Definition
Nationalism is the social or political philosophy which calls for the need of the welfare of the whole nation or state to be considered as an entity which is paramount for its development. This requires all the citizens to have the consciousness or collective state of mind, that most importantly all their efforts, duty and loyalty solely belongs to the state. This requires people to demonstrate, concern, and love for their nation. The emphasis of nationalism overemphasizes the love and loyalty to one’s nation which may result in the neglect of the rights of other nations which at times leads to international conflict. This philosophy probably came up as a result of the French revolution. This helped in the formation of bonds which held the French nation together.
Thesis Statement
The aspect of nationalism is developed when people come together and have a common agenda for their nation. This is developed when the people have a sense of belonging to their nation which brings them together, since such a large multitude feel that they have something in common. The sense of national identity is only developed when people feel that they have a common race, language, or religion. With a common identity it gave way for the establishment of a formal structure to rule the people. Intense nationalism is also illustrated by the formation of the German empire.
The Irish document is true identity of the principles of nationalism. This is an indication on how the people of the nation were being handed power by their government so that they could entrust everything that belonged to Ireland to their children. The people of Ireland were given the belief that they their old tradition of nationhood was what bound them together. Having one common origin was the driving force that led to Ireland being politically independent. The spirit of togetherness was instrumental in the forging of a strong political unit which enabled the Irish people to fight for what was rightfully (Thomas et al, p.1). By having a strong connection to their nation through loyalty, the Irish people in America and across Europe were able to come together to help retain what was rightfully theirs.
The people of Ireland were ready to stand together to fight for the sovereignty of the nation. This strong will of the people strengthened the economic ties of the Irish people. This was because the Irish had an unwavering desire. By claiming their territory it strengthened their political muscle which would enable them to stabilize socially and economically. When every Irishman and Irishwoman was able to declare their allegiance to Ireland it made Ireland strong politically. Every citizen was then guaranteed to equal opportunities, equal rights, and the much needed civil liberty which enabled them to progress socially (Thomas et al, p.2). This enabled all the Irish people to pursue prosperity and happiness which would become the foundation of their progress economically.
When the majority and minority groups felt that they all had a common course for the country it forged loyalty and unity among the Irish. The government that was finally elected by the Irish was for the people, by the people and with the people. This made sure it would remain strong economically, socially and politically as all the citizens of Ireland were ready to sacrifice themselves for the common good of their country.
The French revolution and its ideals were supported by (Johann, p.1), however the invasion of Germany by the French led to the formation of the formidable spirit of nationalism. The French revolution was viewed as an act of gaining independence from the oppressive government. However the French revolution wanted to extend their political territory by infringing on the German people which was viewed as a threat of their sovereignty prompting nationalism. The true meaning of nationalism was illustrated as people who spoke the same language could be joined together to form a strong political force. This perceived way of the unity of such people through nature was instrumental in making them inseparable which resulted in them growing strong socially. The German were led to belief that it was the force of much higher powers that had made it possible for them to be located where they were. Therefore no external or human force had the right to eject or rule over their natural place of birth. This is sense of being of the same descendant resulted in forging a strong social unit by the Germans.
The foreign countries were seen as intruders who had come in to pollute the German nation that was pure. The external enemy was seen as selfish, and only had one common agenda to divide the German people. Realizing this, the German people saw the need to stand together to fight the external enemy that had invaded their land (Johann, p.1). This act to defend the nation was an act of loyalty by the Germans to their country. Germans had to defend their territories from the French and this was the only way that they could remain politically independent. Through standing up for what was rightfully theirs it enabled them to keep with them the vital resources. These resources were fundamental in leading to their progression economically. With such political and economic strides it ensured that every citizen felt that they all belonged to the same group and community. Through the sense of belongingness strong social bonds were formed which enable progressive social growth amongst the people.
