The Rise of Nationalism In the 19th Century

Nationalism is a pretty broad term. Merriam-Webster gives us "a feeling that people have of being loyal to and proud of their country often with the belief that it is better and more important than other countries." Industrialization fueled the power that European's wielded in world affairs, and as this power continued to grow, so too grew their feelings of being special - nationalism. This nationalism manifested itself in numerous ways, most notably in the avenues of colonialism and imperialism. Nationalism in the 19th century was not a uniquely European phenomenon, however, and so along with European examples, I'd also like to share some examples of Japanese nationalism, which often took the form of an air of superiority towards their powerful neighbors, the Chinese.

"Germania" by Philipp Veit, 1848.  The symbols in the painting illustrating a unified Germany include the imperial eagle, oak leaves for strength, and a hemp branch for peace. Source

The following is a German nationalistic poem that, like the painting above, strongly expresses a desire for a unified German nation. "The German Fatherland" by Ernst Moritz Arndt:

WHERE is the German's fatherland?
The Prussian land? The Swabian land?
Where Rhine the vine-clad mountain laves?
Where skims the gull the Baltic waves?
Ah, no, no, no!
His fatherland 's not bounded so!

Where is the German's fatherland?
Bavarian land? or Stygian land?
Where sturdy peasants plough the plain?
Where mountain-sons bright metal gain?
Ah, no, no, no!
His fatherland's not bounded so!

Where is the German's fatherland?
The Saxon hills? The Zuyder strand?
Where sweep wild winds the sandy shores
Where loud the rolling Danube roars?
Ah, no, no, no!
His fatherland 's not bounded so!

Where is the German's fatherland?
Then name, then name the mighty land!
The Austrian land in fight renowned?
The Kaiser's land with honors crowned?
Ah, no, no, no!
His fatherland 's not bounded so!

Where is the German's fatherland?
Then name, then name the mighty land!
The land of Hofer? land of Tell?
This land I know, and love it well;
But, no, no, no!
His fatherland 's not bounded so!

Where is the German's fatherland?
Is his the pieced and parceled land
Where pirate-princes rule? A gem
Torn from the empire's diadem?
Ah, no, no, no!
Such is no German's fatherland.

Where is the German's fatherland?
Then name, oh, name the mighty land!
Wherever is heard the German tongue,
And German hymns to God are sung!
This is the land, thy Hermann's land;
This, German, is thy fatherland.

This is the German's fatherland,
Where faith is in the plighted hand,
Where truth lives in each eye of blue,
And every heart is staunch and true.
This is the land, the honest land,
The honest German's fatherland.

This is the land, the one true land,
O God, to aid be thou at hand!
And fire each heart, and nerve each arm,
To shield our German homes from harm,
To shield the land, the one true land,
One Deutschland and one fatherland!  Source

Russia too had their glorifying imagery. In this excerpt from Prince Ukhtomskii's "Russia's Imperial Destiny," written in 1891, we see some of that:

The popular songs of Russia present us with a similar view of the secular prince of Moscow. In the letter of Ivan the Terrible to Prince Koorbsky there is a still clearer realization of the divine origin of all true autocratic thought and constant care for the good of the people: "The earth is ruled by the mercy of God and the grace of the Immaculate Virgin; by the prayers of the saints and the blessing of our fathers, and last of all, by us, its sovereigns." Where and when, in what European sovereigns, can we find more or as much humility in the estimate of their position? Such words could be used only by a sovereign deeply imbued with the Oriental view that the world is plunged in sin and falsehood; that he himself, a weak mortal, was strong and "wide ruling" only by the unseen favor of a bright and spiritual power, creating and maintaining all around him.  

