The emergence of nationalism in 19th-century Eastern Europe was primarily linked to which trend?

The emergence of nationalism in 19th-century Eastern Europe was significantly influenced by increased anti-Semitic rhetoric and violence against Jews. During this period, many ethnic and national groups were struggling to assert their identities within multiethnic empires such as the Austro-Hungarian and Ottoman Empires. Nationalism often identified a distinct "us versus them" narrative, which in several regions intensified existing prejudices and scapegoating.

The rise of anti-Semitism served to unify other national groups, as leaders utilized Jews as a common enemy to rally support around a national identity. This trend manifested in political discourse, social movements, and increasing violence, as nationalist sentiments often turned towards exclusion, promoting the idea that only certain ethnic groups belonged in the nation. The increase in anti-Semitic sentiment illustrated the broader anxieties and tensions surrounding nation-building and the quest for ethnic homogeneity in a rapidly changing social landscape.

While the other options touch on various aspects of 19th-century social and political life, they do not capture the direct relationship between the rise of nationalist movements and the specific targeting of Jews and their communities at that time, which was a critical element in shaping nationalist ideologies.