Nationalism

Definition

Nationalism is a political ideology and movement characterized by a strong identification with one's nation, its history, culture, and values. It emphasizes the importance of national unity, sovereignty, and self-determination, often manifesting in a desire to establish or maintain a nation-state.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. Nationalism played a significant role in the United States' decision to go to war with Britain in the War of 1812, as the country sought to assert its independence and protect its national interests.
2. The Nullification Crisis of the 1830s was driven by a clash between nationalist sentiment and states' rights, as South Carolina sought to nullify federal tariffs it viewed as detrimental to its economic interests.
3. Expansionist and nationalist sentiments contributed to the United States' decision to go to war with Mexico in 1846, as the country sought to acquire additional territory and assert its power in North America.
4. American isolationism in the early 20th century was a reflection of nationalist sentiment, as the country sought to distance itself from the conflicts and entanglements of Europe.
5. The rise of nationalism in Europe and Asia in the early 20th century was a key factor in the outbreak of World War I and World War II, as nations sought to assert their power and protect their national interests.

Review Questions

• Explain how nationalism influenced the United States' decision to go to war with Britain in the War of 1812.
  • Nationalism played a significant role in the United States' decision to go to war with Britain in the War of 1812. The country sought to assert its independence and protect its national interests, such as the right to free trade and the protection of American sailors from impressment into the British navy. The desire to establish the United States as a strong, sovereign nation and to defend its national honor and dignity were key motivations for the conflict.
• Describe how the clash between nationalist sentiment and states' rights contributed to the Nullification Crisis of the 1830s.
  • The Nullification Crisis of the 1830s was driven by a clash between nationalist sentiment and states' rights. South Carolina, which had a strong sectionalist identity, sought to nullify federal tariffs that it viewed as detrimental to its economic interests. This reflected a broader tension between the nationalist impulse to maintain a strong, unified nation and the desire of individual states to assert their autonomy and protect their regional interests. The crisis highlighted the ongoing struggle to balance national unity and state sovereignty within the American political system.
• Analyze the role of expansionist and nationalist sentiments in the United States' decision to go to war with Mexico in 1846.
  • Expansionist and nationalist sentiments were key factors in the United States' decision to go to war with Mexico in 1846. The country sought to acquire additional territory, particularly the disputed area between the Rio Grande and the Nueces River, as part of its broader nationalist agenda to assert its power and influence in North America. The desire to extend the country's borders and to protect what was perceived as American territory, as well as the belief in the nation's manifest destiny to spread across the continent, all contributed to the decision to engage in the Mexican-American War. This conflict reflected the growing sense of American nationalism and the country's ambitions to become a dominant regional power.

Related terms

Patriotism: A feeling of love, devotion, and a sense of attachment to one's country or nation, often reflected in pride, support, and defense of its interests.

Imperialism: The policy of extending a nation's authority by territorial acquisition or by the establishment of economic and political hegemony over other nations.

Sectionalism: A strong allegiance to one's own region or section of a country, often in opposition to the interests of the nation as a whole.