What are the circumstances that led to the emergence of Nation States

 

 

 

Question: What are the circumstances that led to the emergence of Nation States?

Ans: 16^th Century had a unique importance in the history of Europe. Many social, political developments took place in Europe. Nation states are different from Ottoman Empire, Holy Roman Empire, and city states like Geneva and Venice.

Reasons for the emergence of Nation States:

One the important change in the modern Europe was emergence of Nation States.

Along with the great states, there were so many small feudatory states, which acted almost independently.

Some big dynasties commanded vast territories which consist of people of many languages and cultures. Ottoman Turkish Empire is best example for this. It was spread out in 3 continents, Africa, Asia, and Europe.

Charles V was the ruler of Spain. Some parts of Germany, Holland, Italy, and America were under his command as parts of his empire. Charles was the heir of three of Europe's leading dynasties: Valois of Burgundy, Habsburg of Austria, and Trastamara of Spain. It is obvious that it consists of people of many languages and cultures.

Though there people are politically united, we cannot find ideological commensality among these people.

On the other hand people of a single culture and language were divided into different kingdoms. There were some independent small kingdoms in Germany. German people were under the command of different kingdoms. There is an ideological, cultural unity. But political unity is lacking.

Holy Roman Empire was established by Charlemagne in 800 A.D. He is also known as Charles- I. Charlemagne belongs to Carolingian dynasty. City states were there in Holy Roman Empire. By the end of medieval period they remained just as the nominal remnants of ancient Roman Empire.

In Holy Roman Empire, Pope had more power than the Emperor.

The Pope was elected by the electors.

People from all over the Europe competed for the position of Pope.

 

The Pope started claiming divine status, and became head of all the Christian countries. Pope started interfering in the political affairs. He had the power to enthrone and dethrone any Christian king at his will. Due to the corrupt practices of the church authorities Holy Roman Empire lost its importance. As said by Voltaire, The Holy Roman Empire was neither holy, nor Roman, nor an Empire.

 

Causes for the emergence of Nation States

1. Crusades

2. Decline of Nobles / Feudal Lords.

3. Gun powder and Cannons.

4. Geographical discoveries

5. Waning of the power of the Roman Catholic Church

6. Reformers

7. Philosophers / Political thinkers

8. Middle Class

9. Wars

 

1. Crusades:

Due to Crusades, Europeans countries came in contact with Arabs. Europeans started thinking of the reason for the development of Arabs. Europeans understood that Arabs had better administrative system.

 

 

2. Decline of Nobles / Feudal Lords

During the medieval period, the nobles were more powerful than the king. United they had the power to control the king. Due to Crusades, internal conflicts and continuous wars, by the onset of Modern period these nobles became weak. The king suppressed the remaining nobles, and emerged as a strong ruler. This paved way for the emergence of Nation States.

 

3. Gun powder and Cannons

Gun powder and Cannons were used in the Crusades. Kings dismantled the forts of Nobles with cannons. Usage of Gun powder and cannons also helped for the emergence of strong kingdoms.

 

4. Geographical discoveries

Geographical discoveries and trade with other countries also helped for the economic prosperity of the Kingdoms. New found lands became colonies of the European states. These geographical discoveries and trade were promoted by the kings / royal families. It resulted in the prosperity of the European states.

 

 

5. Waning of the power of the Roman Catholic Church

The spell of Roman Catholic Church was waned due to reformation movement, scientific discoveries, development of new science, promotion of the study of the secular literature and the study of ancient scriptures. The kings, who were puppets in the hands of the Pope, supported the reformers. Reformers also supported the kings for the successful spreading of their ideology. It is said that the Roman emperor Constantine was converted to Christianity and established a church in Rome. Authority over western parts of the Roman Empire was given to Pope between 305 A.D. – 307 A.D. Lorenzo Valla exposed this fact and used it for the reformation of Christianity. It decreased the value of Roman Catholic Church. As the power of Roman Catholic Church decreased, the kings became powerful.

 

6. Reformers

Reformers made it clear that the Roman Catholic Church was not established by God as claimed by the Pope and Church authorities. Martin Luther said that every Christian is equal to Pope. Pope is not vested with divine power. Many religious reformers of Europe established their own churches. States stopped giving privileges to Roman Catholic Church authorities. Earlier the money of Ennates and donations was sent to Roman Catholic Church from all over the Christian world.  Christian countries started spending the money in their own countries. State started collecting taxes from the lands owned by the Church authorities. All this weakened the Roman Catholic Church and the kings became powerful.

 

7. Philosophers / Political thinkers

Erasmus in his famous pamphlet ‘Praise of folly’ exposed the ill practices of the Roman Catholic Church.

Lorenzo Valla exposed the fact that the Roman Catholic Church was not established by the God as claimed by the Popes. He made it clear that a Roman emperor Constantine established it and appointed Pope as head of it.  (Donation of Constantine)

Dante in his book ‘Divine Comedy’ criticized the Roman Catholic Church authorities.

Machiavelli, author of the book ‘The Prince’, opined that King should come out of the influence of Church. He explained the ways to strengthen the position of King. He favored autocratic ruler to strengthen the kingdom. He also opined that there is no wrong in following both good and bad ways to safeguard the position of a King.

Thomas Hobbes, the author of ‘Leviathan’ also favored autocratic rule.

Jean Bodin in his book ‘The State’ opined that a king is a sovereign and he is answerable only to God.

Martin Luther propagated against the priestly class in Christianity.

Many philosophers promoted rationalism and criticized the superstitions spread by the Roman Catholic Church.

 

8. Middle Class

Middle class emerged as an influential class in Europe. It promoted learning of new branches of science, opposed the nobles and strongly supported the kings. This is one of the causes for the emergence of Nation States.

 

9. Wars

Hundred year war that took place between England and France (1337A.D. – 1453A.D.) increased nationalist feeling for their countries. These wars also raised respect in the minds of the people for their respective kings.