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Chapter 2 notes
February 11, 2014
Understanding Nationalism
Chapter 2: Shaping Nationalism
Chapter issue: how do external and internal factors shape nationalism?
This chapter examines factors that shape nationalism by looking at how people have responded to these factors.
In this chapter you will learn about the following concepts:
• nationalism is part of identity and causes a collective consciousness shared by many people
• many factors can influence nationalism and people respond to them in different ways
• sometimes tensions exist between governments and cultural groups within Canada
Topics covered in this chapter include:
• Some factors that shape nationalism and how people have responded
At the end of this chapter, you will be able to do the following:
• demonstrate your understanding of factors that helped shape French nationalism (internal and external)
• create a chart or web showing what the historical, social, political, geographic and economic factors were that influenced France during the Revolution
Paragraph: How do external and internal factors shape nationalism?
Understanding Nationalism
Chapter 2: Shaping Nationalism
Chapter issue: how do external and internal factors shape nationalism?
Music Video
French Revolution Crash Course
Based on these videos, what is your current understanding about the French Revolution? What happened and why?
What are some factors that shape nationalism? (page 42­50)
A revolution is a great change, and in the case of the French Revolution, the change was the form of government. They went from having a monarchy, to eventually having a republic.
What did this mean for the people of France?
They no longer had a king, and could vote and make decisions for themselves.
Revolutions change both individual and national identities and are often shaped by external factors (outside events and ideas). There are 5 types of external factors and these factors are influenced by each other.
Chapter 2 notes
External & Internal Factors that influenced the French Revolution
Historical Factor: Storming of the Bastille ­ July 14, 1789
• An angry mob of 600 stormed the Bastille Prison, released prisoners, and stole weapons. This is often remembered as the beginning of the French Revolution. • This event became part of the French collective consciousness and a defining moment in their history. Why do you suppose that is?
• What makes this event significant to people all around the world?
It reminds people everywhere that ordinary people can start a chain of events that can lead to great change.
Social Factor: Structure of society in France before the Revolution
• The French social structure was such that your role in society was determined before you were born (if your parents were peasants, you would be too).
• The King made and enforced the laws, but knew nothing of how the people lived
• Aristocrats (clergy/nobility/highest classes) didn't pay taxes, but charged commoners rent and other fees, thereby increasing their own wealth
• What were the three social factors that pushed France toward revolution?
1. Seeing change around the world in Britain and the USA
2. The desire for freedom of speech
3. Growing bourgeoisie (middle class) were becoming wealthy and educated
What is your understanding of how these external social factors might have caused the French Revolution?
Economic Factor: Palace at Versailles
• due to the creation of the new palace in Versailles, Louis XVI almost bankrupt France. To solve his problem, Louis decided to raise taxes for everyone ­ including the aristocrats.
• Aristocrats didn't like the idea, so they called a meeting of the Estates General (which hadn't met in over 170 years) to take a vote
• Estates General is made up of 3 groups: First Estate (clergy), Second Estate (aristocrats), and Third Estate (commoners), and each group got only one vote, so the Third Estate was usually outvoted by the First and Second Estates.
• The Third Estate wanted one vote for each representative instead of each Estate, and when they tried to meet, they were locked out and had to meet instead at an indoor tennis court. Here they swore the "Tennis Court Oath," declaring themselves the National Assembly and promising not to quit until they had a constitution that gave every man equal rights. They felt they were the only group who truly represented the people.
How would you feel as one of the Third Estate? Would you have taken the same actions?
February 11, 2014
Chapter 2 notes
Geographic Factor: Weather Conditions
• bad weather caused poor crop yield
• winter snow blocked roads and prevented trade
• food shortages caused prices to go up and many peasants would spend 90% of their income on bread (their main source of food) ­ why did this cause riots?
People thought it was the responsibility of their government to keep food affordable. They also heard that the royal family may be hoarding grain in the palace.
• The desperate peasants marched on the palace demanding help from the King and that he and his family go back to Paris with them to make sure he kept his promise of help.
How was bread a cause of the French Revolution?
Put yourself in the shoes of these peasants: what would you have done the same? Different? Political Factors: Desire for Equal Rights, Outside Invasion, Reign of Terror
• Third Estate felt that they had no political power as they were always outvoted by the First and Second Estates
• By summer 1789, the National Assembly created the "Declaration of the Rights of Man and of the Citizen" to take away traditional rights of the king and aristocracy, and make sure the government gave all people equal rights
• This caused fear in other monarchs that similar ideas would arise in their people, so they sent armies to attack France to squash the rebellion and re­
instate Louis XVI to power. They were defeated by the revolutionary army.
