Social Studies 20-1 Review (copy)

What is a Nation?

You began Social Studies 20 by considering the issue of what is nation.  Consider the following: 

Country and Nation

Some people believe that country and nation mean the same thing. There are words we use that suggest this is true. For example:

• Nation-state means “country.”
• International means “between countries.”
• Nationalism among other things can mean, “striving for a country.”
• Only countries can be members of the United Nations

The word “nation” was originally a Latin word that meant, “people” or “race.”

 Many people believe that the word nation refers to a group of people and is different from the idea of country. 

Nation as a Concept

 Many academics have tried to define what a nation is. Which views do you agree with?

• The nation is the people.
• Nation emerges from a feeling of belonging.
• The nation is an imagined political community.
• The nation exists when people want self-government.
• The nation expresses the soul of the people.

 

Nation as a Collective

 Another definition is that a nation is a collective  — or group — identity. When we use words like “we”, “us,” and “our” it shows that we are thinking collectively.

Nation as a Patriotic Concept

 Patriotism means love of your country.

 Some people believe that you show patriotism by supporting whatever your country does while others believe patriotism can be expressed by speaking out against problems in your country. Some people love their country so much they would be willing to die for it. Would you?

 

Flags of the World 

Nation as a sense of belonging

Some people love their country so much they would be willing to die for it. Would you?

The French Revolution and its Significant Impact on the Rise of Nationalism

"Many historians believe that the French Revolution marked a turning point in the history of European nationalism.  As a result of this revolution, the people of France changed the way their society worked.  They beheaded the king and many of the aristocrats who lived in luxury while people who were poor starved - and they transformed France from an absolute monarchy to a republic.  

France was the first European country to become a republic.  Before the revolution, the king had been the focus of many French people's sense of nation.  But the revolution changed this.  People began to focus their loyalty on the idea of themselves - the people- as the nation."   

Exploring Nationalism by Gardner et all.  (2008). p 44

Please watch the following video,  What caused the French Revolution by Tom Mullaney, to review the events of the French Revolution.

What caused the French Revolution by Tom Mullaney

To summarize, the French Revolution shifted French citizens' collective consciousness to the idea that they, the people, are the nation.  In Social Studies 30 you will look at different ways in which a nation should best be organized.