A History of Modern Europe - From the Renaissance to the Present

Conclusion 683

In the wake of the Revolutions of 1848, nationalism had proven itself a
major force for unification in both Germany and Italy. In the Habsburg
lands, in sharp contrast, nationalism was a force that came to challenge the
very existence of the empire. In the age of militant nationalism, ethnic ten­
sions within the Austro-Hungarian Empire would become those of Europe.
In contrast, each of Europe’s three other powers had been politically uni­
fied for centuries. Of the three, Britain and Russia had had no revolution in

1848. In contrast, France, the third, emerged from the tumultuous period
      with an authoritarian empire. In the next chapter, we will consider Britain,
      Russia, and France during the great period of change, 1850—1914.