In this week’s reading of Age of Empire, Eric Hobsbawn focuses on the creation of nationalism. Nationalism was established through the countries accepting and proomoting a democratic society. Although the united countries under this democracy was not the cause of nationalism. The countries instead had a liberal view under the democracy the each wanted and this liberal view began to cause unanticipated tension both inside and outside the county. People began to develop a strong sense of pride for their country, and began to identify themselves with their nation. However, some took their pride to the extreme and used it as a way to defend its country which in turn caused struggle between certain groups within the countries and people began to clash. I viewed nationalism, at this time to be a concept of saving grace. People identified witht their country and felt a strong sense of pride and belonging which really gave their country hope during war times.
I find it interesting that people at this time was very vocal in how they wanted the government and their country to be ran. Although they came to an agreement that they wanted a democracy, they were all dominantly liberal in terms of their view.
My question is how did nationalism directly aid the countries during war times?
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I agree it's interesting that there were many people who voice their opinions and also find it interesting how there are still many people today who outwardly voice their disagreements with the current government and their stances; just at the G-20 itself, there were hundreds of protesters trying to make their claims heard. While, I may not agree with all of the protests or think that it has as large of an effect as it may have in earlier times, but it's still interesting none-the-less.
ReplyDeleteI think this post is very interesting. It reminded me of the United States' displays of natinoalism during the war against Iraq and even the past election. The post mentions that although natinoalism is uniting, it sometimes caused struggles between certain groups because it is taken to the extreme. Today, I see this displayed in the United States and think it is a phenomena that will always occur. With the war, anti-Bush citizens rallied againt Bush supporters in a protest of the war; with the past election, conservatives rallied against liberals in support of Obama, saying outrageous things such as he is a terrorist. Regardless of the situation, as long as their are groups that are passionate about something and there are groups that have different views on the matter, their will be conflict. Even something that seems as positive and helpful as nationalism can turn into conflict and divide people because they are ot willing to change the beliefs they feel so strongly about.
ReplyDeleteI agree. Its crazy how it takes a tragic moment or some tramatic wrong to force people to unite against it. Interestingly enough, when nationalism occurred in the past often times it was a reaction to a corrupt or unjust government and individuals banned together to tear down the nation in order to save the nation. Its also amazing what differences people are willing to overlook during these crisises, but when they are over they are unwilling to accept them. Why is that?
ReplyDeleteI think everyone has a bit of "bi polar disorder" when it comes to nationalism. One minute they are proud of their country and what it stands for and the next minute they are throwing their country under the bus every chance they get! I agree this is quite common in the US. One minute no one supports the war in Irag, and they can't stand the President - next minute they want us to get the job done in the middle east, and it's "all hail barack!" People, americans in particular, are just very indecisive - go with the wind type of people. I think its very uncommon to find someone whose views never change. But is that really the type of people we want in our country? People who can't change their views depending on the situation? Don't we want a diverse culture? Just something to think about...
ReplyDeleteAn interesting question. Try answering it in your next blog!
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