Glossary
Anti-Semitism
Hostility to, prejudice toward, or discrimination against Jews.
Example:
The rise of nationalism in some European countries unfortunately led to increased anti-Semitism, as Jewish communities were often viewed as 'outsiders' within national borders.
Compromise of 1867
The agreement that established the Dual Monarchy of Austria-Hungary, granting Hungary equal status with Austria within the Habsburg Empire.
Example:
The Compromise of 1867 was a crucial political maneuver that transformed the Austrian Empire into the Austro-Hungarian Dual Monarchy.
Concert of Europe
A system of dispute resolution adopted by the major conservative powers of Europe in the early 19th century, aimed at maintaining peace and the status quo after the Napoleonic Wars.
Example:
The Concert of Europe attempted to suppress revolutionary and nationalist movements, but its power began to wane after the widespread unrest of 1848.
Continental System
Napoleon's foreign policy to economically blockade Great Britain by prohibiting French allies and conquered territories from trading with the British.
Example:
Napoleon's attempt to cripple Britain through the Continental System backfired in some areas, fostering resentment and a desire for national economic independence.
Dreyfus Affair
A political scandal that divided France in the 1890s and early 1900s, involving the wrongful conviction for treason of Alfred Dreyfus, a Jewish artillery captain in the French army.
Example:
The Dreyfus Affair exposed deep-seated anti-Semitism and political corruption within the French military and society.
Dual Monarchy of Austria-Hungary
A constitutional monarchy formed in 1867, consisting of two separate states, Austria and Hungary, each with its own parliament and government, but united under a single Habsburg monarch.
Example:
The Dual Monarchy of Austria-Hungary was an attempt to stabilize the multi-ethnic Habsburg Empire by granting significant autonomy to the Hungarian population.
Giuseppe Mazzini
An Italian revolutionary and nationalist who founded the 'Young Italy' movement, advocating for a unified, independent Italian republic.
Example:
Giuseppe Mazzini's passionate calls for a united Italy inspired many to join the cause for national liberation and unification.
Grimm Brothers
Jacob and Wilhelm Grimm were German academics, linguists, cultural researchers, and authors who collected and published German folk tales, contributing to a sense of shared national culture.
Example:
The Grimm Brothers' collection of fairy tales like 'Hansel and Gretel' helped solidify a common cultural heritage for the German people, fostering national unity.
J.G. Fichte
A German philosopher and early proponent of nationalism, known for his 'Addresses to the German Nation' which emphasized a unique German spirit and culture.
Example:
J.G. Fichte's writings inspired a sense of shared identity among Germans, urging them to recognize their distinct national character.
Napoleonic Wars
A series of major conflicts from 1803 to 1815 that pitted the French Empire and its allies, led by Napoleon I, against a fluctuating array of European powers.
Example:
The Napoleonic Wars inadvertently sparked nationalistic sentiments across Europe as conquered peoples resisted French dominance.
Nationalism
A strong identification with one's own nation and support for its interests, especially to the exclusion or detriment of the interests of other nations.
Example:
During the 19th century, many Germans felt a strong sense of nationalism, leading them to desire a unified German state rather than a collection of smaller principalities.
Pan-Slavists
Advocates of Pan-Slavism, a movement that aimed to unite all Slavic peoples, often under Russian leadership, based on shared linguistic and cultural heritage.
Example:
The Pan-Slavists believed that all Slavic nations, from Russia to the Balkans, should form a single political or cultural entity.
Revolutions of 1848
A series of political upheavals throughout Europe, driven by liberal and nationalist sentiments, as well as social and economic discontent.
Example:
The Revolutions of 1848 saw widespread uprisings across Europe, from Paris to Vienna, demanding greater political freedoms and national self-determination.
Triple Alliance
A military alliance formed in 1882 between Germany, Austria-Hungary, and Italy, which lasted until World War I.
Example:
The formation of the Triple Alliance created a powerful bloc in Central Europe, significantly altering the balance of power on the continent.
Triple Entente
A military alliance formed between the United Kingdom, France, and Russia in the early 20th century, serving as a counterweight to the Triple Alliance.
Example:
The Triple Entente brought together three major European powers, setting the stage for the opposing sides of World War I.
Zionism
A nationalist movement that supports the establishment and development of a Jewish state in the historical Land of Israel.
Example:
In response to rising anti-Semitism, Theodor Herzl became a leading figure in Zionism, advocating for a Jewish homeland.