Answer :
Enlightenment ideas and the French Revolution played crucial roles in the growth of Western European nationalism in the eighteenth century, promoting ideas like the sovereignty of the people and national identity. The Industrial Revolution contributed as well, although its impact on nationalism became more pronounced later. Therefore, the correct option is 2) Enlightenment ideas.
The growth of Western European nationalism in the eighteenth century was profoundly influenced by several key events and cultural movements. Among these, the Enlightenment ideas played a pivotal role. The Enlightenment was an intellectual movement that emphasized reason, logic, and individualism. Philosophers like John Locke and Jean-Jacques Rousseau put forth ideas about the sovereignty of the people and the notion of a social contract, which greatly contributed to the rise of nationalism by redefining the relationship between the government and its citizens.
Another significant factor was the French Revolution, which with its rallying cry of 'liberty, equality, fraternity' sparked a new sense of national identity and the power of the collective will. It helped establish the precedent that nations could be structured around the will of the people rather than the dictates of monarchs or emperors. Lastly, the Industrial Revolution, although it began slightly later, around the mid-eighteenth to the nineteenth century, also contributed to nationalism by fostering national economic interests and the growth of a collective working-class consciousness.
While colonialism also played a role in the development of European nationalism, its impact became more pronounced in the nineteenth century. It fostered a sense of competition among European nations and the drive to expand empires, which in turn reinforced national pride and identity. Therefore, the correct option is 2) Enlightenment ideas.