Nationalism in Music

The romantic era was a time in the second half of the 18th century in Europe that was complex, artistic, literary, and intelectuall. One of Romanticism's key ideas and most enduring legacies is the use of nationalism, which became central in the Romantic art and political philosophy. Early Romantic nationalism was heavily influenced by Rousseau, and by the ideas of Johann Gottfried von Herder, who in 1784 argued that the geography formed the natural economy of a people, and shaped their customs and society. Romanticism played an essential role in the national awakening of many Central European peoples lacking their own national states. Revival and reinterpretation of myths, customs and traditions by Romantic poets and painters helped to distinguish their cultures from those of the dominant nations and make transparent the legends of Romantic nationalism. Patriotism, nationalism, revolution and armed struggle for independence also became popular themes in the arts of this period. It is debated who the most distinguished Romantic poet of this time was, but in Europe was Adam Mickiewicz, who developed an idea that Poland was the Messiah of Nations, predestined to suffer just as Jesus had suffered to save all the people. From this period many nations, including, Europe, Russia, and even Japan derived a national anthem.