Chapter 6:
Nationalism and Ultranationalism
Chapter Issue: How can nationalism lead to ultranationalism?
Related Issue #2:
Should nations pursue national interests?
Name: _______________________________
Chapter 6: Nationalism and Ultranationalism
Related Issue #2: Should nations pursue national interests?
Chapter Issue: How can nationalism lead to ultranationalism?
Examine the photos on page 130 and read the excerpt on page 131.
We will discuss the questions on page 131 together as a class.
What is ULTRANATIONALISM? (PAGES 132-135)
Even when people do not agree on what NATIONALISM is, some say that it is the most
powerful political force in the world. Some people also believe that ultranationalism - an
extreme form of nationalism - is one of the most destructive forces in the world.
ULTRANATIONALISM: Write out the 5 points from page 132 below.
Ultranationalists have a strong sense of their own national identity but little respect for the
national identity of others. They may believe that their own nation-state can do NO wrong,
even when it denies the human rights of some people. Some historians believe, for example,
that the treaties that gave Britain and France control over the Middle East following World
War I are examples of ultranationalism. Those treaties made sure that the peoples of the
Middle East did not enjoy the same rights as citizens of Britain and France.
Ultranationalists often separate people into “us” and “them”. In Russia, for example, people
celebrate “Defenders of the Motherland Day.” Look at Figure 6-2 and we will discuss as a class
what is the underlying message of this placard? The women in the photo obviously took this
opportunity to express her belief that immigrants and refugees should not enjoy the same
rights as ethnic Russians. What do you think of her protest?
Ultranationalist often promote their own national interests - while ignoring or trampling on
the national interests of other people within their own country and in other countries. This
exaggerated sense of national interest, or ultranationalism, can even inspire them to invade and
take over other countries.
From Nationalism to Ultranationalism (page 132)
Many people agree that ultranationalism includes elements of racism and fanaticism and that it
can lead to conflict. But people do not always draw the line between nationalism and
ultranationalism in the same place.
Nationalism
Ultranationalism
Whether people call a particular policy nationalistic or ultranationalistic often depends on the
nation they identify with. Some might say that the actions of people in their own group are
patriotic but claim that similar actions by peoples in other groups are ultranationalistic.
Building a strong military, for example, may be viewed as nationalistic in your own country but ultranationalistic in another country, especially if the country threatens your country's
national security.
The women in Figure 6-2 carrying the sign may regard her view as right, just, and nationalistic
in the best sense of the word. But to someone else, it may seem ultranationalistic - and even
racist - because its purpose is to deny the rights to people who are different from her.
Next:
With a partner, please write out 5 characteristics of nationalism below:
With a partner, please write out 5 characteristics of ultranationalism below:
What are the similarities between nationalism and ultranationalism? Name 2.
What are the differences between nationalism and ultranationalism? Name 2.
Next…… complete the chart on the next page of this booklet by
referring to pages 133 and 134 of your textbook. Summarize the key
points of ULTRANATIONALISM for Serbia and Kosovo, and then
for Russia or the Soviet Union.
Ultranationalism in Kosovo and in Russia
Ultranationalism in Serbia
and Kosovo
Ultranationalism in Russia
Propaganda and Ultranationalism (Page 135)
Propaganda refers to information and ideas that are spread to achieve a specific goal. The
information and ideas are often misleading and may be dishonest. Ultranationalist often use
propaganda to manipulate strong human emotions - especially fear and insecurity - and
persuade people to behave in certain ways.
Please write down the 3 other points of propaganda below from the right margin on page 135:
* spreading carefully selected information, rumours, and ideas
Next, read the 4 tactics of propaganda on page 135. Please rank these four propanda tactics on
a scale of 1 to 5 (1 = not very effective, 5 = very effective). Please rank the tactics based on the
harm they do, for example, to people's sense of security and well-being.
Tactic #1 Tactic #2 Tactic #3 Tactic #4 -
1
1
1
1
2
2
2
2
3
3
3
3
4
4
4
4
5
5
5
5
*Look at Figure 6-7 on page 135 and examine this method of propaganda. Is the Nazi tactic of
using propaganda on children acceptable? Why or why not? How is this different?
Discussion only.