• To prevent this from happening again, the revolutionaries executed Louis XVI and anyone who was suspected of being against the revolution. This was known as the Reign of Terror, and it lasted 11 months, during which 17,000 people were executed by guillotine.
How might the thwarted attacks on France have affected French nationalism?
How would you feel as a person living in France during the Reign of Terror if you supported the Revolution? What about if you didn't support the Revolution?
February 11, 2014
Chapter 2 notes
How have people responded to some factors that shape nationalism? (page 51 & 54)
Revolutionary ideals changed the collective consciousness of the people of France, not only because of their memories of the events that took place, but also their shared pride in those events. Some revolutionary events and ideals that people took pride in, even if they were not involved in them, are:
• capture of the Bastille
• slogan: Liberte, egalite, fraternite! (freedom, equality, brotherhood)
• marching song: La Marseillaise written during foreign invasions (which became their anthem later)
• clothing: red, white, and blue badges worn by revolutionaries influenced colors chosen for the French Flag
Other responses have come later, as people discover that the old stories do not match the current realities:
• some people don't think that the ideas of liberte, egalite, and fraternite are still symbols of France because immigrants are discriminated against How might these societal changes affect nationalism in France?
How have people in Canada responded to some factors that shape nationalism? (page 55­59)
Canadian Myths: Canadian Pacific Railway (CPR)
• despite the challenges faced during construction (swamps, mountain ranges, loss of workers, etc...), the railway was completed according to John A. Macdonald's dream, and it united Canada from coast to coast.
• What effect did the construction of the Canadian Pacific Railway have on the national identity of Canadians?
Canadians began to feel that they could take on any problem and be successful.
Challenges to Canadian Myths: New Worldviews • Initially, Canada was primarily made up of British people and as a result, the traditions, flag, education, etc... were all British
• As people of non­British descent immigrated to Canada, they began to challenge the idea that Canada was British as well as the myths that the British "discovered Canada's west" and carved the railway out of wilderness.
February 11, 2014
Chapter 2 notes
How have people in Canada responded to some factors that shape nationalism? (page 55­59)
First Nations & Metis Nationalism
• In 1968, Prime Minister Trudeau and Minister of Indian Affairs Chretien proposed an end to all treaty rights in order for everyone in Canada to have the same rights and status (equality).
• First Nations groups felt it was not fair and would take away their national identities. • Harold Cardinal wrote a book, The Unjust Society, in response to the government. He wanted more control for Aboriginal peoples over their own lives, education, and laws. It caused a lot of debate over this issue and changed ideas.
• Aboriginal people began to promote their national identities as First Nations, Metis, and Inuit instead of putting up with being forced into mainstream society and living in poverty.
• When Trudeau revised the Canadian Constitution in 1982, it recognized Aboriginal and Treaty rights, according to Cardinal's recommendations. Inuit Nationalism
• They did not sign treaties, but due to their isolation, were still able to live in traditional ways well into the 20th century.
• As animal populations declined, the government forced them into settlements, which ignored their traditional way of life and caused a lot of social problems.
• In 1999, after a lot of effort to achieve self­government, the Nunavut land claim was finally settled and the territory of Nunavut was created.
How did each of these three events affect their sense of nationalism?
Quebecois Nationalism
• 1759 ­ Battle of the Plains of Abraham: up until this time, Canada was primarily French. But when the British won the battle, the primary culture became British. How did this event affect Quebecois nationalism?
Quebecois nationalism is stronger now than before because they have had to fight for their rights.
February 11, 2014
Chapter 2 notes
February 11, 2014
Chapter 2 Assignment
1. Explain the idea of collective consciousness and give an example from your own life of a collective consciousness you share, as well as a historical example from the text.
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2. What is the difference between an external factor and an internal factor? give an example of each from the French Revolution.
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3. Create a chart or web showing what the historical, social, political, geographic and economic factors were that influenced France during the Revolution.
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4. Which two factors do you think had the greatest influence on causing the French Revolution? Identify the factors and explain your reasons for choosing them. Explain if each factor is in internal or external factor. /6
Chapter 2 Paragraph
On the basis of your current understanding of nationalism and the factors that shape it, write a paragraph response to the chapter issue:
How do external and internal factors shape nationalism?
Be sure to write in paragraph format, and include ideas from this chapter to support your thinking. Your paragraph may include personal experiences as well, but must discuss events from the chapter in relation to your opinion.