Birth & Kinds of Nationalism

    In this article, I would talk about the concept of “nationalism.” Nationalism’s root word is “nation.” Nationalism, in simpler terms, means “love of one’s nation.”



    Nationalism was first realized in the French revolution. Let’s go back to History. Back then, France was a super power in the region of Europe. However, due to their superiority, they had gained a lot of enemies and rival nations. Until one day, France’s worst nightmare came true; majority of these rival nations formed a coalition to attack France in a war. Upon knowing this, the French panicked. They created the Nationalism Act which ordered each French citizen to volunteer in the nation’s defense. The French government even gave bonuses to those who would join the military. And at a time of intense red alert, the whole nation acted in pursuit of one goal – to defend the Mother Nation, France. In only one year, the French military doubled its size miraculously.



    This was the birth of Nationalism. Let’s go to England. In another time in History, the English showed incredible nationalism. One example is when their Queen Elizabeth dressed up in armor ready to combat an expected Spanish fleet that will attack England. Even the Queen is ready to die for her nation!



    In the 19th century, a prophet named Mazzini, Giuseppe wrote his works about nationalism. His primary thesis is that nationalism is the main guiding principle of every one in the future. People will only be happy if they have their nation. And that peace can only be achieved if everyone is accorded with their respective nations.



    Now, let us explore a concept called “Right-Wing Nationalism.” Right-Wing Nationalism is a brand of Nationalism that was used to justify crushing down opposition or separatist movements. For example, a certain nation that is continental in size has a lot of small units of government  (or subordinate rulers). And one of those rulers is ruling in an isolated place, as if the place does not belong to the continental nation. If this ruler revolts or declares separation from the state due to the circumstances, the gigantic army of the continental nation can attack this ruler and justify it by saying “we are only ONE nation.” Think of modern China wherein Tibet and Taiwan wants to separate and declare independence. China has the mentality of Unity thus causing conflict among them.



    Let’s go back once again to History. In the Nazi era in history was one of the scariest especially in the rise of Germany’s Adolf Hitler. Hitler wanted German domination over the world. Believe it or not, his ideology is nationalism. He believes that only his nation should reign supreme. It is an extreme form of nationalism which can be termed as “Racist Nationalism.”



    Chao!



    I hope you learned something today! Are you nationalistic? Think about it.