"The form of nationalism in which the state claims its political legitimacy as an organic consequence of the unity of those it governs."
Explore the notion of Romantic nationalism, which glorifies a nation's culture, customs, and heritage, promoting a sense of unity among the people.
Historical Context: Understanding the historical events and social changes happening during the Romantic period is essential to understanding how romanticism and nationalism were born in literature.
Nature and the Natural World: One of the central themes of Romantic literature is the celebration of nature and the natural world. Romantic writers saw nature as a source of inspiration and a symbol of freedom.
Emotion and Imagination: Romantic literature emphasizes the power of emotions and the imagination. Romantic writers believed that these were more important than reason and logic.
Heroism and Individualism: Another important theme in Romantic literature is the idea of heroism and individualism. Romantic writers often depicted heroes who rebelled against authority and followed their own desires.
Folklore and Mythology: Romantic writers were fascinated by the folklore and mythology of their cultures. They drew on these sources of inspiration to create stories and poems that celebrated their national identity.
Music and the Arts: In addition to literature, Romanticism also impacted the music and visual arts. Composers like Beethoven and artists like Turner and Delacroix were all influenced by Romantic ideas.
Nationalism and Patriotism: Nationalism was closely tied to Romanticism. As writers celebrated their national cultures, they also emphasized the importance of national identity and patriotism.
Religion and Spirituality: Many Romantic writers were interested in spirituality and religion. They explored ideas of divine inspiration and the possibility of a higher power guiding and inspiring their writing.
Women's Writing: Women writers began to gain more attention and recognition during the Romantic period. Their writing often focused on issues of gender and identity.
Transcendentalism: In America, the Romantic period was also characterized by the rise of Transcendentalism, a movement that emphasized the importance of individual experience and self-reliance. Writers like Ralph Waldo Emerson and Henry David Thoreau were key figures in this movement.
Classic Romanticism: This type of Romanticism highlights the beauty of nature revealed through art and literature.
Gothic Romanticism: This type of Romanticism is characterized by the use of supernatural elements in art and literature to evoke a sense of fear and emotion in the reader.
Historical Romanticism: This type of Romanticism focuses on the past and the historical events and figures, often celebrating the heroic deeds of those who fought for their nation.
Transcendental Romanticism: This type of Romanticism promotes the idea that individuals can transcend the limitations of the physical world through contemplation and spiritual exploration.
Realistic Romanticism: This type of Romanticism focuses on the real and the ordinary, emphasizing the beauty of the everyday.
Cultural Nationalism: This type of Nationalism emphasizes the importance of preserving and promoting cultural traditions, literature, and language.
Political Nationalism: This type of Nationalism emphasizes the importance of political unity and independence, often based on a shared history, culture, and language.
Territorial Nationalism: This type of Nationalism emphasizes the importance of a nation's geographical boundaries and includes the idea that a nation should have control over its own land and resources.
Religious Nationalism: This type of Nationalism emphasizes the importance of religion in a nation's culture and history.
Economic Nationalism: This type of Nationalism emphasizes the importance of promoting economic growth and prosperity within a nation.
"Language, race, ethnicity, culture, religion, and customs of the nation in its primal sense of those who were born within its culture."
"It can be applied to ethnic nationalism as well as civic nationalism."
"Romantic nationalism arose in reaction to dynastic or imperial hegemony, which assessed the legitimacy of the state from the top down."
"Such downward-radiating power might ultimately derive from a god or gods."
"The cultural assertions of romantic nationalism have also been central in post-Enlightenment art and political philosophy."
"The development of national languages and folklore, and the spiritual value of local customs and traditions."
"The watershed year for romantic nationalism was 1848, when a revolutionary wave spread across the continent."
"While initially the revolutions fell to reactionary forces and the old order was quickly re-established, the many revolutions would mark the first step towards liberalisation and the formation of modern nation states across much of Europe."
"Lead to calls for self-determination of nationalities."
"Romantic nationalism, resulting from this interaction between cultural production and political thought, became 'the celebration of the nation as an inspiring ideal for artistic expression."
"To the movements that would redraw the map of Europe."
"The celebration of the nation (defined in its language, history, and cultural character) as an inspiring ideal for artistic expression."
"The instrumentalization of that expression in political consciousness-raising."
"Numerous nationalistic revolutions occurred in various fragmented regions (such as Italy) or multinational states (such as the Austrian Empire)."
"The revolutions fell to reactionary forces and the old order was quickly re-established."
"The many revolutions would mark the first step towards liberalisation and the formation of modern nation states across much of Europe."
"The focus on the development of national languages."
"The cultural character, language, history, and customs of the nation."
"The state claims its political legitimacy as an organic consequence of the unity of those it governs."