Key Concept 5.3 Nationalism, Revolution, and Reform
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In the late eighteenth century many people changed their mind about what authority legitimate. Rather than a foundation of divine right, many formed new ideas about how the right to rule was bestowed. Many Enlightenment thinkers wanted broader participation in government and leaders who were more responsive to their people. This led to rebellions and independence movements against existing governments and the formation of new nations around the world. No longer content to be subjects of a king, new forms of group identity were formed around concepts such as culture, religion, shared history and race. Colonized people developed identities separate from the European societies from which they emerged.
- I. The rise and diffusion of Enlightenment thought that questioned established traditions in all areas of life often preceded the revolutions and rebellions against existing governments. .
- A. During the previous era (1450-1750) a trend in western Europe began in which individuals felt more at ease in challenging established authorities on matters of science and religion.