The rise of Nationalism came about from 1880 to 1914 with a reformation for what was typicaly associated with nationality. Nationalists sought to keep socialist and liberals out along with aggressive expansion of state. The rise of democracy allowed a shift in nationalism to a term for any group seeking form its own independent state, which amassed a shockingly high amount. The perfect time for nationalists, people who identify themselves emotionally with “their” nation’ and to be politically mobilized in which could be politically exploited,” as I will show later. Thus Nationalism became a political force. Nationalism in this era had four characteristics. The first characteristic is nationalism and patriotism became associated with political movements. Second and third was national self determination and full state independence. The last characteristic is a nation tended to be characterized by ethnicity and by larger part language. Why did rise of nationalism become necessary?
Nationalism was used in a high degree to stop revolutionary agitations. They government needed a way to unify the state into a “nation-state.” This was done a variety of ways such as turning civilians into police, firefighters, postmen, and more. Essentially acting as ever watching eyes for the government as communities evolved from “villages and kin, perish and barrio, gild, and con-fraternity” this allowed the government a way to counter subjects non loyal to the state. Monarchies even went as far as to adopt this new sense of “Nationalism” by exchange of royal family members and adoption of their nationality to appear closer to their ruled subjects. This allowed for less internal turmoil. This is not the only reason nationalism became essential as economic advancements in technology and education came about.
Secondly, the technology in this era coupled with education, at least literacy created a fruitful economy. Oral communication started to breakdown as an influx of migration took place. Education met loyalty as it taught students how to be respectful citizens and subjects of the state. Thinking back to my orginal question what made nationalism necessary, ones view point may be it provided a way to unify everyone, with schooling, and more specifically an official public language. There were however, several unofficial languages which could not compete with the official language, so there was no government to stop “private life.” Nationalism provided more than just educational as it served as way to assimilate several cultures.
Nationalism also became necessary in a way to assimilate cultures. Assimilation did not come without prejudices of skin color and “culture friction.” Nationalist reformed “nationality” so to speak as a network of personal relations, at least regarding migrants. It served as a way to allow new migrants to adapt to life in the new world through means of nationality ties such as Irish, or Germanic.
It is clear throughout the reading of Chapter Six, Nationalism has many meanings and regards from ideology of nationalist movements to a broader appeal of Nationalisms. Nationalism came about from Democracy as a way to solidify a state into a “nation-state.” Three prime reasons nationalism was necessary was one to quell Revolutionary agitations through means of civilian government workers. The economic advancement in technology and education led to an official public language. The third reason is assimilation of different cultures into one nation by allowance of private life aspects to carry on in a new environment. Nationalism was made necessary for a unifying bond between state and nation to occur. My question to anyone is had nationalism not “blew up” in this era what may have replaced it?
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It is an interesting question, as it is hard to imagine nationalism not taking off like it did due to all the contributing factors. It is quite possible that liberal and socialist ideals that had risen to prominence earlier in the century may have tried to gain a greater foothold in the absence of any such movement. At the same time, the nationalist ideal was not new to the nineteenth century. Empires dating to centuries B.C., for example Rome, were very imperialistic. This imperialism was in large part based on the sense of national superiority. Thus, advancing one's state was almost always present. In the late nineteenth century, nationalism was mobilized within the lower middle class for the first time and was strengthened by democratization. I guess I just can't imagine nationalism not being part of global society, as pride one's country seems to be engrained in us just as is pride in one's family or work.
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