*Look at Figure 6-8 on page 135. This photo may be disturbing to some. What can be
interpreted as disturbing about the photo?
Stalin's Soviet communist government and Hitler's Nazi fascist government used propaganda to
benefit their leadership over the people in the 1930’s and 1940’s. Joseph Goebbels, Adolph
Hitler’s minister for public enlightenment and propaganda, built a huge propaganda
organization to control all forms of the media. Goebbels used this propaganda machine to feed
Germans‘ fears and insecurities and to deceive the German people into believing that they were
SUPERIOR and Jews were EVIL.
Chapter 6: Nationalism and Ultranationalism
Related Issue #2: Should nations pursue national interests?
Chapter Issue: How can nationalism lead to ultranationalism?
How does ULTRANATIONALISM develop? (pages 136-140)
Various factors and events can combine to transform nationalism into ultranationalism. An
economic crisis, for example, can cause people to focus on their own needs and national
interests. Sometimes a leader appears who can inspire people to follow and who is powerful
enough to take control of an entire country. Leaders like this often use national symbols and
myths to convince people that they are superior to the people of other nations.
***Factors that contribute to the development of ultranationalism:***
*a social or economic crisis*
*a charismatic, powerful leader*
*national symbols and myths that promote feelings of superiority*
Countries in Crisis
Please look at Figure 6-9 in the left margin on page 136.
On October 29, 1929, the price of stocks on the New York Stock Exchange dropped. The result
of this stock market crash had dramatic effects on the American economy and on the rest of
the world.
“Countries in Crisis” Questions:
1. As a result of the Stock Market crash on October 29, 1929, what could governments NO
LONGER do because people no longer had what?
2. What was the result of this for people?
3. What was the major factor that lead to the Great Depression of the 1930’s?
4. What spread as a result of this global economic crisis?
5. What did people suffer and lose as a result?
Germany after World War I
Please look at Figure 6-10 in the left margin on page 136 about German inflation and the price of bread.
We will examine the development of ultranationalism in Germany first.
1. What did Germany suffer through during the 1920’s?
2. What is inflation?
3. What happened to Germany money?
4. By 1929, what was happening in Germany?
5. What did many countries do concerning Germany once the Great Depression started?
6. What was the result of these actions for the people of Germany?
7. What was Germany still trying to do from 1919? Name 2 things.
8. Who was Germany deeply in debt to?
9. Who did Germans start to look to to help solve their economic problems?
10. What did the NAZI party stand for?
11. When was Hitler ELECTED to lead Germany?
Charismatic Leaders
During the 1920’s and 1930’s, ultranationalist dictators emerged in the Soviet Union
(Stalin), Italy (Mussolini), Germany (Hitler), Spain (Franco) and Japan (Hirohito). These
leaders were CHARISMATIC. They inspired enthusiasm and devotion in their followers
- and FEAR in people who questioned their leadership or policies. They used deadly
force to put down opposition.
“Charismatic Leaders” Questions:
1. What did Hitler promise he would do in Germany?
2. What was Hitler skilled at when it concerned an audience?
3. What 3 things did promise to FIX Germany?
4. What did Nazi propaganda experts do?
5. What else did Nazi’s do carefully?
6. What would Nazi members organize and how many people would attend?
7. What would crowds chant at these meetings?
Instilling Ultranationalistic Values
The dictatorhips in the Soviet Union, Germany, Italy, and Japan promoted extreme
nationalist values. Domestic and foreign policies promoted these values, and strong
military and police forces were built to protect them. Education was used to instil these
values in children. Culture and art were also used to serve the ultranationalists’ goals
and DROWN OUT opposing voices.
“Ultranaionalist Values in Germany” Questions
1. What did Germany ultranationalist propaganda focus on in the 1930’s?
2. Whose operas were used?
3. What did these operas glorify?
4. What was condemned at this same time?
5. What did the Nazi’s call their master empire they were building and how long
would it last?
6. What needed to be done for this to happen?
7. What was introduced by the Nazi’s?
8. Who was labelled “inferior”?
9. What was forbidden?
10. How long were German children taught Nazi values?
11. Why do you think any ideas that challenged Nazi values were forbidden?
!
