Detailed Summary
Liberal nationalism in the early-nineteenth century intertwined the principles of liberalism with the emerging nationalist sentiments in Europe. The term 'liberalism' comes from the Latin root 'liber', meaning free, signifying a focus on individual freedoms. For the middle classes rising after the French Revolution, liberalism represented personal rights and equality under the law. Politically, it championed government through the consent of the governed, aiming to abolish autocratic rule and clerical privileges, establishing a constitutional framework for representation in government. This ideological shift endorsed the transfer of sovereignty from monarchies to the citizens, spearheading movements across Europe for democratic governance.
While liberalism pushed for widespread suffrage and economic freedom, it did not equate to universal voting rights for all citizens. Notably, in early political experiments, such as in revolutionary France, voting rights were restricted to propertied men, thereby excluding women and non-property owners. The chapter emphasizes the socio-economic context in which liberal nationalists advocated for a customs union (the Zollverein in German-speaking areas) to foster economic integration, making a case for unified markets to strengthen national identity and sentiment. The liberal nationalists' vision highlighted both the inclusion necessary to cultivate a collective identity as well as the restrictions faced by marginalized groups, thus presenting a dual narrative in the formation of national consciousness.