One Idea, Three Topics

Ideologies is a system of ideas and ideals, especially one that forms the basis of economic or political theory and policy. Ideologies is split up into three main ideas, liberal, conservative, and nationalism. In class last week, we discussed the meanings of the three ideologies. My teacher split the class up into six different groups, each group was given a specific ideology to focus on. My group was chosen to represent nationalism. In order to find out what nationalism was, we read a source containing ideas on what each ideology meant. The question we were asked to focus on while creating the presentation was, what were the major political ideologies of the 19th century and how did they influence social and political action?

While reading the ideologies link, my group found out the meaning of nationalism. The article defined nationalism as the “ideology that asserted that a nation was a natural, organic entity whose people were bound together by shared language, customs, and history.” Once we found the definition of nationalism, we needed to plan out a one minute  presentation to present to the class describing our topic. My group decided to do a skit  to explain  what nationalism was. In my group we had four people, one person represented france, and the other three people were small parts of Germany. During the skit “France” went around and conquered each small section of “Germany.” The small “Germany” countries unify into one large country and  fight against “France,” gaining their freedom back.  In my presentation my group explained that nationalism was the belief that nations are natural entities, that have natural boundaries and consist of people that share language, culture, and history. Nationalism motivated people to be more unified within their country and to fight against foreign rulers. It made countries want to be the best nation.

There were two other ideologies that we learned about called conservatism and liberalism. Conservatives wanted to  preserve traditional political structures against revolution. Conservatives wanted to keep aristocracy and set social classes. Liberalism was the belief that the middle class  should have a say in what the government does. They believed that people had god given natural rights and everyone should have a say with an exception of the poor.Each ideology had an impact on the social and political action, during the 19th century ,and each believed it was best for the people.

The Great and Powerful Napoleon

Napoleon Bonaparte was a French military and political leader, and he was in control of the majority of Europe. Napoleon has had many military victories, and conquered a number of countries such as Italy, Austria, Belgium, Holland, Venice, Egypt, Prussia, Spain, Portugal, and Moscow. Napoleon was considered one of the best military commanders in history. He was able to convince thousands of soldiers to go into battle with him and together they would conquer country by country. It may have been Napoleon’s powerful, persuasive figure that allowed him to have such a great impact on the economic, social, and political system in Europe.

map of Napoleon's conquests

 

Napoleon had a big impact on the economic systems throughout Europe. All the conquered countries were good because it boosted the trade in Europe. The improvement in trade was helpful to many people because it increased the money income. However; the weapons and supplies needed for Napoleons wars cost a lot of money. This resulted in a negative effect on the economy. Napoleon’s impact on the social systems in Europe was greatly noticed. He eliminated the name “serf,” and ended serfdom, meaning the poor had the opportunity to become rich. People born with the title “serf,” were always poor, until Napoleon changed the system and abolished the title, allowing anyone the opportunity to become wealthy. Madame de Stael bitterly opposed of Napoleons system. She believed he was a tyrant, and she said, “his system was to encroach (intrude) daily upon Frances liberty and Europe’s Independence…By altering between cunning and force he has subjugated (conquered) Europe.” She was angry because she was of high nobility, and once Napoleon took away the title “serf,” her social status dropped. Napoleon also had a great political impact over Europe. His powerful military skills allowed him to conquer many countries in Europe and build his French empire. Many conquered countries disliked Napoleon, for taking away their land, but France and his companions adored him. An individual named Marshal Michael Ney, admired Napoleons great work. Marshal Michael Ney was an officer that served alongside Napoleon and believed Napoleon was doing a great political job, unlike Madame de Stael. Marshal Michael Ney once said about Napoleon, “to the emperor Napoleon, our sovereign, belongs alone the right to rule over our beautiful country.” Written in the article, “The Lost Voices,” Young wrote, “Napoleon’s peculiar combination of military genius, civilian disinterestedness, and domineering will, were just what France wanted.” This quote shows us that many people in France, enjoyed Napoleons rein of power.

 

Napoleon had many different views on his impacts. He used his great and powerful military skills to lead men into battle and conquer countries, expanding the French empire. He is known as one of the best rulers in the world, and many people still study his ideas and techniques. With this many people can learn important skills on social, political, and economic systems.