It is this sacred conviction which has given birth to the steadfast belief both of our rulers and of the ruled, that Russia is the source and center of an invincible might, which is but increased by the attacks of her foes. The East believes no less than we do, and exactly as we do, in the preternatural qualities of the Russian national spirit, but values and understands them just in the same measure as we treasure the most precious of our national traditions---autocracy. Without it, Asia would be incapable of sincere liking for Russia and of painless identification with her. Without it, Europe would find it mere child's-play to dismember and overpower us as thoroughly as she has overpowered and dismembered the Slavs of the West, now suffering a bitter fate. The question is: In whose name and by whose single will shall the heritage of Russia be ruled in the future? Source

In the following 1832 letter from Tsar Nicholas I, it is evident how the Russian nationalism was earlier used to justify Russian control of Poland.

By the grace of God, Nicholas, Tsar of all the Russias, King of Poland, etc., When, by Our Manifesto of January 2, last year, We announced to Our faithful subjects the march of Our troops into the kingdom of Poland, which was momentarily snatched from the lawful authority, We at the same time informed them of Our intention to fix the future fate of this country on a durable basis, suited to its wants, and calculated to promote the welfare of Our whole empire. Now that an end has been put by force of arms to the rebellion in Poland, and that nation, led away by agitators, has returned to its duty, and is restored to tranquillity, We deem it right to carry into execution our plan with regard to the introduction of the new order of things, whereby the tranquillity and union of the two nations, which Providence has entrusted to Our care, may be forever guarded against new attempts. Poland, conquered in the year 1815 by the victorious arms of Russia, obtained by the magnanimity of Our illustrious predecessor, the Tsar Alexander, not only its national existence, but also special laws sanctioned by a Constitutional Charter. 

These favors, however, would not satisfy the eternal enemies of order and lawful power. Obstinately persevering in their culpable projects, they ceased not one moment to dream of a separation between the two nations subject to our scepter, and in their presumption they dared to abuse the favors of the restorer of their country, by employing for the destruction of his noble work the very laws and liberties which his mighty arm had generously granted them. Bloodshed was the consequence of this crime. The tranquility and happiness which the kingdom of Poland had enjoyed to a degree till then unknown, vanished in the midst of civil war and a general devastation. 

All these evils are now passed. The kingdom of Poland, again subject to Our scepter, will regain tranquility, and again flourish in the bosom of peace, restored to it under the auspices of a vigilant government. Hence, We consider it one of Our most sacred duties to watch with paternal care over the welfare of Our faithful subjects, and to use every means in our power to prevent the recurrence of similar catastrophes, by taking from the ill-disposed the power of disturbing public tranquility. As it is, moreover, Our wish to secure to the inhabitants of Poland the continuance of all the essential requisites for the happiness of individuals, and of the country in general, namely, security of persons and property, liberty of conscience, and all the laws and privileges of towns and communes, so that the kingdom of Poland, with a separate administration adapted to its wants, may not cease to form an integral part of Our empire and that the inhabitants of this country may henceforward constitute a nation united with the Russians by sympathy and fraternal sentiments, We have, according to these principles, ordained and resolved this day, by a new organic statute, to introduce a new form and order in the administration of 

Our kingdom of Poland. 

Nicholas 

St. Petersburg, February 26, 1832 Source

The competing nationalisms of all the various European states led to the scramble over Africa in which states tried to colonize and imperialize as much African territory as they could. The above map illustrates the breakdown of the holdings when most of the scrambling is done in 1913. Source

To justify their actions in Africa and other places where Europeans were confronted with other races, racism was used as a justification for colonial rule. In the above graphic from the 1857 book The Indigenous Races of the World, we can see that the African is placed between the chimpanzee and the Greek head in terms of development. Source

As previously stated, Europeans were by no means the only one's to use their nationalistic views, stereotypes, and idealism to gain power over other nations. Below are three Japanese political cartoons from the end of the 19th century by Kiyochika Kobayashi which illustrate Japanese disdain for the perceived weak Chinese. Source

Here, a Japanese soldier is able to easily blow away the weak structures of the Chinese.

This cartoon depicts Chinese men in retreat.

Here, a Chinese soldier finds a Japanese scarecrow to be quite frightening.