Blog 6 - Nationalism

    As I continue to read The Age of Empire by Eric Hobsbawn, I am becoming more intrigued by the topics presented and the method at which it was presented. This week of reading was very interesting. In chapter 6, Hobsbawn discussed nations and nationalism. With the rise of democracy, nationalism played a key role within the development and sustainability of it. There was a positive correlation between the rise in democratization and the rise of nationalism. Nationalism popularized from 1880 to 1914. During this time period, nationalism evolved to include both right wing and left wing politicians. An important aspect of nationalism was that it related to democracy and education. Because of these factors, it helped nationalism become mainstream. Since people were being educated and it was becoming ever so popular, people were becoming a lot more interested in pride. People began to identify themselves with their nation and individual patriotism evolved again.

    What is nationalism? According to Hobsbawn, the readiness of people to identify themselves emotionally with their nation and be politically mobilized as citizen of a country. People were mobilized by way of elections. The countries used elections to give citizens the buzz of being a impact to society. By way of that, the person would be able to effectively participate in the countries affair and politics. When the people become involved it would be easier for the country to mobilize in time of trouble and stress. Why is nationalism important? Nationalism is important because it was important for every nation to have their people have a sense of national pride. It would be easier for countries to recruit soldiers, defend themselves, and advance in technology. Despite all the nationalism, tensions arose with various countries.

    As previously stated, nationalism became favored because of ties with democracy and education. Democracy and nationalism had a very specially relationship. The idea of democracy allowed the people to utilize their freedoms and right. Also, education was important as well. Education informed people about their country and heritage.

    The end of the Eighteenth century had seen revolutions in the name of freedom and equality in the New World as well as in France. While the new United States continued to wend its way Westward under basically democratic principles, France's revolution essentially replace a rotten hereditary monarchy for militarism, under the leadership of Napoleon Bonaparte. At the beginning of the century, Germany was not a united nation, but a conglomeration of duchies and principalities, perhaps with a common purpose, and a common language and culture, but separated politically.

        As previously stated, nationalism became favored because of ties with democracy and education. Democracy and nationalism had a very specially relationship. The idea of democracy allowed the people to utilize their freedoms and right. Also, education was important as well. Education informed people about their country and heritage. One final question: Did nationalism really been incorporated in Basketball and education. What the importance of emotional in Nationalism?