The Rise of Nationalism in Europe Class 10 Social Science History Chapter 1 CBSE Notes - 2025-26

Frederic Sorrieu

• He is a French artist, who presented a series of paintings in 1848.

• He visualised his dreams, that is, a world of social and democratic republics.

• In Sorrieu’s utopian vision, the people of the world are grouped as distinct nations. They are identified through their flags and national costumes.

• Leading the procession are the USA and Switzerland, which is followed by France and Germany. Following Germany are Austria, Kingdom of the two Sicilies, Lombardy, Poland, England, Ireland, Hungary and Russia.

French Revolution

• The French Revolution in 1789, was the start of nationalism.

• French revolutionaries took many steps to create a feeling of collective identity:

1. Innovative ideas such as Le citoyen and La Partie

2. Creation of a new French flag.

3. Election of National Assembly, also renaming from estate general to National Assembly.

4. The administrative system is consolidated.

5. Abolishing of customs and internal duties.

6. Uniform weights and measures were introduced.

7. French was becoming a common language.

Napoleonic Code

• Napoleon destroyed France's democracy.

• Introduction of Civil Code 1804, which was called the Napoleonic Code.

• Features of this code are:

1. Abolishing of all birth rights and privileges.

2. Establishment of equality before the law.

3. Security of right to property.

4. Guild restrictions were removed.

The Aristocracy and the New Middle Class

• Politically as well as socially, aristocrats were dominant as far as population was concerned.

• Peasants were the majority of the population.

• Since industrialisation in England, a new social class known as the working class emerged.

• It included artisans, industrialists, businessmen and so on.

Liberalism

• Property-owning men were only given the right to vote or get elected.

• Every woman and propertyless men were restricted from all political rights.

• It is derived from the Latin word ‘root liber’, which means to be free.

• For the end of clerical privilege, autocracy the liberal nationalism stood alive. 

A New Conservatism After 1815

• Major European powers in 1815: Britain, Russia, Prussia and Austria had defeated Napoleon.

• They used to meet in Vienna to draw up a European settlement called as Treaty of Vienna.

• As per this treaty:

1. Power was restored by the Bourbon dynasty.

2. During the Napoleonic wars, France lost all its territories.

3. 39 states of the German Confederation were formed by Napoleon and left untouched.

4. On the French boundary, borders were made to prevent France from expanding.

The Revolutionaries

Guiseppe Mazzini

• Born in Genoa in 1807.

• Was a member of a secret society of carbonate.

• He established 2 secret societies: Young Europe in Berne and Young Italy in Marseilles.

• The main aim was to unify Italy into a republic.

The Age of Revolution: 1830-1848

• Bourbon kings were overthrown to set up a constitutional monarchy in July 1830.

• Greece was struggling for independence which was a part of the Ottoman Empire.

• Greece was declared an independent nation in the Treaty of Constantinople signed in 1832.

• National feeling was the main focus area.

• German philosopher, Johan Gottfried discovered the culture of common people through music, dance and folk poetry.

• There were fewer jobs and more people.

• Due to the rise in food costs and bad harvesting, widespread pauperism in the country.

• Silesia weavers in 1845, revolted against contractors.

• Frankfurt parliament was elected in 1848. 831 elected representatives were conveyed in St. Paul Church.

Britain

• English Parliament seized power from the ruling monarchy.

• British forces took Ireland, in 1801 after the revolution failed.

• British Nation was formed and it was facilitated through the mass propagation of English culture.

Nationalism and Imperialism

• Modern Balkans included Bulgaria, Croatia, Greece, Romania, Bosnia-Herzegovina, Albania, Serbia, Macedonia, Montenegro and Slovenia.

• This area was made explosive by Romantic nationalism, hence, major Europeans wanted to have control over this area.

• So, this led to a series of wars called as First World War.

What did Liberal Nationalism Stand for?

• Socially, liberalism stood for the idea of freedom for the individual and equality before the law.

• Politically, it was implied for a government by people’s choice.

• Economically, liberalism meant that merchants could freely trade their wares and move around in various regions for business purposes.

• As economic liberalism grew, the feeling of nationalism also grew to greater heights.

A New Conservatism After 1815

• A lot of people felt that traditional institutions and systems needed to be brought back. Even though many understood that they did not need to go back to pre-revolutionary days, they felt modernisation might strengthen their traditional institutes.

• The Treaty of Vienna was responsible for undoing most of the changes done by Napoleon. Monarchies overthrown by Napoleon were tried to be brought back through these measures.

• Conservatives of 1815 did not tolerate any kind of dissent, or criticism, and controlled the speech of the public by censorship. Freedom of speech was curbed as much as possible. Although the liberal-nationalists were still working actively despite all this.

