Chapter 10

Main Idea

Nationalism Triumphs in Europe (1800–1914)

The last half of the 1800s saw an upsurge of nationalism in Europe. In some countries, such as Germany and Italy, nationalism was a unifying force, helping to weld fragmented states into strong nations and encouraging them to industrialize and modernize. In other regions, such as the Balkans, nationalism was a divisive force, sparking rivalries, conflicts, and bloodshed.