Was nationalism the most important force of change in Europe up to 1870? Justify your answer.

Nationalism is the feeling of loyalty shared by a group of people united by race, language, and culture. It was born and spreading since 1789 during the French Revolution, and spread by the Napoleon army. To express their loyalty to their nation, people will attempt to fight for independence against foreign rule or unite themselves into one large nation-state. Nationalism therefore was both a uniting force and dividing force; uniting a number of small states into …

…if it is the most important force because nationalism really grew with liberalism. Perhaps it would have developed into a force as strong as it was without the growth of liberalism, but determining the relationship between nationalism and liberalism is not the focus of this essay. In conclusion, nationalism was largely the most important force of change in Europe up to 1870; only largely because the effect of liberalism, industrial development and imperialism cannot be ignored.