Max Fisher explains the origins of national identity in this excellent five minute clip for the New York Times. He notes that the idea of a national identity is a relatively new idea.
Just before the French Revolution, for example, France was not really a nation. Half the people could not even speak French. Ethnicity did not line up with borders either.
Over time, the idea that language race, and borders should equal a country developed. And then nations began to create myths to suggest that their nation always existed.
Check it out. This short clip might help students understand the importance of nationalism.
No comments:
Post a Comment