Imperialism
Definition
Imperialism was the desire of states to strengthen their empires through the use of aggressive power to continue increasing their territorial borders. This was the belief, that it was only through imperialism that the nations could strengthen the political, economic and social powers. These attempts by the various states were principally retained and established formal sovereignty, over other nations which had inferior political societies. This could only be possible through the exercising of political influence and control on the weaker political communities. Through this a nation could expand their existing political, social, and economic influence around the entire globe.
Thesis statement
Over the last five or four centuries in the history of the world, imperialism has been one of the most powerful forces. This led to the carving up of most of the continents as the indigenous people were oppressed. All this was driven by the desire to further and strengthen the existing political, economic, and social interests of a nation. This would bring the enrichment of the nations in form of labor, raw materials, markets, and land. Ireland was among the first colony which eventually became the British Empire. Imperialism was exercised by most of the dominant empires. Some of the most dominant empires included: the British Empire, the German Empire and the French Empire. All these empires aimed at gaining larger territorial borders, which would enable them to control the abundant resources which they could use for their development. The industrialization progress prompted them to build larger empires. However this imperialism was a blinding factor to some of the empires as it prompted to become power hungry and greedy, which resulted in the loose of focus.
“Poet Laureate of Empire” gives an insight on how imperialism was used to strengthen the strong political ties of the different nations during the 18th and 19th century. It acted as form of guidance on how the need for more political control on larger territories would help in the gaining of political power. However it warned on the dangers of losing sight of this goal which lead to losing all the gains that had been achieved. This acted in warning the western nations not to get fixed on imperialistic views which would detrimental to the building of the empires which they desired. This acted as warning for moderation: that even though imperialistic powers would bring about great economic gains through industrialization there was need for cautiousness. (Rudyard, p.1) therefore illustrates on how the western nations had to moderate their political, social and economic growth. This was because of the concerns that they had. The natural resources that were acquired through imperialism were then used in moderation.
One of the big reasons for imperialism was the need to gain much power and authority. This would only be made possible as illustrated by the scramble for Africa. The western nation saw this as the opportunity to enlarge their territorial borders and gain the political muscle. Imperialism also brought about the improvement of the culture of the people. This was good for their social development. This was made possible as most improvements of cultures could only be possible through riding on the bad things which would ultimately go down to various forms of fighting. During this time war was used as a fighting tool to conquer and brought about the division and segregation of numerous nations.
The imperial conquest of the French was aimed at strengthening the economic position of the state. This is all illustrated in the Le Petit journal which explained on how the wealth and the future of the French people relied on the need to extend their colonies, and ensure that they became prosperous (William, p.62). The prosperity on the nation was hinged on the fact that it could only be made through imperialism. Through imperialism the French attained resources which ensured the economic and industrial growth within the country. The French strived and expanded their imperial conquest so that it could help in improving their social and economic issues. Through getting of colonies the French felt that they would gain the markets for their products which would be beneficial for their economic growth.
The German Empire also had to keep focus on imperialistic goals so that they could strengthen their political, social and economic ties (William II, online). This was shown by the strong will of the German people to defend the territories which they acquired. This is an indication on how on the western nations through imperialism enlarged their territories and gained political power in the 18th and 19th centuries. With large territories came resources which were used for development socially and economically.
Works cited
Thomas, Clarke et al. The Proclamation of the Irish Republic to the People of Ireland.
Web. October 22, 2012
Johann Gottlieb Fichte, Thirteenth Address, Addresses to the German Nation, ed. George A. Kelly (New York: Harper Torch Books, 1968), pp. 19091,19394,19798.
Retrieved 22, Oct, 2012. http://www.fordham.edu/Halsall/mod/1806fichte.asp
Rudyard, Kipling. The “Poet Laureate of Empire” Issues a word of Warning. Web. 1897
William, Schneider. The Petit Journal in, an Empire for the Masses. Westport, Conn.:
Greenwood, 1982, p. 62.
Sir Henry, Stanley. European Imperialism in Africa: A veteran explains the Rules of the
Game. Web. October 22, 2012
William II. William II offers Characteristic Bombast. (1897). Web. October 22, 2012
