Final answer:
The relationship between liberalism and nationalism in the 1830s was rooted in shared Enlightenment foundations and goals of protecting revolutionary gains. Champions of both ideologies typically belonged to the middle class and sought to build modern nation-states that valued individual liberties. Over time, conservatism merged certain aspects of these ideologies, contributing to the formation of unified nations like Italy and Germany.
Step-by-step explanation:
In the 1830s, the concepts of liberalism and nationalism were intertwined through their shared origins in the Enlightenment and the revolutionary struggles of the eighteenth century. Liberalism, stemming from ideals of reason, progress, and Enligthtenment philosophy, emphasized freedoms such as expression, popular sovereignty, representative government, and protection of private property. Nationalism, likewise, was based on the concept of a connected people with a common identity and goal, often overlapping with liberal ideals like the right to self-determination. Both ideologies sought to protect the gains of past revolutions and lay the groundwork for modern nation-states while promoting individual liberties.
Some middle-class nationalists, who arose from various professional backgrounds, also supported liberal ideas. Many nineteenth-century nationalist leaders, like Mazzini, adopted liberal principles. Although initially liberalism and nationalism diverged from conservatism, as time went on, even conservatives began to assimilate aspects of these ideologies, eventually shaping the national unifications of Italy and Germany. However, nineteenth-century liberalism contrasts with today's understanding of the term, which now often includes support for government intervention, something earlier liberals opposed.