Introduction to Social Studies 20-1/-2

Throughout this course, you should return to the main question:

 These units break the large question down into four smaller questions.  Unit I – To What Extent Should Nation Be the Foundation of Identity?  Unit II – To What Extent Should National Interest be Pursued?  Unit III – To what Extent Should Internationalism Be Pursued?  Unit IV – To What Extent Should Individuals and Groups in Canada Embrace National Identity?

 Unit I- To what extent should nation be the foundation of identity? ◦ 1. Chapter one – Nation and identity  A. Defining nationalism  I. What is it?  II. Why learn about it?  III. How is it used?  1. positively  2. negatively  B. Concepts of a nation  i. collective concept  II. Patriotic concept  C. Understanding how nations form  I. Language,  II. ethnicity  III. culture,  IV. religion,  V. geography,  VI. relationship to land,  VII. spirituality,  VIII. political ties  VIV. Civic nations & nationalism  X. ethnic nationalism  D. The Evolution of Canada’s National Identity  i. myths  II. Symbols ◦ Chapter two – Shaping Nationalism ◦ Chapter Three – Reconciling Nationalist Loyalties ◦ Chapter Four – Reconciling Nationalist and Non-Nationalist Loyalties

Nation and Identity

A. Defining Nationalism

Nation is a group of people united by a shared understanding: ethnicity language geography culture civic understanding History Spirituality Ties to land ism’ is a distinctive practice, system or philosophy

 Before I tell you, why don’t I show you?       Lets start with Canadian Nationalism. It’s the form of nationalism most near and dear to our hearts.

 That feeling, the one you are feeling RIGHT now, proud to be Canadian, those feelings are where nationalism starts. Those feels grow into nationalism. Those feelings have POWER

 Often confused with patriotism (pride for one’s country), nationalism makes one want to stand up and DO something to celebrate their nation, ACT on those feelings and let the world know why they are proud to be part of that nation  Its what individuals choose to DO on behalf of the nation that can have positive or negative consequences

In our modern age, nationalism is not resurgent; it never died. It is the most powerful movement in the world today, cutting across many social systems. Isaiah Berlin

 Provides individuals with a sense of belonging and identity  Brings individuals together and provides a shared meaning to their lives  Empowers nations to stand up for themselves and their right to be recognized (self-determination)

 It can be difficult to pin down what defines a nation  Its easier when nations define themselves based on what they are not  Promoting differences can lead to discrimination against those who are different from one’s nation  Difference  Discrimination  Suspicion  Hate  Death  WAR  This is not a ‘what if’ scenario. Millions of people have willingly sacrificed themselves for their nation or been murdered as a result of nationalism

Does nationalism bring the nation together? OR Does the nation express nationalism once its formed?

I. Collective Concept II. Patriotic Concept

 What caused nations to come together?  I. Nation as a Collective Concept ◦ Nations form when groups begin to think as a whole. The difference can be found in simple pronouns.  Eg. ‘we won the game last night against the US National Soccer team.’  They attacked us in the War of 1812 ◦ This collective sense of identity makes us feel connected and protective of one another. An victory for one is a victory for all. An attack on one is an attack on all

II. Nation as a patriotic concept  Patriotism is the love of one’s country. How does the individual show love for a country? ◦ Canada Day ◦ Remembrance Day ◦ Voting in every election and becoming an informed citizen ◦ Become a product member of society ◦ Defend multiculturalism ◦ Be a good representative of Canada abroad ◦ Be willing to put your life on the line if Canada is threatened?

Nations do not form without one or more shared understandings of identity The factors we will cover next BIND nations together like glue 338&safe=active

I. Linguistic Understanding of Nation

 A common language can sometimes create a feeling of belonging so powerful that it inspires a sense of nation  Language creates a shared worldview. Consider why we study English every year of school and practice our language skills almost every waking moment.  Discussion Questions  Have you ever been in a situation where you couldn’t communicate with others?  When First Nations were forcefully assimilated into Canada, one of the first rules at the residential schools was that no native tongues were to be spoken. Why?  Considering that English has grown as over 380 million people’s first language in the world, why would Quebec petition for a recognized nation status? ◦ Eg. Shift from Quebec  the Quebecois because PM Harper passed a motion recognizing that ‘the Quebecois form a nation within a united Canada’ in 2006

II. Ethnic Understandings of Nation

 Ethnicity: shared racial, cultural or linguistic characteristics  When a nation is formed based on ethnicity, it is because people wish to be close with others that share the same racial, cultural or linguistic characteristics.  Canada is a nation populated largely with immigrants. Unless individuals identify themselves as members of First Nation tribes, they all came from or descended from a country other than Canada.  Many Canadians identify themselves as Chinese-Canadian, German-Canadian, or South African-Canadian. Why do you believe this is a Canadian practice?  People do not have to live in their mother country to feel like they are a member of the same nation. Individuals self identify and choose to be close to other like minded members of their nation.  Eg. In most major cities in Canada, there is a section called ‘Chinatown.’ While any individual can spend time in Chinatown, why do Chinese-Canadians feel comfortable there, often going out of their way from where they live to shop in Chinatown?

