Which concept is closely associated with national identity and competition among European powers in the late 19th and early 20th centuries?

• A. Imperialism
• B. Nationalism
• C. Militarism
• D. Liberalism

Answer: (B)

Nationalism is the belief that people who share a common language, culture, and history should have their own independent nation and place in the world. In the late 19th and early 20th centuries, European powers measured their strength and prestige largely by national achievement, which fed fierce competition and rivalries. The era’s major events—the unification of Germany and Italy, and the scramble for colonies and influence abroad—show how a strong sense of national identity could drive states to outdo one another on the world stage. While imperialism, militarism, and liberal ideas were present, nationalism directly ties the idea of belonging to a nation to political competition and national ambition, making it the best fit for the concept described.