War on Nationalism Why Australia needs to move forward from nationalism Australia 's sense of nationalism and mateship is believed to have been founded on the shores of Gallipoli, in the midst of a cold and deadly war. It is a time, in which Australians came together as one, supporting one another and enduring the blood-filled consequences of war as a nation. It is a significant era that marked who we are as Australians and has become an important part of our culture and community. However, what if there was no war? Many historians believe that nationalism was one of the main factors that fuelled World War I. Nationalist ideologies led many leaders and citizens in many countries to believe their nation to be above others. In the years leading up to the war, people from Europe, America and even Australia, all believed in the economic, cultural and military supremacy of their nations, so much that people chose to sign up to fight and possibly die for their country, should a war take place. The different countries ' adoption of strong nationalistic attitudes led to the arrogance and overconfidence of many nations. This, together with other factors, played a …show more content…
Having pride in one 's country probably doesn 't have negative implications; however, Nationalism is exclusive only to certain groups. Australia 's sense of nationalism, as evident on Australia Day, is exclusive only to white Australians and assimilated non-Anglo Australians, and excludes Aboriginal people. Along with indigenous Australians, immigrants from developing countries who come to Australia with the hopes of a better life are often racially discriminated and encouraged to assimilate to our ‘Aussie’ ways of life. In 2009, Australia 's sense of national pride turned particularly shameful when a large group of intoxicated young people, wearing the Australian national flag turned to targeting non-white people in a riot which resulted in the damage of cars and houses owned by non-white