Part C

Question

Based on what you know about German unification and Italian unification, explain how nationalism played a role in making each happen. In what ways did nationalism unite people and in what ways did it divide them? Write a paragraph of 250 to 300 words, citing information you have learned to support your argument.

Answer 1

Nationalism played a pivotal role in both German and Italian unification during the 19th century, acting as a double-edged sword that both united and divided populations. In the context of German unification, the fervent nationalist sentiment was fueled by a common language, cultural heritage, and a shared desire for political unification against fragmented states and foreign influence, particularly from Austria and France. Leaders like Otto von Bismarck harnessed this sentiment through a series of wars—against Denmark, Austria, and France—effectively rallying the German states around the concept of a unified nation-state, culminating in the establishment of the German Empire in 1871. Nationalism united the diverse German principalities by creating a shared identity and purpose, allowing people to transcend their local loyalties for a greater national cause.

Conversely, nationalism also revealed and exacerbated divisions within German territories, notably among diverse ethnic groups and regional identities that resisted assimilation within a singular German identity. In Italy, similar dynamics were at play. The Risorgimento movement inspired a patriotic surge driven by ideals of liberty and unity against oppressive foreign rule, particularly that of Austrian control over northern Italy. Leaders such as Giuseppe Garibaldi and Count Cavour worked to consolidate various kingdoms into a single Italian state by promoting a shared Italian identity. However, regional differences remained stark, especially between the historically prosperous north and the underdeveloped south, leading to socioeconomic divisions that persisted well into unified Italy.

Thus, while nationalism served as a powerful force for unification in both Germany and Italy, it also highlighted and sometimes deepened existing divides, revealing the complexities of forging a national identity in culturally and regionally diverse landscapes. As such, the unification processes in both nations underline the multifaceted role nationalism plays in shaping political landscapes, binding people together while simultaneously surfacing underlying tensions.