The Significance of Nation

In the monarchy of Europe, the medieval era had phenomena that sparked up the development of the concept of a nation into something called a nation-state. Back in the ages where people do not have a solid grasp of the concept of a state, they did not consider themselves as a part of a nation but identifies themselves under a region and a local lord. People then believe in the ultimate authority of God and therefore held into catholic beliefs. The monarchy at the time is in the process of consolidating powers and wanted to take control over national churches for this. It led to an establishment of protestants. There have been a series of disputes over protestants and the catholic that sparked up a thirty-year war. Afterwards, the concept of loyalty toward the English nation-state was born that was proceeded by the concept of Sovereign state when the Peace of Westphalia ended it. The medieval era gave birth to phenomena that created a huge impact on taking the sense of state to people who have little knowledge and interest in this matter. 

French and American Revolution's Contribution

           Revolutions are always a product of the eagerness for change for a nation standing for their common decisions either for freedom, political change, or equality.

Nationalism was born in the American Revolution when the British colonies of America gathered, sought independence, and declared the United States of America. French Revolution, on the other hand, had their nationalism rose when the third state—the commoners found out inequality in an odd way. They broke away and formed their own representative body called the National Assembly that even though sparked disputes and war, gave birth to a document called the Declaration of Man and Citizens that was greatly influenced by the American independence that included basic human rights and provided a limited monarchy. Even at the end of the French revolution, at the time of Napoleon Bonaparte, the idea of nationalism had spread across and outside France encouraging and binding people to fight for their lands and create a revolutionary action against oppression/ repression.

14th and 15th Century

Between centuries up to the 17th, Europe established a foundation of discoveries that led them into expanding their territory and economy. That age is called the Age of Discovery. However, about the 14th and 15th century, European kings began to claim greater powers and to tighten their control over large territories. In connection to the commerce and trade, one example would be when Europeans invaded and colonized the Canary Islands during the 15th century, converting much of the land to the production of wine and sugar. The expanding of lands and discoveries made the way for the rise of trading crops and slaves and commerce.