Focus on Nationalism


Citizenship and Identity

As part of the Social Studies 20-2 course, the knowledge and understanding students develop will help them become active and responsible citizens. Informed and concerned citizens are aware of their ability to make a difference in their world. Students will build on the following ideas while asking the related questions:

  • What is the link between a person's identity and the identity of the nation?

  • How does a country's national interests affect other countries?

  • Can a country's national interests be in harmony with those of other countries?

  • How does nationalism affect Canada's national identity?
 
         Students march in support of Hong Kong activists

Nationalism at a Glance

Imagine that you are standing for O Canada at a hockey game. Or perhaps you are watching Canadian athletes at the Olympics. Or maybe you are watching on the news what Canadians are doing to help in other countries.

Perhaps you feel loyalty for Canada when you hear the national anthem. Do you feel pride when you see Canadians doing things in other countries? Pride and loyalty for your country is called nationalism. Nationalism sounds very simple, but it can be a very strong and complicated force.

Nationalism can be powerful enough to unite people to do something that is very difficult. At the same time, nationalism can also divide people enough to make them cruel to each other. In this course, you will discover that people have various understandings about the meaning of nationalism.


Thistle Hockey Team Kenora, Ontario, 1907

Alert Ladies Hockey Club, 1922, Canada

Diversity and Tolerance

Canadians are part of a multicultural world. It is important for Canadians to understand the importance of diversity. At the same time, it is also important to have respect for each other's differences. Our varied experiences and understandings make Canada the great nation it is.

Over time, Canadians have struggled with understanding their identity. Canada's history reflects the country's Aboriginal and First Nations heritage, bilingual nature, and multicultural identity. Canadians have come to recognize a pluralistic view about Canada's identity and that the Canadian identity has been shaped by aspects such as culture, language, geography, ideology, religion, and racial and ethnic differences.
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Perspective Your views are an important part of this course. Social Studies 20-2 is designed to meet your needs and to represent the views of Canadians of many backgrounds. Many people with many views have been consulted in the design of this course. However, to show the point of view of every person or group is impossible. All Aboriginal and First Nations people do not have the same views, and neither do all Francophones, recent immigrants, or even long-time Canadians. If you feel that your perspective has not been shown in this course, please contact your teacher. You can have a part in the education of your fellow students.

Your unique perspectives are always welcome.