Nationalism is the love and feeling that ones nation is superior which is needed for a nation to come together. Nationalism often inspires states to unify as one. This has happened many times throughout Europe. For the most part nationalism has brought more positive than negative change. Nationalism shows itself abundantly in the unification of Germany and Italy as well as Nazi Germany.
In the unification of Germany there was a positive example of Nationalism. Nationalism was why Germany was eventually unified as one state. Before unification Germany was broken into many states. At the time Napoleon was a French emperor and took over Germany in attempt to unify them. The invasions that Napoleon inspired Germans and they began to demand a unified German state. As a result the German confederation was created by peacemakers. The German confederation was an alliance with Austria which was later broken. After the German confederation Prussia created the Zolverein which took down barriers between German states. These states were able to unify but under Prussian rule. Otto Von Bismark the Chancellor made it happen. Bismark was also a Realpolitik master and led Prussia into three wars that all strengthened Germany's unity. Bismark decided to break the German Confederation and went to war with Austria. "Austria's conflict and rivalry with us was no more Culpable then ours with her; our task was the established or foundation of German national unity." Germany continued to strengthen after unification through industrialization. The unification of German eventually inspired Italy to unify as well. .
In the unification of Italy there was a positive example of nationalism. Originally Italy had local regions because of foreign rule and warfare. When napoleon was making invasions and unifying Germany he inspired Italy to unify. Mazzini spent his time trying to unify and constitute Italy as one republican nation.