Nationalism in America: The Reform Movements Essay

1. United States government reflected the rise of nationalism on a nationalism based legal and rational concepts of citizenship, and based on a common language and cultural traditions, rather than ethnic nationalism. The War of 1812 also inspired American nationalism for many reasons.

Nationalism units people to come up with new ideas and inventions to make life better for everyone. During the eighteen hundreds, there were hints of nationalism but there was also increasing sectionalism. This sectionalism took control of people's emotions and put nationalism on hold. That period in time did not see the growth of American nationalism but growth of sectionalism because of industrialization, urbanization, slavery, and abolitionism. In the eighteen hundreds, people show that if there is too much sectionalism than it is very hard for people to be nationalist.

After learning about nationalism I have realized the importance of being educated about world history and how nationalism surrounds me in my daily life. This course has led me to a deeper understanding of my values, beliefs, and perspectives. Nationalism connects to my personal life by educating me about my family history, the country I live in, and how the country I live in has formed some of my values.

Nationalism has always been around, but it made its first real debut in early 1800’s Europe. Many countries at this time were striving to become independent, and get out from under the larger countries’

“Nationalism is an ideology based on the premise that the individual's’ loyalty and devotion to the nation-state surpass other individual or group interests”(Kohn). Nationalism affected the 19th century because it made the people and their governments believe that their country was superior to the other countries. Nationalism led to the unification of many modern states such as Italy and Germany and is one of the reasons of why it had such a great impact in the 19th century. “Nationalism was the most successful political force of the 19th century”(Fordham). The French Revolution had three main ideas; liberty, equality, and fraternite that go hand in hand with Nationalism.

The French Revolution directly affected the nineteenth century through the creation of many ideologies, one important one being nationalism. Nationalism is a very controversial ideology because of the many diverse approaches towards its true definition. A broad definition of nationalism could be perceived as a strong devotion towards the culture and identity of a nation. As well as the idea that nations will benefit more from acting as an independent nation opposed to multiple states working together as a collective. Its emergence completely changed the political map of Europe and resulted in the birth of many new nations. There are many different views towards the true reason for the emergence of Nationalism in Europe. Many historians believe the emergence can be credited to the French Revolution and later the continuation of ideas under Napoleon Bonaparte. While others believe the Industrial Revolution held more importance for the widespread arrival of nationalism. It seems better to encompass both and argue that the emergence of nationalism in Europe was caused by the French Revolution, Napoleon Bonaparte’s rule, and the Industrial Revolution.

Nationalism was formed with the idea that a nation is made up of people who are joined together by common language, customs, cultures and history. It held the belief that one should be loyal to the people of their nation, not a king or empire. Nationalists believed that people of a single nationality should unite under a single government. The concept of Nationalism emerged in the French Revolution and was spread to the rest of Europe by Napoleon’s conquests.

Nationalism is the bond between common languages, customs, cultures, and history, and is the driving force behind love and devotion for one’s country. From 1914 to 1918 World War I (WWI) destroyed the lives of people in many countries. Countries fought for their alliances and to improve their own country. During as well as after the war, many countries were unhappy. Nationalism transformed Russia, China, and India between the years 1900 to 1939. Of all the countries, nationalism transformed Russia the most.

Since 1983 public education has been an issue in America. The system has been constantly changing every year with reforms. This constant change has been driven by the American people’s perception that education has declined and something should be done about it. First there was an increased emphasis on basic skills, making school years longer and more graduation requirements. Second, many began focusing on increasing teachers professionalism. Third, they began restructuring many things such as how the schools were organized and how the school day was structured etc. Now today the most of the American people believe that not enough money is given to public schooling. They associate academic improvement with the money the school is funded.

As the main source of national identity, nationalism “makes [people] feel connected not only to one another but also to the homeland itself” (Jusdanis 28). In the case of the American founding, when the delegates from respective states met to construct a more perfect union, they did not identify themselves as Virginians or New Yorkers. Instead, they defined themselves as “we the people of the United States” as it appears in the Preamble to the US constitution. The shared interest in liberty and freedom as well as the attachment to the land of their fathers made it possible for the vast population of the thirteen states to think of itself as a unified body despite their internal ethnic and cultural divide. By identifying themselves as a member of certain group, people will form a society with certain shared value, which ultimately can become the political units for a democratic government. Nationalism is essential for creating a cohesive political community.

Nationalism can be described as a mix, multidimensional morally developed or created concept involving a shared common identification with one's Nation. It is more on politically motivated towards working and maintaining self-governance, or full sovereignty, working towards to a specific land or a territory of historical significance to the group such as land and its belongings. In simple Nationalism is a nation command and lead itself, free from foreign influence, it is the concept of self-rule. Nationalism is further formed towards maintaining and developing a Sovereignty based on shared features such as religion, language, race, culture, or either political goals or a belief in a customary ancestry. So its pride towards nation's achievements, and the concept in world history has shown positive and negative impact, moreover in a political dimension it leads either unification or disintegration.

Nationalism is being proud of your country and it is something historically people have worked for a long time to have. The rise of nationalism reshaped the world in many way including both socially and politically by mid-nineteenth century (1800’s).

Though all nations are tarnished with sin there is no greater quality, besides piety, to be found in a nation then the ability to see its wrong doings and correct them. The second being the ability to see the mistakes of others and avoid their wrong doings. America has done both, reforming its laws and avoiding nationalism, and with this they have improved on a great nation laid down by already great men.

     America was truly revolutionized by the invention of the assembly line, with the Ford Motor Company able to mass produce these cars people could drive anywhere and everywhere. Fords invention also created many jobs. With higher wages and fewer hours Henry Ford basically created a middle class for the American Society. At this period of time no other company had a shorter work day. As Ford produced and sold more cars he raised the wages. The American economy began to strengthen as more work became available to the people. Roads needed paved and gas stations needed attendants. With the automobile becoming an everyday car people began to travel, the hotel industry began to boom and the market for tourism had evolved. Business owners all over America began to love Henry Ford; for his

Nationalism is the belief that a particular nation is more superior than other nations, nationalism also promote self-governance and maintain independent from their own nation. Nationalism also use stereotypes to other nations and this also helps unifying their own nation. It is because those stereotypes are usually