Why did European conservative parties turn to nationalism during the 19th century?

During the 19th century, European conservative parties turned to nationalism primarily as a strategic response to the decline of their traditional power base and the rise of liberalism.1

As industrialization expanded the urban middle class and created an industrial working class, the rural peasantry—the conservatives' traditional source of support—diminished in relative size. With the progressive expansion of the franchise, conservative parties needed to cultivate broader electoral support to remain competitive in parliamentary systems.12

By identifying themselves with nationalist sentiments, conservatives gained popular appeal in an era of intensifying patriotic feeling. This strategy was notably employed by leaders like Otto von Bismarck, who leveraged nationalism to unify Germany and implemented social welfare measures to mitigate class conflict and secure working-class loyalty. While this shift helped conservatives maintain influence, it also fostered a climate of international rivalry that contributed to the outbreak of World War I.1