Final answer:
Nationalism has often led to contention after the assassination of prominent figures, such as Archduke Franz Ferdinand in 1914 and Mahatma Gandhi in 1948, influencing the course of historical events like the outbreak of World War I and the partition of India.
Step-by-step explanation:
Arguments over nationalism often intensified after the assassination of key historical figures. One notable instance is the assassination of Archduke Franz Ferdinand of Austria-Hungary in June 1914, which led to the splintering of nationalist groups, especially in the Balkans. The Archduke's death, at the hands of a Slavic nationalist seeking independence for ethnic Serbs, incited various ethnic groups within Austria-Hungary to push for their own self-rule, ultimately contributing to the outbreak of World War I.
Similarly, following the assassination of Mahatma Gandhi in 1948 by an extremist Hindu nationalist, there was a division within nationalist movements in India. Gandhi's vision of a secular India clashed with the desires of more radical elements that sought an India primarily for Hindus. The conflicts between differing nationalist visions underpin many significant events in history, such as German and Italian unification movements, revolts against French Napoleonic rule, and the ideological shift during World War I when socialist internationalism gave way to nationalist sentiment among socialist parties.
Nationalism has been a powerful force shaping our world, for better or worse, culminating in both independence movements and global conflicts. These divisions and debates around nationalism have often escalated in the aftermath of the assassinations of prominent leaders who represent various facets and ideals within the nationalist spectrum.