From Peoples into Nations

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This book explores the history of East Central Europe from the late eighteenth century, a region often challenging to define due to its complex boundaries and diverse nations. Connelly emphasizes that, despite linguistic, geographic, and political divisions, the peoples of this area shared a common experience. The narrative begins in the 1780s with Habsburg monarch Joseph II, who mandated the use of German in hopes of fostering a unified nationality. Instead, this decree ignited nationalistic movements among smaller groups striving for independence from empires. The author illustrates how the national self-assertion that emerged during imperial rule in the 18th and 19th centuries laid the groundwork for the region's subsequent history, including the formation of nation-states after World War I, the challenges of democratic governance during the interwar period, and the domination by Nazi and Soviet regimes post-1939. The book connects major themes and national histories, chronicling the region's evolution through revolutions, genocide, and struggles for democracy, leading to the contemporary rise of illiberal leaders who exploit longstanding fears.