Why was the issue of nationalism more complicated in the Habsburg lands than elsewhere in central Europe?

Nationalism in the Habsburg lands was more complicated because of the liberal/radical conflicts and class distinctions among the different ethnic groupings. The Empire comprised of Poles, Germans, Italians, Romanians, Croats, Ukrainians, Czechs, Slovaks, Slovenes, Serbs and Hungarians. The groups had varied interests, and each sought individual autonomy as experienced during the Revolutions of 1848. Although they shared similar problems, internal liberal/radical conflicts and class distinction proved a major challenge to nationalism.

The different nationalist factions suffered from internal conflicts between radicals and liberals. The radicals supported the establishment of social republics, on the other hand, liberals were uncomfortable with the impending land reforms agitated for by the radicals.

The lower classes were also indifferent to the nationalist agenda. They did not perceive any direct benefits of nationalism because of their social status. The upper and middle classes, on the other hand, were supportive of nationalism because of the new opportunities that it presented. The societies remained divided and unable to sustain the nationalist agenda.