In the early nineteenth century, nationalism was strongly associated with revolution, with a desire to overthrow the existing political order. Thus, in the decades following the defeat of Napoleon, conservatives were generally united in their hatred of nationalism. Over time, however, many conservatives came to see nationalism as a powerful weapon for defeating their ideological rivals and reinforcing the political and social status quo. By co-opting the nationalist program of their ideological rivals, conservatives could claim to represent the interests of “the people,” even as they maintained the power of traditional elites. The documents included below represent two very different perspectives on this development.