Nations & Identity

Nations & Identity

Should Nation be the

foundation of identity?

To what extent should we embrace nationalism?• This key issue involves

an understanding of several components:– Nation– Nation-state– Nationalism– Patriotism– Self-Determination– Sovereignty– Ultranationalism– Internationalism– Humanitarianism– Supranationalism

• Predict what each of these words mean

How does this image make

you feel?

How about this one?

The Vimy Memorial took 11 years to build and stands on land granted to Canada byFrance to use forever. Carved into the memorial are the names of 11 285 Canadian soldiers who fought in World War I but whose bodies were never found.

Nation as Us“Every nation has a creation story to tell.” With these words, Canadian prime minister Stephen Harper began his speech to 15 000 people —dignitaries, soldiers, students, and civilians — who had gathered in France on April 9, 2007, for the ceremony rededicating the Canadian National Vimy Memorial.

The occasion marked the 90th anniversary of the Battle of Vimy Ridge, which took place on April 9, 1917, during World War I. Until then, Canadian soldiers had always fought with British forces. At Vimy, they fought together under a Canadian commander for the first time — and won a vital military position that the armies of Britain and France had failed to capture.

For many Canadians, the victory was an achievement that symbolized the country’s coming of age as a nation. Vimy gave many people a sense that when Canadians united, they could tackle, and achieve, great things. It gave Canadians a pride in “us” — and many Canadians continue to feel this pride today.

Key Terms• People disagree on the meanings of the term

nation and nationalism

– The word “nationalism” did not even exist in the English language until the middle of the 19th century!

– Many people use nation and country as synonyms, while others feel a nation has nothing to do with physical borders or government

• Nation - as a group of people who feel connections to one another in some way

• Nations are not necessarily countries – they can be a group of people who consider themselves to have a collective identity together.

November 27, 2006

The House of Commons has overwhelmingly passed a motion recognizing Québécois as a nation within Canada.

Note: It was not a recognition of Quebec as a nation, but rather the Québécois – the people

When talking about their nation, people often use words like “we,” “us,” and “our.” Collective identity is part of many understandings of nation.

Think about the groups you belong to. Your family and school might be at the top of your list. But you might also belong to other collectives. Do you, for example, belong to a religious group? A language community? A country? Not all groups are nations — but a sense of collective identity is a key aspect of all nations.

Nationalism & the Olympics

• The Olympics is a popular international sports competition that brings nations together in the name of sport

• In what other ways does the Olympics allow for displays of nationalism?

• Watch the following video and note the various displays of nationalism

• http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zpqGxaOH900

Jesse Owens• Jesse Owens won four gold

medals in track in field at the 1936 Olympic Games in Berlin where Adolf Hitler expected the Germans to prove their physical superiority to the world.

• Ironically, Owens was cheered enthusiastically by over 100,000 spectators in Berlin but had to ride the freight elevator to his reception in New York because he was not permitted to use the same elevator that white people used.

• http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=K1XclGwJY8s&feature=related

Nationalism & the Olympics

• Alwyn Morris, a Kahnawake (guh-nuh-WAH-gay) Mohawk, held up an eagle feather while receiving his medal at the 1984 Olympic Games.

• The eagle feather represents honour, friendship and life

• “I raised the feather to share that experience and identify the fact that I was a Mohawk person, and I was very proud of that aspect; of being able to share that experience of being an Aboriginal person, share the aspect of my grandfather, and the honour that I wanted to bestow on him. And certainly from Canada’s perspective I was representing the country.”

Alwyn Morris accepting a gold medal for the 1000-metre two person kayaking event

• Nation-state means country– Only nation-states can belong to the UN

• Nationalism has several meanings, including:– Striving for a country– A feeling of devotion for a nation– The shared sense of belonging of people who

identify themselves as a nation

• Patriotism: Love of/devotion for a country– People often use patriotism and nationalism as

synonyms, but patriotism only refers to the devotion to a nation-state

• Self-determination: The power to control one’s own affairs.

National self-determination is the power of people within a nation-state or nation to make their own decisions about what is in their interest.

• Sovereignty: the political authority to govern and control the affairs of the nation without interference.

• Ultranationalism: An extreme form of nationalism. Ultranationalists are often fanatically loyal to their own nation and hostile and racist toward other nations.

• Internationalism: All members of the global community accept collective responsibility for the challenges that face the world and that the motives of nations and nation-states must be respected in the search for solutions.

• Humanitarianism: The providing of aid in a time of tremendous suffering.

Aid is often in the form of money, supplies and services, including the care of refugees.

• Supranationalism: A policy by which countries agree to abide by the decisions of an international organization made up of independent appointed officials or representatives elected by member states.

Nationalist Spectrum

Ultranationalism -- Nationalism -- -- Supranationalism --Internationalism

Views about nationalism can be placed relatively on a scale, called a spectrum. Throughout the course, we will be revisiting this spectrum as we learn about key people and events who have influenced different perspectives on nationalism.

In order to answer the key course issue – To what extent should we embrace nationalism?, we need to examine the alternative views on nationalism and decide where along the spectrum our ideas best fit.

Symbols

Nationalism & Identity

Nationalism & Identity

• Identity is often impacted by the presence of symbols

• Symbol - Something that represents or suggests something else.

Symbols & Identity• Identify any symbol that is personally meaningful to you (i.e.

religious symbol, sports team, consumer logo, etc.)• Write why this symbol is meaningful to you• Create a chart with two columns labelled “+” and “-” • While your classmates are describing their chosen symbols, assign

each symbol to either your “positive” or “negative” column, based on your personal reaction

• As a class, what types of symbols do we feel unified in supporting?

• What types of symbols divide us?• Symbols can be very powerful in uniting people to support or

oppose a cause!

National Symbols

• Brainstorm a list of common Canadian national symbols

• Consider symbols that are:– Uniquely Canadian– Are widely recognized– Have strong attachments to many

people– Are long-lasting

How have the following symbols created unity or division?

The Power of Symbols

• Powerful symbols are often:– Simplistic– Easily accessible– Touch a deep desire

or need– Make people feel

special

• Why might some symbols be more powerful than others?– For example, is the

Canadian flag more powerful than the Canadian Coat of Arms?

– Is the Mercedes logo more powerful than the Toyota logo?

National Symbols

• Recall in Soc 10-1 or 10-2, you studied the impact of globalization on individual and collective identities

• A coat of arms is a common symbol used by nation-states to represent their collective identity– Includes symbols of the shared heritage, goals,

values and aspirations

American Coat of Arms and Presidential Seal

Royal Arms of the United Kingdom

The Arms of Canada• Canada’s Coat of Arms includes

many symbols of Canadian identity

reflects the royal symbols of Great Britain and France

The lion is a symbol of valour and courage.

From sea to sea

motto of the Order of Canada: "Desiderantes Meliorem Patriam". (They desire a better country)

Coat of Arms Assignment• To help get to know each other, you will be creating a

personal coat of arms to share with your classmates• A personal coat of arms should represent the most

important elements of your identity. – Design your own personal coat of arms reflecting elements

that make up your identity. Include aspects of your individual and collective identities.

– Include a motto that sums up a key value or goal in your life.

Return to your Coat of Arms• Did you include any

similar elements from the Arms of Canada on your personal Coat of Arms?

• How much do you value being Canadian?

• Do you identify more with your province or with your country?

• What other symbols have you included?