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     **//The European Fight for Nationalism//** The 19th century was an important period in the history of Europe. As countries gained unification, Europe not only changed maps, but also the lives of the Europeans. During the 1800s there was a widespread need for unification for all countries in Europe. This theory was originated by Napoleon Bonaparte. When he rose to power in 1804 his presidency made him want even more power. This hunger for power caused many conflicts during the first half of the 19th century. These conflicts inspired other leaders to follow suite and pursue a quest for unification to their own independent nation. These quests led to an outbreak of war and bloodshed within Europe later leading to World War one. Nationalism in Europe caused many conflicts in the 1800s, but all of the fighting later helped shape the countries within Europe. For example, the country of Hungary in the year 1849. In April of that year Hungary drew up a Declaration Of Independence from the country of Austria. When this Declaration was established, Austria was angry and they responded as such. When they received the news of this secession they contacted Russia and the Russian army helped the Austrian army in defeating the Hungarian revolt. Hungary wanted to secede from Austrian rule due to the poor conditions that the Austrian government was putting the Hungarians through. But in fear of losing that amount of power over a county caused the Austrian government to react as aggressively as they did. These kind of revolts and aggression were common in 19th century Europe. Today Austria and Hungary are each independent nations with their own laws and governments. The Hungarian revolt of 1849 is just a glimpse into what Nationalism meant to the country of Europe, and how it shaped Europe today.  The wars for unification became heated throughout Europe. It almost seemed as if it would never end. When the Ottoman Empire collapsed, the countries under Ottoman rule had to fight for unification, thus, further heating the battles for nationalism. Many of these wars, however, were pointless. Over half of the countries that fought to have their own independent nation reached their dream. However, no matter how pointless these battles were they still happened and many great people were killed. Some examples of these people were Austrian Archduke Franz Ferdinand. The Archduke traveled into the thick of the battle, in the city known as Sarajevo. He was to direct army maneuvers in the neighboring mountains for his troop of soldiers. General Potiorek pleaded the Archduke to leave the town as soon as he arrived because of the massive rebellion going on in the city. The archduke took the shortest way out of town until a car carrying a few Serbian nationalists pulled beside him. The archduke and his wife Sophie got shot while they were still sitting in the vehicle. This was the death that triggered World War One. Because of these revolts and the pointless wars for nationalism, one of the greatest archdukes of all-time was silenced before the largest battle occurred. If these battles hadn’t of happened Europe would be very different, and there wouldn’t have been so much anger and bloodshed. Ever since man has learned to argue, man has learned to fight, and this battle for independence was one that was fought around the world. These battles were, by far, the longest drawn out battles of all time, and they even led to the first world war, and involving other countries in their very own war for independence. Although Europe suffered many losses in these battles and the important figures of European history were murdered at the hand of a fellow man, Europe suffered the consequences of having a war. These battles helped shape Europe and made it the continent it is today.