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A Double Edge Sword

The Detrimental Consequences of Nationalism

Connor Marshman Thomas JeffersoN High School

Connor Marshman Thomas Jefferson High School Doctor James P. Werbaneth La Roche European History May 11, 2012 A Double Edge Sword: The Detrimental Consequences of Nationalism The Merriam-Webster Dictionary denotes nationalism as loyalty and devotion to a nationa sense of national consciousness exalting one nation above all others and placing primary emphasis on promotion of its cultureas opposed to those of other nations or supranational groups. Extreme national sentiment can subordinate and conflict with other groups and ideologies outside of a nation, and this historical tension has generated much strife and violence throughout history. Although at times a unifying and bolstering force for countries, nationalism has also been a malignant force towards nation opposing concepts and peoples resulting in religious persecution, vicious rivalries, and mass genocide. Particularly in war, many civilians are willing to sacrifice their lives for their homeland, and this devotion comes in direct conflict with religions advocating sole devotion to the divine or encouraging pacifism. Readiness to put ones life on the line for a nation has only been fostered by governments. One American propaganda poster for World War I, featuring a patriotic general, asked, He did his dutyWill you? (American World War I Poster). Since life sacrificing nationalism is often imposed with mandatory wartime drafts, this devotion to the state spawns tremendous conflict for civilians who, because of their religious beliefs, choose not to
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participate in the military. Specifically, Christian Jehovahs Witnesses in the United States were viciously attacked for their national neutrality during World War II. One article details that Witness missionaries were chased and beaten by vigilantes in Texas. Their literature was confiscated and even burnedThe American Civil Liberties Union reported to the Justice Department that nearly 1,500 Witnesses were physically attacked in more than 300 communities nationwide (Mauro). Since Jehovahs Witnesses see acts of nationalism such as saluting the flag and participating in war as subordinating their devotion to Jehovah God, they were met with brutal hostility from a fervently patriotic society in the heat of World War II. Consequently, nationalistic pride in America resulted in a vicious, countrywide persecution of this religious group. During this period of intense nationalism, state encouraged opposition against Jehovahs Witnesses in America worryingly evidenced a disregard toward basic, guaranteed civil liberties in the Bill of Rights. Thus, nationalism unjustly violated human rights for American citizens during the Second World War Besides persecution towards nationally neutral religions, nationalism has also spawned bitter, violent rivalries. Nation centered hostility between nations has led to numerous wars and terroristic attacks. Specifically, national enmity between France and Germany came about after Frances humiliating loss against Germany during the Franco-Prussian War. Once a formidable superpower, Frances military reputation was devastated by the newfound nation of Germany as it not only defeated France in 1871 but also seized the province of Alsace-Lorraine and enacted exorbitant war reparations (Franco-Prussian War). Consequently, after World War I, France had a personal vendetta against a defeated Germany. A member of the victorious Triple Entente, France returned the favor against Germany with retributions including the loss of territory, the war guilt placed solely on Germany, the deliberate effacement of the German military and the
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demands of reparations (Magana). Rather than encouraging a fair punishment, France fueled the flames of hatred among her allies against the German nation. Frances national resentment towards Germany clouded justice and instead encouraged all out revenge. Nevertheless, rivalry between Germany and France would persist as a combustible contributor to World War II. Seeking revenge and exoneration for its heavy handed treatment after World War I, Germany would place its trust into the hands of a brash, war seeking, totalitarian dictatorAdolf Hitler (Magana). Had Germany been more justly treated after the First World War, a second, global massacre may have been avoided. Nevertheless, national rivalries sowed the seeds for the annihilation of millions in World War II both in military combat and in vile labor camps. Just as nationalism can glorify a specific culture and race, so also anything that defies a nations racial mold can be met with fierce opposition and violence. No clearer evidence of racial discrimination under the ruse of nationalism can be seen than Adolf Hitlers blood purges against Jews and other ethnicities outside of the Aryan race. In regards to the national

motivation behind these racial killings, writer and journalist Tony Mauro noted, The ideological underpinnings of the annihilation of the handicapped, Jews and Gypsies as well as the mass killings of Slavic populations in German-occupied eastern Europe were based on widely accepted theories of the inequality of races (Bottger). As the totalitarian leader of Nazi Germany, Hitler established his conception of the ideal German citizen: blonde haired and blue eyed. Consequently, any race or handicap that clouded this pure vision of the German nation was callously eliminated. Because of one mans warped, racist logic in regards to what defined the German nation, the lives of millions were cruelly sacrificed in deplorable death camps. Although many German Jews and Slavs were productive and even patriotic members of society,

anti-Semitic national philosophies in Germany propagated the wasteful destruction of lives on an unprecedented scale. Despite the seeming unity and backing strong nationalism can offer a nation, the extreme nature of this ideology can lead to destructive consequences as evidenced by nationally fostered religious discrimination, malicious rivalries, and racial killings. Indeed, nationalism is a double edge sword that can wound a country as easily as help it. Regardless of its helpful or harmful intent, the sharp blade of nationalism can be a powerful tool and must be wielded by a nation with care and restraint. Unfortunately, as evidenced by mankinds turbulent history, national coexistence is still far from being realized, and consequently the blade of nationalism continues to maim many innocents in the process.

Works Cited American World War I Poster. Digital image. World War I Propaganda Posters. Jiggsy Communications. Web. 2 May 2012. <http://www.ww1propaganda.com/ww1poster/he-did-his-duty-will-you-us-marines-join-active-service-land-and-sea>. Bottger, Joerg. "Origins of the Nazi Genocide." A Teacher's Guide to the Holocaust. University of South Florida. Web. 07 May 2012. <http://fcit.usf.edu/holocaust/resource/REVIEWS/Friedlan.HTM>. "Franco-Prussian War." Franco-Prussian War. Web. 07 May 2012. <http://autocww2.colorado.edu/~toldy2/E64ContentFiles/HistoryOfEurope/Franc o-PrussianWar.htm>. Magana, Carlos. "Signing of the Versailles Treaty." History. Web. 07 May 2012. <http://www.history.ucsb.edu/faculty/marcuse/classes/33d/projects/1920s/Carlos Treaty.htm>. Mauro, Tony. "Thank Jehovah's Witnesses for Speech Freedoms." Adherents. Web. 07 May 2012. <http://www.adherents.com/largecom/jw_freedom.html>.

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