Through a focus on any two countries, explain how nations developed over the nineteenth century.

With a focus on Germany and Italy, how nations developed over the nineteenth century has been explained.

Development of Germany as a nation state:

(i) A large number of political associations whose members were middle class professionals, businessmen and prosperous artisans as members were formed in Germany.

(ii) Before beginning of modern age some serious economic problems came up in Germany. Hunger, hardship and popular revolt emerged in Germany. Germany was divided in several states due to autocractic rule, people were suffering in Germany. There were conservative forces like that of Junkers (big landlords) who did not want to accept the concept of nation-state.

(iii) Romantic imagination and national feelings also became a major factor for formation of nation-state. Johann Gottfried Herder of Germany popularised the true spirit of nation through folk songs, folk poetry and folk dances.

(iv)Otto von Bismarck had architected the process of unification with the help of the Prussian army and bureaucracy. In Germany three wars against Austria, Denmark and France were fought over seven years.

Development of nation state in Italy:

(i)Like Germany, Italy too had along history of political fragmentation. Italians were scattered over several dynastic states as well as the multi-national Habsburg Empire.

(ii) Italy was divided into several states. These were being ruled by dynasties like Habsburg, Pope and Bourbon dynasty. Only Sardinia-Piedmont was ruled by an Italian princely house. 

(iii) Caricature of Garibaldi of Italy helped a lot in stimulating nationalistic feeling among masses.

(iv) Cavour established a tactful diplomatic alliance with France and won two Sicilies.