Social Studies 20-1: National Interest and Nationalism

Nationalism

A strong sense of pride and loyalty toward one's nation or people.

Nation-state

A sovereign country formed around a shared national identity.

National interest

Goals that a nation pursues to ensure its survival and prosperity.

Foreign policy

A nation's strategies in dealing with other countries.

Ultranationalism

Extreme nationalism that views one nation as superior and justifies actions like aggression or exclusion.

Self-determination

The right of people to form their own government or nation.

Decolonization

The process by which colonies gained independence from imperial powers.

Sovereignty

The authority of a state to govern itself without outside interference.

Internment

The imprisonment or confinement of people, often during wartime, without trial.

Conscription

Mandatory enlistment in the armed forces.

Genocide

The deliberate extermination of a national, ethnic, racial, or religious group.

Economic prosperity

Securing trade routes and industrial growth as part of national interest.

Security and safety

Military alliances (e.g., Triple Entente) and arms buildup as part of national interest.

Beliefs and values

Spreading ideologies like fascism or protecting democracy as part of national interest.

Appeasement

The policy of allowing Hitler to annex Austria and the Sudetenland, prioritizing peace and interests.

Holodomor

Forced famine used by Stalin's USSR to crush Ukrainian nationalism and maintain control.

Québécois Nationalism

Nationalist movements in Quebec fueled by inequalities in conscription and language post-WWII.

Treaty of Versailles

The agreement that imposed harsh reparations on Germany, leading to resentment and ultranationalism.

Intense nationalism

A significant factor in the causes of WWI, especially in the Balkans.

Chain reaction of war declarations

Result of Austria-Hungary's response to Serbian nationalism.

Wartime fear

Led to the unjust internment of Japanese Canadians and Ukrainians during both world wars.

Aggressive expansion

A characteristic of ultranationalism, often justified by beliefs in national superiority.

Collapse of empires

Led to the creation of new nation-states like Hungary and Czechoslovakia post-WWI.

Atlantic Charter (1941)

Agreement supporting the right of people to choose their government, influencing decolonization.

National movements

Pushed for self-determination during WWII, inspired by war rhetoric and disillusionment.

Ultranationalism

It promotes aggressive policies based on superiority and exclusion.

Treaty of Versailles

It fueled resentment in Germany, contributing to the rise of ultranationalism.

National Interest

It shapes foreign policy.

Japanese Imperialism during WWII

It reflected ultranationalist ideology through aggressive expansion and belief in Japanese racial superiority.

Tension between National Self-Determination and Sovereignty

Self-determination can challenge the territorial integrity of nation-states.