From its early years in the French and U.S. revolutions the idea of nationalism was markedly more internationalist and based upon popular sovereignty and common values and ideals such as liberty and democracy. Since its emergence it has evolved to become in some cases more focused upon the lines of ethnicity, race, language and common interests. Examples include most obviously Germany in the 20th century but also under Bismark were a clear nationalism to ones country was instilled based upon the aggravation of differences with other nations, in this case the French.
The French Revolution, formed the original ideas of nationalism around the overthrow of the monarchic state and the seizure of power by the ordinary 'citizens of the nation' connected by a common ideology. During the US Civil War, common ideology could not connect the 'citizens of the nation', thus, the character of nationhood was broadened to something which transcended national borders, as two national identities were formed within an already established nation. The German Empire changed the idea of national identity into something more solid and materialistic. Unlike the French Empire, who had attempted to unite multicultural Europe under one National Flag. In Germany, National identity became "all-German or non-German" tied in with blood, heritage, race and status.
Nationalism developed throughout the 19th century as many new nations tried to define who they were. It progressed from an intense rejection of everything foreign, as shown in the French Revolution, to a unity through ideals and purpose. As in America, two different ideals of the American nation were forming in the early 1800s, which could not co-exist. As a result the concept of nationalism was moulded into a fight for common ideals and a vision of what the nation would become. Having defined what they stood for and who they weren’t, nations then grew in strength and prestige sometimes to the extent that nationalism ‘over developed’. Imperial nations, such as Britain had such a fierce nationalism, that they saw their civilisation as superior to the rest of the world and colonising the ‘inferior’ became their God given duty.
The French Revolution formed an idea of nationalism with the concept of one being a ‘citizen’ of France. This was established through the overthrow of the monarchy and the feudal privileges and nobility of the old regime. By being a citizen of the nation, each man was entitled to equal citizenship rights regardless of their wealth or occupation; which were outlined in the Declaration of the Rights of Man and Citizen (1789.) In the United States, during the early 19th Century, two national identities one Northern and the other Southern formed within one geographically established nation. The German Empire also clarified the notion of national identity to only include people who spoke the national language and shared traditional German culture and values. This alienated anyone who did not fit into the ‘German’ camp such as Jews and Catholics. Imperialism was an extension of British nationalism, where those of white Anglo- Saxon ethnicity believed themselves to be of ‘superior race.’ They therefore sought to ‘educate ‘and impose British values on inferior colonized civilizations.
From the period of the late 1700’s to the 1900s the way many people all over the world viewed their identity as part of a nation changed. Through the act of colonialism and through the participation in wars many of the nations of Europe began to change the way in which they viewed a nation. Arising from the problem of what exactly was a nation countries such as France, England and Germany started to question, who exactly was part of this nation? The idea of nationalism became vastly important as it developed an ‘us verse them’ idea that helped clarify the aspects of the nation. Through the want to advance the fortunes and wealth of one’s nation completely separate from the needs of other nations lead to a great spread of nations striving for superiority. The great advancement of traded noted especially in Northern America as well as in England and mainland Europe saw nations striving to make as many connections as possible to bring in wealth. As time went by having connections with other nations was not enough and countries spread and crossed the world to find territories and establish colonies to build empires and show others how powerful they were. No longer was Nationalism just about being very proud of your country at home but it was being so proud of your nation that the needs of other countries became immaterial in the advancement of one nations development.
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ReplyDeleteRadley Sidwell (Student No.: 20304560)
ReplyDeleteFrom its early years in the French and U.S. revolutions the idea of nationalism was markedly more internationalist and based upon popular sovereignty and common values and ideals such as liberty and democracy. Since its emergence it has evolved to become in some cases more focused upon the lines of ethnicity, race, language and common interests. Examples include most obviously Germany in the 20th century but also under Bismark were a clear nationalism to ones country was instilled based upon the aggravation of differences with other nations, in this case the French.
Toby Nash
DeleteThe French Revolution, formed the original ideas of nationalism around the overthrow of the monarchic state and the seizure of power by the ordinary 'citizens of the nation' connected by a common ideology.
During the US Civil War, common ideology could not connect the 'citizens of the nation', thus, the character of nationhood was broadened to something which transcended national borders, as two national identities were formed within an already established nation.
The German Empire changed the idea of national identity into something more solid and materialistic. Unlike the French Empire, who had attempted to unite multicultural Europe under one National Flag. In Germany, National identity became "all-German or non-German" tied in with blood, heritage, race and status.
Erin Brodie
ReplyDeleteNationalism developed throughout the 19th century as many new nations tried to define who they were. It progressed from an intense rejection of everything foreign, as shown in the French Revolution, to a unity through ideals and purpose. As in America, two different ideals of the American nation were forming in the early 1800s, which could not co-exist. As a result the concept of nationalism was moulded into a fight for common ideals and a vision of what the nation would become. Having defined what they stood for and who they weren’t, nations then grew in strength and prestige sometimes to the extent that nationalism ‘over developed’. Imperial nations, such as Britain had such a fierce nationalism, that they saw their civilisation as superior to the rest of the world and colonising the ‘inferior’ became their God given duty.
Emma Incerti
ReplyDeleteThe French Revolution formed an idea of nationalism with the concept of one being a ‘citizen’ of France. This was established through the overthrow of the monarchy and the feudal privileges and nobility of the old regime. By being a citizen of the nation, each man was entitled to equal citizenship rights regardless of their wealth or occupation; which were outlined in the Declaration of the Rights of Man and Citizen (1789.) In the United States, during the early 19th Century, two national identities one Northern and the other Southern formed within one geographically established nation. The German Empire also clarified the notion of national identity to only include people who spoke the national language and shared traditional German culture and values. This alienated anyone who did not fit into the ‘German’ camp such as Jews and Catholics. Imperialism was an extension of British nationalism, where those of white Anglo- Saxon ethnicity believed themselves to be of ‘superior race.’ They therefore sought to ‘educate ‘and impose British values on inferior colonized civilizations.
From the period of the late 1700’s to the 1900s the way many people all over the world viewed their identity as part of a nation changed. Through the act of colonialism and through the participation in wars many of the nations of Europe began to change the way in which they viewed a nation. Arising from the problem of what exactly was a nation countries such as France, England and Germany started to question, who exactly was part of this nation? The idea of nationalism became vastly important as it developed an ‘us verse them’ idea that helped clarify the aspects of the nation. Through the want to advance the fortunes and wealth of one’s nation completely separate from the needs of other nations lead to a great spread of nations striving for superiority. The great advancement of traded noted especially in Northern America as well as in England and mainland Europe saw nations striving to make as many connections as possible to bring in wealth. As time went by having connections with other nations was not enough and countries spread and crossed the world to find territories and establish colonies to build empires and show others how powerful they were. No longer was Nationalism just about being very proud of your country at home but it was being so proud of your nation that the needs of other countries became immaterial in the advancement of one nations development.
ReplyDelete