19th Century Europe: Autonomy and Responsibility In the 19th century, many changes were taking place across Europe. Many of these changes focused on the individual, which was an important aspect of European society. However, many changes also focused on the responsibility of individuals towards the nation. During this period, many individuals demonstrated their right to self-government through political systems such as liberalism, while also showing their loyalty to the nation through movements of nationalism and imperialism. During the period in which Europeans focused on themselves, rather than on society as a whole, liberals began to emerge. Liberals promoted limited government and wanted to protect the rights of the individual. Liberalism was an autonomous political system, meaning that people believed they had the right or power to self-govern. Liberals favored equality before the law for all citizens, religious tolerance, and freedom of the press.1 During this period it was more important that people's rights and duties be recognized by the government, rather than for the government to focus exclusively on about earning money. and power. During the nineteenth century, many advances were made that improved Europe's desired system of self-government. The Second Industrial Revolution occurred during which the agricultural and industrial world developed, improving the standard of living. Many Europeans began to migrate to the cities with the hope of finding jobs and better lives. The standard of living improved greatly and the autonomous system of liberalism prospered. As more and more individuals began to focus on their rights and responsibilities as individuals, they also began to focus on their res...... middle of paper ......Western Civilization, 168.6 War and Civilizationî in Rogers, Aspects of Western Civilization, 180.------------------------------------------ -------- ----------------------------------BibliographySmith, Helmut Walser. German nationalism and religious conflict: culture, ideology, politics, 1870-1914. Princeton, New Jersey: Princeton University Press, 1995. This book explores the relationship between religion and Germany's national identity. In particular it touches on the conflict between Protestants and Catholics as Germany sought to create its own liberal identity. Smith also provides an analysis of the social, cultural, and political dimensions of German life. Finally, Smith explores the role of political Protestantism and the nature of national identity in Germany today.