For my final exam I am to analyze and dissect the origins and progression of imperialism and nationalism in Europe from 1660 on with emphasis on the 19th century. I was wondering if these two concepts tie into WWI and WWII at all and if so how? I understand the concepts but a general overview of the roots and growth would be greatly appreciated. Thanks a lot
I'm not going to attempt to answer a question this big -- especially not if it's your homework -- but Benedict Anderson's Imagined Communities is a classic work that deals with many of these questions. The introduction/first chapter of that book should be helpful to you.
Another work that you should consider looking at is Hannah Arendt's seminal and very readable book "The Origins of Totalitarianism."
Arendt addresses explicitly how the practice of imperialism by European nation-states both overseas and towards minorities within their own domestic borders led to the First World War and the Second.
In particular Arendt devotes a significant sections of her work to imperialism's formulation in the 19th century and the rise of nationalism during the inter-war period.
http://www.worldcat.org/title/origins-of-totalitarianism/oclc/236549