"Culture had played an important role in the development of nationalism in Europe during eighteenth and nineteenth centuries."

Question

"The development of nationalism did not come about only through wars and territorial expansion. Culture played an important role in creating the idea of the nation." Elaborate upon the statement.
                                     OR
"Culture had played an important role in the development of nationalism in Europe during eighteenth and nineteenth centuries." Support the statement with examples.
                                     OR
How did culture play an important role in creating the idea of the 'nation' in Europe ? Explain.
                                     OR
Give three examples to show the influence of culture on the growth of nationalism in Europe.

Answer 1

Culture played an important role in creating the ideas of a nation because of the following reasons:

(i) Art and poetry, stories music helped in shaping nationalist feelings in Europe.

(ii) Romanticism was a cultural movement which played a role in this context. Romantic poet and artists were critical of reason and science.

(iii) A sense of shared collective heritage was developed.

(iv) Folk dance, Folk poetry, Folk songs were considered the true expression of the spirit of the nation.

(v) Speaking in the vernacular language was another expression of nationalism.