Nationalism DBQ

Doc 1 Source: Bozena Nemcova, Czech nationalist female writer, Granny, 1855.

The Sibyl (a female prophet) foretold that great misery would come on the Czech lands, that there would be wars and famine and plague. But the worst of all would be when father wouldn't understand son, or son father, or brother brother, and when neither word nor bond would be worth anything. That would be the worst of all, she said, and then the Czech earth would be scattered under the hooves of horses.

Doc 3 Source: Otto von Bismarck, German chancellor, speech to the Reichstag, 1888.

If we Germans wish to wage a war with the full effect of our national strength, it must be a war which is approved by all who take part in it, all who sacrifice anything for it; in short, the whole nation. It must be a national war, a war carried on with the enthusiasm of 1870, when we were foully attacked.

Doc 4 Source: Victor Emmanuel II, king of Italy, address to parliament, 1871.

Senators and Deputies, gentlemen:

The work to which we consecrated our life is accomplished. After long trials of expansion Italy is restored to herself and to Rome. Here, where our people, after centuries of separation, find themselves for the first time solemnly reunited in the person of their representatives; here where we recognize the fatherland of our dreams, everything speaks to us of greatness; but at the same time it all reminds us of our duties. The joy that we experience must not let us forget them. ... We have proclaimed the separation of church and state. Having recognized the absolute independence of the spiritual authority, we are convinced that Rome, the capital of Italy, will continue to be the peaceful and respected seat of the Pontificate.

Doc 6 Source: Thomas Davis, Lament for the Death of Eoghan Ruadh O'Neill, 1842. Davis founded an Irish nationalist newspaper and opposed the Act of Union in 1802 that created the United Kingdom.

O'Neill supported the Irish against an English invasion led by Oliver Cromwell in the seventeenth century.

Did they dare, did they dare, to slay Eoghan Ruadh O'Neill? Yes, they slew with poison him they feared to meet with steel. May God wither up their hearts! May their blood cease to flow, May they walk in living death, who poisoned Eoghan Ruadh.

Though it break my heart to bear, say again the bitter words. From Derry, against Cromwell, be marched to measure swords: But the weapon of the Sassanach met him on his way. And he died at Cloch Uachtar, upon St. Leonard's day.

Doc 7 Source: Johann Gottfried von Herder, Materials for the Philosophy of the History of Mankind, 1784.

Nature brings forth families; the most natural state therefore is also one people, with a national character of its own. For thousands of years this character preserves itself within the people and, if the native princes concern themselves with it, it can be cultivated in the most natural way: for a people is as much a plant of nature as is a family, except that it has more branches. Nothing therefore seems more contradictory to the true end of governments than the endless expansion of states, the wild confusion of races and nations under one scepter. An empire made up of a hundred peoples and 120 provinces which have been forced together is a monstrosity, not a state-body.... No greater injury can be inflicted on a nation than to be robbed of her national character, the peculiarity of her spirit and her language. Reflect on this and you will perceive our irreparable loss.