(not in textbook - need to use your brain here!!!)
12. How were German history books rewritten?
13. What happened in the summer of 1933?
14. What was this action taken by Nazi German students a part of?
“Anti-Jewish Laws” Questions
1. What did Hitler’s government do concerning Jews?
2. List the items that Jews and Jewish children were no longer allowed to do in
Germany?
3. What is Kristallnacht and what date did this event in Germany occur?
4. List what and who was destroyed hurt on these nights in Germany and Austria?
Germany: Factors that Contribute to the
Development of Ultranationalism
Examples
Examples
•extreme inflation in Germany
•German money became worthless
•Great Depression began 1929
•German workers faced homelessness
and starvation
•German gov’t trying to pay off
reparation payments
•Germany deeply in debt to USA
•Germans looked for a strong leader to fix the
country
• Hitler began to gain support, told the
Germans who was to blame for their problems
and how they could fix them
• Hitler appealed to the rich because Hitler
would keep them rich if they followed Nazi
rules
• Hitler appealed to the working class because
he would get them their jobs back
• Hitler elected in 1933
A social or
economic crisis
Charismatic,
powerful leaders
Factors
That Can
Contribute to
Ultranationalism
National symbols and
myths that promote
feelings of superiority
Examples
*Nazi propaganda experts used radio, movies, public address systems and giant posters to keep
Hitler’s image and message before the public
*Nazis issued carefully planned news releases and photographs to the media
*Nazi party members organized mass meetings that attracted audiences over 100,000
*Culture and art were used to serve the ultranationalist’s goals and drown out opposing voices
*glorified the old German operas of Wagner that represented a glorified time of the past
*Nazis introduced racist policies to eliminate anyone that was deemed inferior, including Jews,
Roma, homosexuals, people with disabilities
*anyone who challenged Nazi rule was eliminated
*marriage and eventually friendship between Jews and non-Jews was forbidden
*children and university students were taught Nazi values and any teachers that opposed these Nazi
values were eliminated
*schools burned books that were against an un-German spirit
*German history was re-written to glorify the past and to justify invading territory that belonged to
other countries
Japan after World War I
Please look at Figure 6-11in the right margin on page 137 about Japan’s emperor, Hirohito.
We will examine the development of ultranationalism in Japan now.
During World War I, Japan had supported the Allies. After the war, Japanese agriculutural
and industrial exports to Europe and the United States increased. But, when the Great
Depression started, these trading partners tried to support their own industries by limiting
imports - and people back in Japan lost their jobs.
Questions:
1. What were 50% of Japnese farmers involved in?
2. What happened in 1932 in Japan?
3. Who did Japanese ultranationalists blame for the crisis?
4. What did Japanese ultranationalists get even angrier about next?
5. Who did Japan invade in 1931?
6. Why did Japan invade this territory in 1931?
7. Where is this territory located?
8. What did Japan look like by 1937 and who were they at war with?
9. What did military leaders bring back to Japan?
10. What was created around emperor Hirohito?
“Hirohito and Tojo” Questions:
1. What did Japanese ultranationalists work to do in the years before World War II?
2. What responsiblitity did the commander’s of Japan’s armed forces have?
3. What is an example of Japanese foreign policy under the leadership of the military?
4. What two things did the Japanese leaders want?
5. How did they justify their territorial expansion to their people?
6. Who became prime minister in 1941 in Japan and what did he do?
7. How would you describe this General and what did he promise the Japanese people?
“Ultranationalist values in Japan” Questions
1. What had Japanese nationalism included for centuries before World War II?
2. What beliefs were fostered by the Japanese leaders leading up to World War II?
3. What was the Japanese government’s “foreign policy” doing while ultranationalist were
taking over the “domestic” affairs of Japan?
4. What was Japan’s education system based on in the 1930’s?
5. What 3 things were students in Japan taught in the 1930’s?
6. Whose ideas were scorned by Japan and whose ideas were praised in the 1930’s?
7. What were priorities in Japan?
8. What were young people taught in Japan?
9. What is Japan’s national religion called?
10. What does this religioin teach?
11. Who is honoured in this religion?
12. Who are the Kami?
13. What did Kamikaze pilots begin to do during World War II when Japan started to lose the
war?
