Starting in the late 18th century, the Age of Enlightenment set in motion revolutionary ideals that would eventually destroy the traditional feudal system and initiate the rise of nationalism in Europe. This “rise of nationalism” would span more than three hundred years, from the birth of the French Revolution to the outbreak of the Second World War. During this period, hostilities and violence between European nations would increase, due to the willingness of their respected peoples to support their given nation's aspirations of territorial conquest and economic domination, seen as guarantees of economic prosperity. and an invocation of national pride. Subsequently, the European peoples' fierce defense of their homeland would have both proactive and destructive repercussions throughout history. The French economy of the 18th century was on the verge of collapse, due to two costly interventions in colonial wars across the Atlantic. The Third Estate, which made up the majority of the French population, received terrible tax rates in order to save the ailing French government, which desperately needed funds to pay off the national debt. As a result, Rousseau's vision of government that "a people can only be free if they govern themselves" became incredibly popular among the French population, due to the attractive idea of ​​French citizens controlling the government. rather than an absolute monarch. However, although Rousseau did not directly favor a republic (as he viewed representatives as the removal of power among the unrepresentative population), his ideas regarding the rights of the people to create their own laws and to effectively control the government, indirectly stimulated the creation of the French republic...... middle of article ......the idea of ​​nationalism in Europe could be identified as both a blessing and a curse, due to its constructive characteristics and destructive. In terms of proactivity, the nationalist uprisings against monarchical rule in the 18th and 19th centuries (French Revolution) enabled the acquisition of civil rights and freedoms among the people of Europe. On the other hand, disasters such as World War I and World War II were sparked by deeply nationalist nations, who sought to preserve their culture by conquering their enemies. Ultimately, the desire to preserve their respected cultures enabled the peoples of Europe to achieve extraordinary achievements that led to the modernization of Europe, as well as causing unimaginable disasters including the carnage witnessed by those who survived led them to question the very principles of nationalism that once united them..