Nations and Nationalism

Key Definitions Nation: a large aggregate of people united by common descent, history, culture, or language, inhabiting a particular country or territory. State: a nation or territory considered as an organized political community under one government.

Key Definitions Con’t: Consciously combining the two concepts Nation-State: a sovereign state whose citizens or subjects are relatively homogeneous in factors such as language or common descent. Nationalism: patriotic feelings, principles, or efforts typically marked by a sense of superiority over other nations/foreign people and cultures.

Before Nationalism…. The multinational state, city state, empire, confederation (i.e. a union of political units), and other state formations. For most of the human experience, states did not usually coincide with the culture of a particular people, for all of the great empires and smaller states governed culturally diverse societies. Very few considered rule by foreigners itself a terrible offense, because local identities were upheld and maintained. Can you think of examples?

Roman Empire

Song Dynasty Empire

Ottoman Empire:

Aztec Empire

British Empire

Why Nationalism? The Atlantic Revolutions gave prominence to a relatively new kind of human community – the nation. By the end of the 20th century, the idea that humankind was divided into separate nations, each with a distinct culture and territory deserving an independent political life, was so widespread it seemed natural and long-existing.

Impact of Nationalism Political and cultural leaders begin to articulate appealing ideas of their particular nations to promote their state and rule. Inspired the unification of both Germany and Italy. Inspired other groups to assert their independence – such as Irish seeking home rule and separation from Great Britain. Increases international rivalry; negative view of foreigners. Governments today, still act on behalf of their nations and often seek to instill national loyalties through schools, public rituals, the mass media, and military service.