III. Cultural Understandi ngs of Nation

 Culture, shared values, practices, norms, and behavior, can also inspire a sense of nation.  EG.  While similar to ethnicity, the cultures of First Nations are distinct  First Nations individuals from the west coast vs the plains may share ethnicity, but their culture is unique

IV. Religious Understandings of Nation

 Religion is a powerful force that brings individuals together.  Religion does not need political boundaries to unite a nation.  Eg. The Jewish nation has existed for 3000 years, despite Anti-Semitism (discrimination based on an individual practicing Judaism) and a lack of home (Israel was given to them in 1948, following World War II).

V. Geographic Understanding of Nation

 Geographic nations are brought together by physical features in the land, mountains, lakes, oceans and deserts  Eg. Because Tibet is so isolated by mountains, living on a vast plateau, they developed a distinct language, culture, gov’t and religious beliefs

VI. Nation and Relationship to Land

 A nation can be formed because of respect and a relationship to the land.  Eg. The Blackfoot Confederacy or Niitsítapi (meaning "original people). Their historical way of life was tied to the land, its health and its ability to sustain them. ◦ The Blackfoot Confederacy was made up of: ◦ the Piikáni – the peigan ◦ Káínaa-- The Blood people "Many Chief people ◦ Siksikáwa – The Siksika-"black foot people“

VII. Spiritual Understandings of Nation

 Spiritual connections bring individuals together. Spirituality guides teachings of children and adults. It helps individuals make decisions, move together and act accordingly.  EG. The Sikska are bound together through their shared spirituality. Different from religion, they believe that every living being is connected and shares one spirit. Nature’s gifts are given from the Creator and they should never be taken for granted, or wasted.

VIII. Political Understandings of Nation

 Individuals that live close together come together politically out of necessity. Common laws are made and followed, leaders separate themselves from followers, and the nation begins to form. Political understandings of nation are based on self- determination.  Eg. When China began taking over Tibet in 1949, it took the United Nations over 15 years to act. The UN finally declared that since Tibet had been governing itself for thousands of years, they must be a nation whose sovereignty must be respected.

 Sovereignty: the political authority to control one’s affairs; must be recognized  Self – Determination: the desire or the power to control one’s political affairs  Do these words mean the same thing? If not, how are they different?

VIV. Civic Nationalism

Canada is a nation-state with sovereignty and a shared identity Considering that all canadians do not share any of the previous factors, how is this possible? When people, no matter what their ethnicity, culture, and language, agree to live according to particular values and beliefs expressed as laws, they have created a civic nation. ◦ People agree to abide by shared laws ◦ Mutual respect for laws enables people to live together peacefully.

To understand how a civic nation is made, first consider what humans would be like without laws This is called ‘humans in the state of nature.” Political theorists have been arguing about human nature for centuries. What do you think?

X. Ethnic Nationalism

 Ethnic Nationalism is founded on shared ethnicity, culture and language.  Eg. In the early 1800s, German-speaking peoples lived in a number of relatively small kingdoms, duchies, principalities and city states. Supporters of the idea of a single German nation-state believed that the German nation consisted of all people of German descent, including those living in Czechoslovakia, Austria, Switzerland, and elsewhere.  In 1871, people in the small German-speaking states, such as Bavaria, Prussia and Saxony, united to form the nation-state of Germany.

 Nation + state = nation-state  Nation-state is a country  This means that the nation shares a common identity and is united within internationally recognized political borders.

D. The Evolution of Canadian Identity

 National myths – shared stories, ideas, and beliefs that may or may not be accurate – are key to creating a sense of nation.  Consider the National Anthem – what can you learn about Canadians just from the lyrics?  Let’s consider how others view Canadians. If any, what truth is there to our stereotypes?

 In partners, chose the strongest Canadian symbol for our nation. A symbol is representative of something else. In this case, Canada. Prepare to make an argument for your choice.