According to Ernst Renan what are the attributes of a nation?
In a lecture delivered at the University of Sorbonne in 1882, the French philosopher Ernst Renan (1823-92) outlined his understanding of what makes a nation. The lecture was subsequently published as a famous essay entitled Qu'est-ce qu'une nation?' (What is a Nation?').
In this essay Renan criticises the notion suggested by others that a nation is formed by a common language, race, religion, or territory: A nation is the culmination of a long past of endeavours, sacrifice and devotion. A heroic past, great men, glory, that is the social capital upon which one bases a national idea. To have common glories in the past, to have a common will in the present, to have performed great deeds together, to wish to perform still more, these are the essential conditions of being a people. A nation is therefore a large-scale solidarity Its existence is a daily plebiscite A province is its inhabitants; if anyone has the right to be consulted, it is the inhabitant. A nation never has any real interest in annexing or holding on to a country against its will. The existence of nations is a good thing, a necessity even. Their existence is a guarantee of liberty, which would be lost if the world had only one law and only one master.'
Explain what is meant by the 1848 revolution of the liberals. What were the political, social and economic ideas supported by the liberals?
What changes did Napoleon introduce to make the administrative system more efficient in the territories ruled by him?
Who were Marianne and Germania? What was the importance of the way in which they were portrayed?
What steps did the French revolutionaries take to create a sense of collective identity among the French people?
What was the cause of Silesian weavers uprising? Comment on the viewpoint of the journalist.