What is a nation?

Building a nation
o What nations are not:
Not a continuation of ancient nations
Now a direct reflection of local population
o Nations are:
Imagined communities: result of increased communication, industry
and state power (Anderson)
18th and 19th century that rely on increased means of
communication
What/where is Germany?
o Came from the holy roman empire
o Many different populations in Central Europe (not necessarily German)
o 2 states dominate: Prussia and Austria
Revolutions of 1848
o Post-1815 restoration, but also rise of liberal politics (desire for constitution,
representation)
o 1848: calls for formation of national assembly
Berlin, Frankfurt middle class occupants go on the streets and modeled a
new flag
o Frankfurt Parliament emerges briefly, 1848, offers crown but Prussian king
refuses - Germany not unified.
Refuses bc no one gives away a crown, Kings are kings from Gods Divine
Right
Nothing happens, and Germany go no where
Conditions for Nation Making
o Economy: Creation of Zollverein (1830-1850s)
o Customs union uniform tariff, easier trade & industrialization across German
States
Rise of Prussia
o Prussia building economy, industry and military
o Otto vos Bismarck (1815-1898) initiates Prussian/German state-making
Prussia will thrive if expands
o Realpolitik: Foreign policy & military might
Bismarcks Campaigns
o 1864-1871- used three wars (vs Denmark, Austria, France) to mobilize, unify
other German states
Diplomatic crisis with France
France declares war with Prussia
o Franco-Prussian War (1871) creates rivalry
Create Germany
Creates a new enemy
o Unification won through Blood and Iron
 The German Empire (Reich) 1871
o Germany is the new power in Europe
o Takes over Versailles
The Italian Question
o Piedmont (north state) wanted expansion War with Austria, win more areas
1859
o Through series of conflicts, Piedmont and others ialian states merge; by 1871,
new kingdom of Italy Proclaimed
Unfinished Nation-Building
o we have created Italy; now we have to create Italians
o Need to educate people to make patriotic citizens (Italians, Germans, French,
etc)