Scholars acknowledge nationalism as a central force in nineteenth-century European history. Yet, they have seldom investigated what the nation meant to ordinary people. In this book, both renowned historians and younger scholars try to answer this question for a host of European countries, including Italy, Germany, France and Finland. Combining theoretical and methodological considerations with detailed research of archival sources on the grassroots level, Nationhood from Below will appeal to specialists in the field, but it also offers helpful reading for any college and university course on nationalism.

In historical studies, 'collective memory' is most often viewed as the product of nationalizing strategies carried out by political elites in the hope to create homogeneous nation-states. In contrast, this book asserts that collective memories develop out of a never-ending, triangular negotiation between local, national and transnational actors.

In historical studies, 'collective memory' is most often viewed as the product of nationalizing strategies carried out by political elites in the hope to create homogeneous nation-states. In contrast, this book asserts that collective memories develop out of a never-ending, triangular negotiation between local, national and transnational actors.

Nationalism was ubiquitous in nineteenth-century Europe. Yet, we know little about what the nation meant to ordinary people. In this book, both renowned historians and younger scholars try to answer this question. This book will appeal to specialists in the field but also offers helpful reading for any college and university course on nationalism.