Responses to Factors that Shape Nationalism

Story and Nationalism in the United States

• Stories like the storming of the Bastille inform people of their roots, help shape their identity and remind them of what they are capable of achieving.

• The Boston Tea Party of 1773, in which the 13 Colonies overthrow tons of tea into the Boston Harbor is an event that fosters American nationalism.

  • The British responded by shutting down the port of Boston such that no ships could come or go.

  • Inciting incident of the American Revolution.

Canadian Responses to Factors that Shape Nationalism

• Canadians respond to national myths that suggest a national character.

  • Building of the Canadian Pacific Railway, uniting Eastern and Western Canada.

    • Use of Chinese labour to form the railway through the mountains.

    • A heroic achievement that shows how perseverance could triumph over a harsh environment.

• Many Canadian stories were shaped by the British worldview.

  • Canada’s form of democracy was based on the British Parliamentary model. British history was taught in schools.

• Canadian myths have since been challenged by other groups, such as Francophones and Aboriginal peoples.

  • Stories about how Canada’s west was “discovered” have since been challenged. Implies imperialism, how the British were responsible for discovering these aspects of Canada.

First Nations & Metis Nationalism

• Duncan Campbell Scott: headed the department of Indian Affairs.

  • Way to resolve Indians was to assimilate; must be absorbed into Canada.

• Trudeau Sr. and Jean Chretien introduced a White Paper, referred to as an Unjust Society.

  • Refers to English and French as founding peoples of Canada, not giving regard for First Nations peoples.

  • The bill was abandoned, strengthening the resolve of First Nations and Metis peoples and their recognition in the Canadian Constitution.

Inuit Perspectives on Nationalism

• The Inuit did not sign any treaties with the Canadian government for land usage, many continued to follow their way of life into the 20th century.

• First Nations were relocated by the Federal Government in the 1930s to make up for food shortages. Made providing services easier.

  • Ignored the connection to land that Inuit peoples held.

  • Self governance determined the solution.

• Since 1975, land claims were created by Inuit peoples. In 1999, Nunavut, “Our Land” was created as a territory for Canada’s Inuit population, complete with self-governance.

Quebec Nationalism

• Michael Ignatieff: Canada’s national experience has been under conflict as English and French have different shared histories.

• The Quebecois experience difficulty maintaining their way of life: language, culture, identity.

  • In 2006, Harper recognized that the Quebecois have a separate, sovereign society.

• Tension between anglophones and Francophones resulted in sovereignty debate henceforth.