Italians were scattered across various dynastic states as well as the multinational Habsburg Empire.
3. Italy was divided into seven distinct states.
4. The Italian language had not yet developed a standardized form and still exhibited numerous regional and local variations.
5. Giuseppe Mazzini endeavored to formulate a cohesive program for a united Italian Republic.
6. He established Young Italy as a platform for disseminating his objectives.
7. Following the unsuccessful revolutionary uprisings of both 1831 and 1848, the task of unifying the Italian states through warfare fell upon Sardinia-Piedmont, led by King Victor Emmanuel II.
8. Italy presented opportunities for economic development and political supremacy to those seeking them.
9. Italy did not espouse a purely revolutionary or democratic ideology.
10. The majority of the Italian population, who faced high illiteracy rates, remained largely unaware of the liberal-nationalist ideology.

The strange case of Britain 

1. Some scholars argue that the model for the nation or nation-state is Great Britain.
2. Its establishment was the outcome of a protracted process.
3. Prior to the eighteenth century, there was no distinct British nation.
4. The term “United Kingdom of Great Britain” essentially signified England’s ability to exert its influence over Scotland.
5. Consequently, the British parliament became predominantly controlled by its English members.
6. Ireland was forcefully integrated into the United Kingdom in 1801.
7. British symbols such as the flag, national anthem, and English language were actively promoted, while the older nations existed as subordinate partners within this union.

Visualising the Nation 

1. Portraying a ruler through a portrait or statue was a relatively straightforward task.
2. In a similar vein, countries were depicted as personified entities.
3. Female figures were commonly used to symbolize nations.
4. These female figures took on the role of an allegorical representation of the nation.
5. One popular name given to these personifications was Marianne, a name that emphasized the concept of a nation belonging to its people.

Nationalism and Imperialism 

1. By the mid-nineteenth century, nationalism had undergone a significant transformation from its earlier liberal-democratic ideals, becoming a narrower ideology with limited objectives.
2. The Balkans emerged as the primary source of nationalist tensions in Europe after 1871.
3. The Balkans were characterized by diverse geography and ethnic composition.
4. Successively, the different nationalities within the region sought independence and broke away from central control.
5. The Balkan area became a hotbed of intense conflicts and disputes.
6. Mutual jealousy among the Balkan states fueled their ambitions for territorial expansion at the expense of one another.
7. Nevertheless, the notion of organizing societies into nation-states became widely accepted as a natural and universal concept.

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CBSE Class 10 Social Science History Chapter 1 Mind Map