What was a significant factor contributing to the widespread desires for independence in Europe during the revolutions of the 19th century?

Nationalism was a significant factor contributing to the widespread desires for independence in Europe during the revolutions of the 19th century. This intense sense of national identity and pride fostered a desire among various ethnic and cultural groups to establish their own sovereign states, breaking free from empires or ruling powers that dominated them. As people in regions like Italy and Germany sought to unify their fragmented states into a single nation, they were driven by the belief that they shared common language, culture, and history. This movement was fueled by Enlightenment ideas about self-determination and governance, which influenced the people’s aspirations to form independent nations that reflected their unique identities, values, and political aspirations.

The other factors, while influential in their own right, were not as directly tied to the desire for independence in the same way. Imperialism often involved European powers expanding their empires rather than promoting independence movements, whereas capitalism and communism dealt more with economic systems and theories rather than the nationalistic sentiments that sparked independence movements. Thus, nationalism stands out as the primary catalyst for the desire for self-governance among various groups during this tumultuous period in European history.