Ultranationalism and Genocide Chapter 9 Ultranationalism and Genocide

“Nationalism is a set of beliefs taught to each generation in which the Motherland or the Fatherland is an object of veneration and becomes a burning cause for which one becomes willing to kill the children of other Motherlands and Fatherlands…” “Patriotism is when love of your own people comes first; nationalism, when hate for people other than your own comes first…” “Ultranationalist groups often perceive threats to their existence and argue that they must engage in preventive measures, such as ethnic cleansing or deportation, to counter these dangers…” Genocide: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=q7us3yxGa4E

Chapter Issue Chapters 7 and 8 explored the pursuit of national interests, nationalism, and ultranationalism. Ultranationalism- is an extreme form of nationalism, often involving extreme patriotism, which often leads to conflicts, and can interfere with co-operation between nations and its people. In this chapter, we will examine the extent to which ultranationalism is a cause of genocide. (Mass murder, ethnic cleansing) We will examine case studies such as -Nazi Ultranationalism (Holocaust) -Stalin’s Industrialization (Ukraine Famine) -Genocide in Rwanda

Locations of major acts of Genocide around the world Holocaust (1942-1945) (Extermination of over 6 million Jews and millions others, including Poles, Homosexuals, physically and mentally disabled) Rwandan Genocide (1994) (Death toll of over 800,000 Rwanda men, women and children) The Ukraine Famine (1932-1933) (Starvation and death of 7 million-10 million innocent people) The East Timor Genocide (1976, 1999) (Genocide killed nearly 200 000 people, 1/3 of the population)

Genocide Genocide is a tragedy of humankind, and is a threat that continues to this very day. As you proceed through this chapter, think about why nations decided to carry out genocide as an act of nationalism and the pursuit of their national interest. When and how did nationalism turn into ultranationalism, and how did ultranationalism lead to such an extreme act of humankind?

Ultranationalism Not all ultranationalist acts go to the extremes of Genocide… United States, in reacting to the tragedy of September 11, 2001, adopted many aspects of ultranationalism, and took the extreme action of invading Iraq. President George Bush described Iraq as an “axis of evil”, and accused the governments of its country of building and using weapons of mass destruction. By using these reasons to wage war on its people, and the United States pursuing “war on terrorism”, as their national interest…could this be a negative example of ultranationalism?