What is Nationalism

Nationalism is when a politically separated land mass has people who has pride in each other and is united instead of governed by an almighty ruler. Our studies throughout the year showed that nationalism has many similarities and differences compared to Imperialism. A nation or country that has nationalism is more of a democracy and united country rather than an empire. Two countries that are examples of a nationalized country compared to a country that was imperialized is France and the Ottoman Empire. The French had more nationalism than the Ottomans because they governed themselves after the French Revolution occurred and the Ottomans were ruled by a sultan, a single person in control of the entire empire. Some people say that nationalism is a tool for conflict and destruction. Some people say that nationalism is a force for positive change. It mostly depends on the person's examples of countries that has experienced "nationalism". People who look at nationalism as a tool for destruction may relate it to imperialism and how "nationalism" is just a lighter term for imperialism. When the people of a country want to make their nation stronger than all the others, they want to conquer more land and govern over a larger amount of people. This makes their nation stronger, but at the same time the leaders of the country are ruling people who disagree with their values and ways of ruling. With people in a nation who have rebellious feelings, there are chances of rebellion that will ruin the country from the inside out. An example of nationalism being a force for positive change is when the French had their Revolution and turned France into more of a democracy other than a monarchy. Since France was being ruled by unfair monarchs, the people of France couldn't take being unfairly treated, so they rebelled and were eventually able to take over the government. This resulted in a democracy and a better life for the people of France in the future. In closing, nationalism aids to unite the people of a country and makes the nation a better place to live for its people.