Question

choose three examples to show the contribution of culture to the growth of Nationalism in Europe​

Answer 1

Three examples to show the contribution of culture to the growth of nationalism in Europe were:

(i) Romanticism was a European cultural movement aimed at developing national unity by creating a sense of shared heritage and common history. The Romantic artists' emphasis on emotions, intuition and mystical feelings gave shape and expression to nationalist sentiments. The strength of art in promoting nationalism is well exemplified in the role played by European poets and artists in mobilizing public opinion to support the Greeks in their struggle to establish their national identity.

(ii) Folk songs, dances and poetry contributed to popularizing the spirit of nationalism and patriotic favor in Europe. Being a part of the lives of the common people, folk culture enabled nationalists to carry the message of nationalism to a large and diverse audience. Collecting and recording the different forms of folk culture was important for building a national consciousness.

(iii) Language also played a distinctive role in developing nationalist feelings in Europe. The emphasis on the use of vernacular language, the language of the masses, helped spread the message of national unity. During Russian occupation period, Polish language was forced out of schools and Russian language was imposed everywhere. Following the defeat of an armed rebellion against Russian rule in 1831, many members of the clergy in Poland began using language as a weapon of national resistance. They did so by refusing to preach in Russian, and by using Polish for Church gatherings and religious instruction.

Answer 2

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Nationalism in Europe came about mainly through the contribution of culture. Romanticism, folk songs & language were the different forms of culture that brought nationalism in Europe. Now, let us look at each one of them :-

★ Romanticism :

A European cultural movement that aimed at developing national unity was Romanticism. It created a sense of shared heritage and a common history. Emotions, intuitions and mystical feelings were some of the expressions used by the Romantic artists by which they tried to emphasize on national sentiments of the people.

Romantic artists criticized and rejected the glorification of science and technology. They were more focused and attracted towards romantic feelings.

★ Emphasis on folk songs, dance & poetry :

Folk songs, dances and poetry contributed to the popularising spirit of nationalism and patriotic fervour in Europe. As folk culture was a major part of the lives of people, it carried a message of nationalism to a large and diverse population.

The Polish composer Karol Kurpinski celebrated and popularised the Polish nationalist struggle through his operas and music, by turning folk dances into nationalist symbols.

★ Role of language :

Another important factor which played a significant role was language. For example, during Russian occupation, the use of Polish came to be seen as a symbol of struggle against Russian dominance.

In this period, Russian language was imposed everywhere and Polish was even taken out of schools. After the 1831 rebel against the Russians, large number of the polish clergy started using language as a weapon of national resistance. This was done by using Polish language in Church gatherings and religious instructions and refused to preach Russian.