Examples Of Nationalism Tool

Nationalism: Weapon or Tool

The summer air is finally cooling as dusk sets in. The smell of food on the barbeque still lingers in the air. Countless blankets are spread out across parks all over America, and other families are on boats or in their backyard. A hush falls over the entire country, and suddenly BOOM! Colorful explosions burst into the sky celebrating the anniversary of the Independence of the United States of America. Some would say going to such measures to celebrate a nation is extreme, while others say there are moments in history that deserve to be honored in such way. Whichever one may argue, both use the same word to describe it, nationalism. Nationalism is defined as pride in one’s nation, which, in many’s eyes, is

Others, however, believe that such behavior can be taken to an intense level. Dictatorships in the 1900s, such as Nazi Germany, displayed negative and violent traits of nationalistic views, while other countries or people in them, such as Mahatma Gandhi from India, presented Nationalism in a positive and peaceful manor.

Germany in the 1920s was ruled by a dictator by the name of Adolf Hitler. While in rule, Hitler gained a band of followers, known as Nazis, and together, they created a set of ideals, which were called The Nazi Party’s Goals. In 1920, Adolf Hitler presented a speech containing the Twenty Five Points of the Nazi party, which were objectives of a so called “perfect Germany.” A few of these points included Hitler’s views on how Germany should be a solely German state, excluding all others citizens, seeing as they would decrease Germany’s value and lifespan (Document

Mahatma Gandhi, an Indian Nationalist leader, used nationalism in more effective and less aggressive ways than those of Adolf Hitler. If Gandhi found a situation to be unfair or unjust, he would handle it in a way that prevented from harming others, whether it be the instigator or the victim. For example, Gandhi, along with the majority of the population in India, resented British rule in India, and wished to be independent as they once were. To set this to action, Gandhi led peaceful protests, such as marches, or speeches in order to sway the minds of those who took control of India (Document 2). As part of his campaign against British rule in India, Gandhi led a protest named the Salt March, during which the British arrested over 60,000 Indians who opted to create their own salt rather than buy or use British goods (Document 1). In spite of the reaction from the British, Gandhi and his followers were posing no true threat, nor causing real harm or damage to anyone. Gandhi knew that the only way to gain the attention of the entire world, to have everyone fighting with India and against the British, he must impose a nonviolent revolution (Document