Understanding Nation and Nationalism

Understanding Nation

• Multiple perspectives: Nations can be understood through various lenses, including patriotic, linguistic, ethnic, religious, geographic, social, historical, economic, and political viewpoints.

Ethnic Nationalism

• Shared characteristics: Ethnic nationalism unites people based on shared racial, cultural, or linguistic traits.
• Advantages: Promotes unity among those with commonalities.
• Disadvantages: Can lead to prejudice and hostility toward other ethnic groups.

Geographic Influence

• Regionalism: Geography significantly impacts national development. Regional similarities or differences can either unite or divide people within a nation.

Civic Nationalism

• Core elements: Civic nationalism centers around citizens and their shared values and beliefs. A nation's citizens united by these commonalities constitute a nation, regardless of other differences.
• Unity: A nation's citizens' shared values unite them.

French Revolution

• Economic woes: By the late 1780s, France's economy was in crisis, largely due to conflicts with Britain. The king attempted to tax all citizens, including the nobles, but these efforts failed.
• Estates General: To address the crisis, King Louis XVI called a meeting of the Estates General (a French legislative body). This was the first meeting in 170 years.
• National Assembly: Frustrated by their lack of representation and ignored in the Estates General, members of the Third Estate formed the National Assembly.
• Abolishing Feudalism: The Assembly implemented reforms including abolishing feudalism and seizing church lands to alleviate bread shortages.
• Tennis Court Oath: The Third Estate was locked out of their meeting room and, in response, vowed to draft a new constitution on the tennis courts.
• Declaration of the Rights of Man: A document announcing equality, liberty, and brotherhood.
• Storming of the Bastille: A Paris prison, the Bastille, was stormed on July 14, 1789, releasing prisoners and symbolizing rebellion against the monarchy's oppression.
• March on Versailles: A large group of Parisian women marched to Versailles, demanding action on bread shortages, and forcing the King to relocate the government to Paris.
• Constitution of 1791: This constitution formally legitimized the National Assembly and limited the King's power, established a constitutional monarchy, but also included a Civil Constitution of the Clergy that controlled church officials under state control.
• Foreign reaction: European leaders felt threatened by the French revolution and many royalists sought refuge elsewhere; Austria, in particular, sought to reinstate the monarchy.
• National Convention: Taking over the National Assembly in 1792, this more radical body included more representation from working people. France went to war with Austria, with Jacobins wanting a republic.
• Levée en Masse: France conscripted able-bodied people to fight against her enemies.
• Reign of Terror: A period of violence and mass executions, particularly under Robespierre and the Committee of Public Safety, targeting the enemies of the Revolution.
• Reign of Terror Executions: Roughly 30,000–40,000 French citizens were killed by guillotine.
• Directory: A new, less democratic government structure was created.
• Napoleon Bonaparte: Overthrew the Directory in a coup d'état and seized power, eventually becoming Emperor of France.
• Napoleonic Code: Introduced legal reforms, including promoting religious tolerance and rebuilding France's economy, schools and infrastructure.
• Napoleon's Downfall: His decision to invade Russia led to his defeat with the "Great Retreat", and subsequent exile after the Battle of Waterloo.

Non-Nationalist Loyalties

• Conflicting loyalties: Loyalty to other groups or affiliations, like religion, culture, race, ideology, class, and feelings of alienation, can cause division within a nation. These can create social tension, even conflict.