What is going on in 19 century Europe?
Throughout the 19 century there are common "ism's" that keep popping up. Nationalism and imperialism come to mind. The 19-century was about European super-powers trying to expand their reign and influence over other less influential countries. Mean while some less powerful countries underwent a rebuilding process, and the industrial revolution took place.

Both Italy and the German states both underwent unification processes as well as the Greeks finally gaining independence. The common theme if nationalism is shown in the Italian revolution when Italy and France became allies to break out of the grips of Austria. Also when the Balkans rose above the influence of Austrian and Russian control to gain their freedom. Nationalism was a key element in many countries finally rising above their imperialistic counterpart. Such as in Greece, when the Greeks finally broke free from Ottoman rule after 400 years of enslavement. These nationalistic movements set standards that are still being pursued today. When China broke from European rule after years of being divided their main drive was nationalism.

Imperialism was used as a tactic to get what the country needed in time of war, famine, and peace. Larger and more influential countries, to get more resources to be used as finished products in their home country, used imperialism. A good example of this is when France, England, the United States, and other smaller European countries broke up China into spheres of influence. This had a huge economic and political effect on Europe. Also with the exploration of new lands Many European countries such as Portugal, France, Spain, and of course England, had territories all over the globe that were being ruled by the Europeans with the natives having no power.

Europe in the 19 century was all about resources. If your didn't have the resources necessary to survive, you lost out. Power was also a leading factor, the more land you had, the more power you were thought to have. These statements are what most European countries lived by and used to survive.