14. Why is the Shinto Yasukuni Shrine in Tokyo, Japan controversial?
15. What do some Japanese people want today concerning the shrine?
Japan: Factors that Contribute to the
Development of Ultranationalism
Examples
Examples
• Many Japanese lost their jobs during Great
Depression because USA/Europe reduced
Japanese exports
•Japanese produced silk but many people
around the world could not afford luxury item –
many lost their jobs in Japan - blamed the
West
• rice crops failed in 1932 – caused famine in
Japan
• Japanese ultranationalists blamed their
politicians for the famine crisis-need to turn
to new leadership in Japan
• Japanese got mad at USA, Canada,
Australia for not accepting Japanese
migrants
• Japan invaded Manchuria in 1931
•By 1937, military controlled Japanese gov’t
and at war with China
•Military leaders brought back traditional
warrior values such as obedience to the
emperor and state
*a cult-like atmosphere was created around
emperor Hirohito
A social or
economic crisis
Charismatic,
powerful leaders
Factors
That Can Contribute
to Ultranationalism
National symbols and
myths that promote
feelings of superiority
Examples
* ultranationalists worked to rid Japan of democracy and make it a one party state ruled by military
* commander’s of Japan’s armed forces decided was in the country’s national interest
* Japan invaded China for raw materials to continue to increase industrialization in Japan-justified
their expansion into China because they saw USA and European colonies doing same thing since the
early 1800’s
* General Tojo Hideki became prime minister in 1941 and transformed Japan into a military
dictatorship; Tojo was an aggressive ultranationalist who promised Japan would use its military to
dominate Asia
* ultranationalists in Japan were preparing the nation for war and fostering racist beliefs in Japan by
convincing the Japanese people that they were superior to other people and had a mission to expand
Chapter 6: Nationalism and Ultranationalism
Related Issue #2: Should nations pursue national interests?
Chapter Issue: How can nationalism lead to ultranationalism?
How have people responded to ULTRANATIONALISM? (pages 141-149)
Ultranationalism infects all aspects of a country's life - social, economic, cultural, and political.
Ultranationalists often believe that they have the right to invade other countries and take over
territory by force. When this has happened, national leaders around the world have found it
difficult to find peaceful ways to respond.
Please read Martin Neimoeller's words in Voices in the right hand margin on page 141.
Discuss the following questions:
ο
What is he saying about why some people failed to take action?
ο
Why might people have failed to speak up?
ο
In a similar situation, what might make you speak up?
ο
How might people who failed to take action feel when they found about the Holocaust?
The failure to act is one response to ultranationalism.
Here is a List of the Items We Will Cover in This Next Section:
1. Appeasement
i) Opposition to Appeasement
ii) Failure of the League of Nations
iii) Ethiopia
2. War as a Response to Ultranationalism
i) Canada declares war
ii) Propaganda and Censorship in Canada
iii) Conscription in Canada
3. Internment Camps in Canada
i) Ukrainian Canadians in World War I
ii) Japanese Canadians in World War II
4. Peacekeeping as a Response to Ultranationalism
i) Suez Canal Crisis
Appeasement as a Response to Ultranationalism (page 141)
Questions:
1.
Why did people wish to avoid war in the years before World War II? (1 mark)
2.
Who began to take over other countries and territory in Europe? (1 mark)
3.
What is appeasement? (1 mark)
4.
When did Germany begin expanding its European territory? (1 mark)
5.
In 1938, who was British prime minister? (1 mark)
6.
In 1938, who was French prime minister? (1 mark)
7.
In 1938, who was Italian dictator? (1 mark)
8.
What was Germany's land claim and where is it located? (1 mark)
9.
Why was their conflict over this region? (1 mark)
10.
What did Hitler promise at this meeting? (1 mark)
11.
What did the British, French, and Italians promise in return? (1 mark)
12.
What did Chamberlain say to the British people to make them feel more secure? (1 mark)
Opposition to Appeasement (page 141)
1.
Who did not agree with the philosophy in Britain? (1 mark)
2.
Who was Winston Churchill? (1 mark)
3.
Who was prime minister of Britain during World War II? (1 mark)
4.
