Patriotism In Canada Essay

Identity is a complex topic for Canadians. How can we define ourselves as a nation if individually we are all different? The country of Canada became united under one flag and one anthem in 1867. Today, separatists like Douglas Christie and Tom Best have a hard time connected with the anthem, our countries means of unity. In the documentary ‘Disunited Sates of Canada’ Douglas Christie speaks to the comparison of the ‘Star Spangled Banner’ to ‘O Canada.’ He says that when he hears American’s sing there anthem he feels passion behind it and it leaves goosebumps under his skin. Yet, when he sings or hears the Canadian anthem he does not feel confident in his nation. This statement touches on an emotion felt by many Canadian citizens today, including myself.

Many people across the globe argue that nationalism within Canada is simply not feasible. It is said that we as a people, differ so greatly with our diverse cultures, religions, and backgrounds that we cannot come together and exist together as a strong, united nation. In his book, Lament for a Nation, George Grant tells the reader that “…as Canadians we attempted a ridiculous task in trying to build a conservative nation in the age of progress, on a continent we share with the most dynamic nation on earth. The current history is against us.” (1965) Originally directed towards the Bomarc Missile Crisis, the book argues that whatever nationalism Canada had was destroyed by globalization as well as the powerful American

Extending from the Atlantic in the east, to the Pacific in the west and northward into the Arctic Ocean, Canada is one of the most prosperous nations on Earth. This prosperity is represented by the voice that every citizen possesses thanks to the forefathers of Canada and the guaranteed rights and opportunities that the people of Canada rely on. As a nation, the pride, opportunity and freedom is not all Canada has to offer. Further, the natural beauty of Canada’s vast and beautiful lands come from various environments such as the Rocky Mountains, the tundra in the Arctic, and the farmland in the prairie's. In the great white North, having access to a universal healthcare system, celebrating cultural diversity of the people and the

Pierre Trudeau is the greatest Canadian of the twentieth century due to the fact that he declared Canada’s independence from Great Britain, he abolished the death penalty, and he created the Official Languages Act, making our nation entirely bilingual.

Nationalism is an important aspect of national pride and identity for countries around the world. For example, Canada takes pride in its cultural identity, one that is claimed to be different from other ‘Western’ more ‘industrialized’ nations, such as countries in Europe, and the United States. Even though Canada currently has a national identity that differs greatly from that of other more established countries, history has dictated the way in which a particular national identity exists today. In Canada, Samuel De Champlain and the French established colonies that created a cultural clash between the French Europeans, and First-Nations Canadians within the country. However, this notion of French Canadian Nationalism isn’t necessarily embraced by all of the Canadian Population. This paper seeks to analyze important pieces of Canadian History that have contributed to a broken concept of what constitutes Canadian nationalism, with an emphasis on how historic events prevent and affect coherent Canadian Nationalism in modern society. Through the analysis of the notions and histories associated with ‘First-Nations Nationalism’, ‘Quebecois Nationalism’, and a broader ‘Anti-American’ identity embraced by many Canadians, this paper seeks to locate common ground within the culturally diverse Canadian population in order to progress toward a singular coherent

There is much controversy surrounding the idea of patriotism and the iconography of the American flag in today’s society. Some believe patriotism is simply the act of supporting the decisions of the leaders of the country. Others say, to be patriotic, people should be outspoken and voice their oppositions to what is going on in the government. Opinions also differ on the idea of what the American flag represents. One opinion of the flags representation is that the flag represents our history, and the formerly mentioned idea of patriotism. Others believe the flag also represents our history as a nation, but these beliefs focus much more heavily on the negative aspects of our history; such as slavery and other injustices carried out by our

Culture can be defined as the behaviours and belief characteristics of a particular social, ethnic,

The great war was a big influential period for canada, a lot of things happened that affected canada in a positive way, without these monumental experiences it is very possible that canada would be different today in many ways. World war one will forever be a defining moment in canada's history but not just for canadians but for everyone who was affected directly by the war. Following our very important involvement in the war , canada economy improved, canadian women were granted more right and canada was seen and feared as a strong independent country.

