ABSTRACT
One of history’s greatest pivots occurred as two revolutions rocked the late 18th century. Both the American and French revolutions insistently introduced nationalism to the world. What followed in the 19th and 20th centuries were a series of movements, consolidations, and revolutions that could all rightfully be called “nationalist” in sharp distinction to what had come before. In this chapter, the authors look at some of the philosophical and material foundations of the nationalist ideology and examine how it diffused across the world. Nationalism is both a movement and an ideology justified by several historical thinkers. The varied philosophies of nationalism would have had little purchase if the overall conditions favorable to nationalism did not evolve. Scholars and activists could articulate and encourage people’s changing views but would have little influence without a change in the overall mentality.