What was Churchill's comment about an appeaser? (1 mark)
5.
What did Churchill say about the choice made by Chamberlain, Deladier, and Mussolini?
(1 mark)
6.
What happened in 1939? (1 mark)
7.
Look at the map on page 141 Figure 6-17 and identify the territories that Germany took
over between 1935 and 1938. (2 marks)
8.
In 1938, when Germany took over the Sudetenland, would you have agreed with Neville
Chamberlain's or Winston Churchill's response? Explain why. (2 marks)
Failure of the League of Nations (page 142)
By 1934, 58 countries, including Canada, Britain, and France, were members of the League of
Nations, which had been created after World War I. League members agreed to help one
another and to take action to maintain peace.
If one country invaded another country, League members could: (3 marks)
*
*
*
But member countries were not required to provide troops to stop invasions. When Japan
invaded Manchuria in 1931, for example, China appealed to the League for help. The League
condemned the invasion. Japan responded by resigning its membership in 1933. After that,
League members COULD NOT agree on what action to take - and ended up doing nothing.
Ethiopia
1.
What did Italy suffer following World War I? (1 mark)
2.
Who was appointed prime minister of Italy in 1922? (1 mark)
3.
What did he promise to do? (1 mark)
4.
Who was Mussolini and what did he do “politically-speaking” to Italy? (1 mark)
5.
What was Mussolini's pledge? (1 mark)
6.
What did his policies include? (1 mark)
7.
How was he similar to Hitler? (1 mark)
8.
Why did Italy expect to be rewarded following World War I? (1 mark)
9.
Why were ultranationalists angry in Italy after World War I? (1 mark)
10.
What did Mussolini order in 1935? (1 mark)
11.
What was the irony of Mussolini's order? (1 mark)
12.
Who is Haile Selassie? (1 mark)
13.
What did Selassie do in June 1936? (1 mark)
14.
What did Selassie say in his speech to the League of Nations in 1936? (1 mar
More to the story:
On August 23, 1939, Germany and the Soviet Union signed the Nazi-Soviet Non-aggression Pact.
This treaty assured Hitler that his armies would not have to fight on two fronts when Germany began
taking over Europe. The world was shocked at a pact between fascist and communist governments - such
a development seemed unbelievable. Seven days later, Germany invaded Poland.
War as a Response to Ultranationalism (pages 143-145)
On September 1, 1939, Hitler's armies invaded Poland. Thousands of tanks and 1.5 million
soldiers attacked by land while German airplanes bombed Polish cities. German blitzkrieg had
begun. The Polish army was no match for highly trained and well-equipped German forces.
Poland surrendered to the invaders within four weeks.
1. What major city in Poland was the target of the German blitzkrieg? (1 mark)
2. What structures were the Germans targeting? (1 mark)
3. What did people do, like 15 year-old Leah Hammerstein Silverstein, do to resist the
Germans after their terrifying invasion of Poland? (1 mark)
4. What did Britain and France finally realize after the invasion of Poland? (1 mark)
5. What happened on September 3, 1939? What was the result? (1 mark)
6. Examine Figure 6-20 on page 143. How do these two photos contrast one another?
(3 marks)
Canada Declares War (page 143)
Canada entered World War II far different from how they entered World War I. By 1939,
Canada’s foreign policy was no longer tied to that of Great Britain’s, like it had been in 1914.
This meant Canada did not declare war on Germany as soon as Britain did. The Canadian
government debated the merits of entering the war, and one week later after the formal
declaration of war by Great Britain, Canada declared war on Germany - September 10th, 1939.
Prime Minister William Lyon Mackenzie King used an emotional and difficult speach on the
radio to inform all Canadians at the time the decision of the Canadian government and the
reasons as to why that decision had been made. His speach is on the bottom of page 143.
Propaganda and Censorship in Canada (page 144)
Canada entered World War II and Canada's national interest now focused on the war effort.
Canadians were encouraged to support the war effort by joining the armed forces, working in
wartime industries, or volunteering to help in other ways. The Canadian government, however,
began to adopt features used in dictatorships. Propaganda campaigns were launched to recruit
soldiers and persuade Canadians to buy war bonds. No employer was allowed to hire anyone
who did not have a permit from an employment office, and employment could be restricted to
specific locations or industries considered essential to the war effort.