In World War I, the victory of the Allies was caused by the turning point of a stalemate on the Western Front of the Battle of Vimy Ridge. It was “the Canadians willingness to forgo nationalism in the interests of efficiency and effectiveness that marked a new” (Dickson 40) transition of the ending of war. Through the second battle of Ypres, the Battle of Aras, and observing the previous bloodbath at the Battle of The Somme, the Canadian Expeditionary Force (C.E.F) perfected their defense tactics and techniques to fight in the evolutionary battle that made Canada a nation.

The strength of the Canadian identity that we, as a society, enjoy today is a direct result of a number of significant historical events. The Battle of Ypres, the Battle of Vimy Ridge and The Last Hundred Days are all events that are recognized worldwide and demonstrate the strength and integrity of our Canadian legacy. Although not all of these battles were won by the Canadians, their valiant efforts and patriotism paved the way to the most historical win at Vimy Ridge During World War 1. Canada helped lead the allies to victory through their exceptional efforts in the battles of Ypres,Vimy Ridge and The Last Hundred Days, which most definitely helped strengthen Canadian identity as a nation

Becoming a Canadian citizen could be a vast change for refugees or just immigrants as well. It could be a positive change or a negative change or, it could effect them in both ways. For people that may have been escaping from a country that is intervening in war or on the brink of war, it may be a very positive change because they aren't on their feet all the time and aren't concerned wether a bomb is going to be dropped or if soldiers will burst through their doors at any given moment. For evacuees becoming a Canadian citizen might mean insuring their safety especially for those whom have kids. It’s exactly like a paradox for them that in one part of the world it could be this safe and in another its completely the contrary. Becoming a citizen of a peace keeping country instead of a country in war could impact your collective identity very much. Your collective identity as a Canadian citizen means you would be known for things different of what you would've been known for before.

There are many views pertaining to the Canadian identity yet, all the interpretations come unify Canada into a strong and resilient homeland. Canadian identity has been characterized by its diverse and amalgamated society and its heritage in sports. The example chosen to represent Canadian identity is a Canadian commercial “We All Play for Canada” by Canadian Tire (Youtube, 2014). This commercial represents Canadianess through enthusiastic approach towards 2014 Winter Olympics. Through various signs and symbols, this commercial takes on the semiotic approach to convey the message of Canada’s pride in being Canadian.

During the time of the confederation in 1867, Canada was merely seen as one of the established colonies within the British empire and was hence subordinate to the British Parliament and its decisions, however it was gradually becoming more independent over a series of events that took place over the years. From 1914 to 2017, Canada has continuously gone though gradual political processes and developments untimely gaining its own identity and national pride. Canada has many positive events that shaped it identity and contributed to gaining independence from Britain after World War II, such as the making of the symbolic Canadian flag, the Order of Canada, and the Constitution Act of 1982.

During the twentieth century, Canada as a nation witnessed and endured several historical events that have had a deep and profound influence on Canadian politics. The most influential and constant force in twentieth century Canadian politics has been the increasing power and command of Quebec nationalism and the influence it has had on Canadian politics today. Quebec nationalism has shaped the structure and dynamics of Canadian federalism from a centralized to a decentralized form of federal government (Beland and Lecours 2010, 423). The decentralization of several sectors within the Canadian government has been a direct effect of Quebec nationalism. Decentralization has led to more autonomy among the provincial governments, especially in

As the 20th century comes to an end, Canada is a transcontinental nation whose interests and representatives span the face of the globe and extend into every sphere of human behaviour. However this was not always the case. When the four colonies of British North America united to create Canada on July 1, 1867, the new country's future was by no means secure. Canada was a small country, with unsettled borders, vast empty spaces, and a large powerful neighbour, the United States. Confronting these challenges was difficult for the young country. Though Canada was independent in domestic matters, Britain retained control over its foreign policy. Over the next fifty or so years, Canada's leaders and its