Nationalism is an ideology that emphasizes the importance of the nation and the nation-state. It is often associated with the belief that the nation is the most important unit of political organization and that the interests of the nation should be placed above all other interests.
Nationalism was a major force behind the unification of Germany and Italy in the 19th century. In Germany, nationalism was used to justify the unification of the various German states into a single nation-state. In Italy, nationalism was used to justify the unification of the Italian peninsula into a single nation-state.
Nationalism was also a major factor in the eventual breakup of the Austro-Hungarian Empire and the Ottoman Empire. In the Austro-Hungarian Empire, nationalism was used to justify the demands of the various ethnic groups within the empire for self-determination. In the Ottoman Empire, nationalism was used to justify the demands of the various ethnic groups within the empire for independence.