Official censorship was introduced to ensure that no essential information fell into the hands of
the enemy. Government censors approved every speach broadcast on the CBC and examined all
stories published in all newspapers and magazines. Military censors read all letters from
members of the armed forces as well as letters to soldiers in enemy prisoner of war camps.
Anything that revealed to much was blacked out.
Examine the Wartime Propaganda posters at the bottom pages 144 and 145.
After you have read page 144, answer the following question:
By introducing propaganda and official censorship, tactics that are also used in dictatorships,
was the Canadian government starting down the path to ultranationalism?
What do you think? Yes or no!
Discussion!!!
Conscription in Canada (page 145)
To the leaders of Germany, Italy, Japan, and the Soviet Union, conscription - compulsory
military service - was in the national interest. A strong military was essential to secure their own
borders and to invade other countries. In dictatorships, it is not hard to force people to become
soldiers.
When World War II started, the Canadian Armed Forces were made up entirely of volunteers.
Soon after the war began, Prime Minister William Lyon Mackenzie King introduced a limited
form of conscription. But he promised that conscripts would be asked only to defend Canada.
They would not be sent overseas.
King did not want to repeat the turmoil - including protests and riots - that had occurred when
conscription was introduced during World War I. In 1917, the government had imposed
conscription after the Allies had suffered severe losses.
The issue divided Canada during World War I and was set again to divide Canada during World
War II. Many Canadians of British descent believed that conscription was in the national
interest, but others disagreed. Some worried about what would happen to their families and
farms. Many Francophones did not believe that they should be forced to fight for the British
Empire. Still, Francophones had volunteered at about the same rate as Anglophones.
As casualties mounted during World War II, King decided to hold a special vote to ask
Canadians' permission to break his promise not to send conscripts overseas.
See the results of this vote in Figure 6-25 on page 145.
Please copy the 4 points for conscription from page 145 below: (2 marks)
Internment Camps in Canada (pages 146-149)
During World War I and World War II, many Canadians became caught up in the racism and
extreme nationalism of the time. Thousands of people of German, Ukrainian, and Japanese
origin were interned - sent to prison camps - as enemy aliens.
“Internment Camps in Canada” Questions
1. Where did most Ukrainian Canadians settle by 1914?
2.
Which passport did most of these new Canadians hold?
3.
What did many people in Canada fear about these newcomers in 1914?
4.
What were some Ukrainians forced to do in 1914?
5.
What were some Ukrainians forced to carry in 1914?
6.
Who was depicted as the enemy in Canada during World War II?
7.
What were many Japanese Canadians not allowed to do in British Columbia before the
outbreak of World War II?
8.
What happened to many Japanese Canadians in 1942?
9.
What were internment camps?
10. What did the Canadian government do with Japanese Canadians’ possessions?
“Peacekeeping” as a Response to Ultranationalism (page 148)
Questions:
1.
Why was the United Nations formed?
2.
What did UN missions involve at first?
3.
What happened in 1956?
4.
What does the Suez Canal link and when was it built?
5.
What benefit did the Suez Canal have for the people of the world?
6.
What continent did ships no longer need to travel around?
7.
What did ships pay to get through the canal and where did the profits go?
8.
Who owned the Suez Canal in 1956?
9.
Why did the Egyptian government take control of the canal in 1956?
10. Looking at the map in Figure 6-28, do you think the Egyptian government might have
felt entitled to take over the Suez Canal?
11. Do you believe Egypt's actions in 1956 were nationalistic or ultranationalistic?
Explain your answer.
12.
Who invaded the Suez Canal zone in response to Egyptian actions?
13. Which country supported Egypt and what did they threaten to do?
14.
What was the result of this in regards to the rest of the world?
15.
What was Lester B. Pearson's role at the time in Canadian politics in 1956?
16.
What did Pearson propose to help diffuse the situation in Egypt?
17.
How did the UN respond to Pearson's suggestion?
18.
What was the result?
19.
What did this event start?
20. What does the Canadian governments believe and how does it relate to our foreign
policy?
21. By 2007, how many peacekeeping missions had Canada taken part in?