My dissertation examines the impact of four key independent variables on nation-building, on the evolution of the spread and intensity of nationalism. An ethnic basis (language, culture, identity, etc.) similar to the desired end-product as well as the growth of education facilitate nation-building. In most cases, industrialization hinders nation-building. Sudden shocks (collapses of empires, wars and revolutions) change the intensity of nationalism scores significantly during very short periods.