How has nationalism changed the course of history?

These days we are witnessing immense rise of nationalism in the world, which, many decades ago change the course of human history. Beside existing rise, nationalism has been an important factor in the development of Asia, Africa, North America, South America, Europe, and Australia.

In the 19th century, a wave of romantic nationalism swept the continent of Europe transforming the countries of the continent. Some countries, such as Germany and Italy were formed by uniting smaller states with a common "national identity". Others, such as Greece, Poland and Bulgaria, were formed by winning their independence.

It was the French Revolution that paved the way for the modern nation-state. Across Europe radical intellectuals questioned the old Monarchical order and encouraged the development of a popular nationalism committed to re-drawing the political map of the continent. By 1814, the days of multi-national empires were numbered. The French Revolution, by destroying the traditional structures of power in France and territories conquered by Napoleon, was the instrument for the political transformation of Europe. The ideals of European nationalism had been exported worldwide and were now beginning to develop, and both compete and threaten the empires ruled by colonial European nation-states.