The Romantic Imagination and National Feeling

• Nationalism was not only displayed through rebellion and revolution but also through culture. Poetry, story music and everything else also played an important role in shaping nationalism among people.

• Under romanticism, established writers and poets criticized the use of science and reason and emphasised the importance of emotions, intuition, and created a sense of shared feeling.

• Folk songs, folk poetry, and folk dances became popular, as they were being used as a nation-building tool by the common people.

• The language was also used as a weapon against monarchy for any Anti-National element. In regions where another language was imposed, removing the vernacular one, there were rebellions, and vernacular language was re-established in institutions.

Hunger, Hardship and Popular Revolt

• Europe was hit with economic peril around the 1830s. There was a population boom all over Europe and food prices rose due to bad harvest.

• Poverty and unemployment rose to great heights during this time.

The Revolution of the Liberals

• On one hand, poverty had created a revolution in society on the other hand liberal-nationalists advantage of the situation and fought for their issues.

• A parliament-like structure was demanded of the conservatives in Germany and Friedrich Wilhelm IV was selected to be the Monarch who would lead them. Friedrich refused and joined the conservatives instead.

• Women and men rebelled together and created a revolution in society. Although giving women political rights was still a controversial issue. Women had empowered themselves by founding newspapers and taking part in political meetings, and demonstrations.

• By 1848, the conservatives understood that they had to give concessions to the liberal nationalists, as they would not stop otherwise. Many changes in the government were seen thereafter.

The Making of Germany and Italy

Germany – Can the Army be the Architect of a Nation?

• After 1848, the conservatives started to use nationalism as a weapon to further their policies. This is visible in how Germany and Italy united as nation-states.

• The initiative to unify Prussia was taken by the army. Under the leadership of Otto von Bismarck, Prussia was United using the help of the army and bureaucracy.

Italy Unified

• Italy was divided into various States just like Germany. It was divided into seven states out of which only one was ruled by a princely house. Sardinia Piedmont was ruled by the princely house.

• Italian unification was possible due to Chief Minister Cavour. On the one hand, Mazzini spread nationalism using his Young Italy society. On the other hand, Chief Minister Cavour led the Italian unification. Sardinia-Piedmont defeated the Austrians in 1859.

• Further, the Italian army marched to South Italy and the Kingdom of Two Sicilies and succeeded in driving out the Spanish. Victor Emmanuel II became the king of Italy in 1861.

The Strange Case of Britain

Britain became a nation-state not by a Revolution or rebellion but rather by imposing its influence on its neighbouring countries. With varied identities and ethnicities, the European region was very diverse. The act of union between England and Scotland in the influence of Britain over Scotland. This is how British unification took place.

Visualising the Nation

The nationalism was depicted by various personifications known as allegory. Germania and Marianne were two famous allegorical figures.

5 Important Topics of Class 10 History Chapter 1 The Rise of Nationalism in Europe

Importance of Class 10 Chapter 1 The Rise of Nationalism in Europe Notes 

• Revision notes are essential for effective study, especially when preparing for exams. 

• They help students quickly recall important information, summarise key concepts, and reinforce learning. 

• By condensing the material into easily digestible sections, revision notes allow students to focus on the most critical aspects of the subject, making revision more efficient. 

• These notes serve as a handy reference guide, enabling students to review topics systematically without getting overwhelmed by lengthy textbooks. 

• In short, revision notes are crucial for better retention, efficient exam preparation, and boosting confidence in the subject.

Tips for Learning the Class 10 History Chapter 1 The Rise of Nationalism in Europe

• Begin by understanding the sequence of major events such as the French Revolution, German and Italian Unification and the 1848 Revolution. It will be easier to follow this chapter if you know when these episodes happened and how they are interconnected.

• Learn about influential people such as Napoleon Bonaparte, Otto von Bismarck, and Giuseppe Garibaldi. You will have a better idea of how nationalism spread across Europe if you are aware of what these leaders did.

• At times maps or diagrams can help examine Europe’s geographical changes at that time. To remember the occurrences better, it is good to represent them visually.

• Try putting down the main points after reading the chapter in your own words. This allows you to recap on what you have learnt and identify any areas where more clarification is needed.

• Take a look at previous years’ question papers to see which kinds of questions usually appear. By doing so, it will help you concentrate on crucial subjects and prepare for the exams.

Conclusion

In conclusion, Class 10 History Chapter 1 Notes, highlights the significant events and movements that shaped modern Europe. The chapter explores how nationalism emerged as a powerful force, leading to the unification of countries like Germany and Italy, and influencing revolutions across the continent. By understanding the roles of key figures and the impact of major events, students gain insight into the formation of nation-states and the complex history of Europe. This knowledge is not only crucial for exams, but also for a deeper appreciation of the forces that have shaped our world today.

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