Nationalism belongs to the modern world. Before the 18th century, people gave their loyalty to their communities, tribes, feudal lords, princes, religious groups, or other universal principles. Borders could thus be changed without popular outcry against the violation of national integrity. For example, when Louis XIV of France seized the free imperial city of Strasbourg on the Rhine in 1681, the people of the city accepted him as their king. By the 19th century, however, nationalist sentiments were strong. When Germany annexed Strasbourg (and the rest of Alsace-Lorraine) in 1871, its citizens felt bitter resentment at the dismemberment of the French nation.

Among the first modern manifestations of nationalism was the French Revolution (1789).

In 1860, Giuseppe GARIBALDI conquered Sicily and Naples with his Red Shirts. The Kingdom of Italy, headed by Sardinian king VICTOR EMMANUEL II, was proclaimed in March 1861 after Sardinia absorbed Umbria and the Marches and the Two Sicilies chose union with Sardinia. Venetia was acquired as a result of Italy's alliance with Prussia in the SEVEN WEEKS' WAR (1866). Rome, which was seized when a French garrison was withdrawn during the Franco-Prussian War (1870), soon became the capital of Italy.

Domestically in alliance with the National Liberals from 1867 to 1877, Bismarck extended the powers of the imperial government, adopted laissez-faire economic policies, and fought the political power of the Roman Catholic church in the KULTURKAMPF. The growth of the Catholic Center party and the challenges created by an economic depression (1873-96) brought a break with the liberals and the abandonment of laissez-faire. With Conservative, intermittent Center, and some remnants of National Liberal support, he embarked upon a policy of protective tariffs, suppression of the Social Democrats under August BEBEL, and pioneering social welfare measures, including insurance against illness, accident, and old age. Increasing socialist strength and the desire of the new emperor, WILLIAM II, to conciliate his people brought Bismarck's dismissal on Mar. 18, 1890. Until his death on July 30, 1898, he devoted his time to attacking his successors and dictating his savage reminiscences (1898; trans. by A. J. Butler as Bismarck, the Man and the Statesman, 1898).

The first Risorgimento movement was sparked by the CARBONARI, a secret organization that fomented unsuccessful popular uprisings in the 1820s. More important was the republican Young Italy movement, led by Giuseppe MAZZINI. Founded in 1831, it called for liberation through grass-roots revolts. Mazzini wanted to replace the existing states with a single, unitary republic with Rome as its capital. His influence peaked during the REVOLUTIONS OF 1848.

Some common words found in the essay are:
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Approximate Pages = 8 (250 words per page double spaced)