Unit 2
To what extent should
nationalist interest be
pursued?
Chapter 6 – Nationalism and
Ultranationalism
What words would you
use to describe the
figure of Stalin in the
image?
What message does the
image send about life in
the Soviet Union?
What difficulties might a
dictator experience
when trying to control a
huge country with so
many ethnic and
cultural nations?
The former Soviet Union – which included the modern day
countries of Russia, Ukraine, Tajikistan, Kazakhstan, Armenia,
and Azerbaijan, along with several others.
The reality of the USSR was Stalin was a dictator, who is
responsible for the deaths of up to 60 million people, including
women and children as a result of state-created famines, forced
labour camps, and deportation.
What is Ultranationalism?
An extreme form of nationalism, an exaggerated sense of
national interest.
Ultranationalism occurs when people of a nation put the
interests of their nation above everything else, often at the
expense of other people and nations.
Leads to a belief that the people of a particular nation are
inherently ‘better’ than the people of other nations.

Can lead to racism and ‘ethnocentrism’
Ultranationalists often promote their own national interests,
whether they are economic, social, or cultural, while ignoring
the national interests of others.
From Nationalism to Ultranationalism
Many people agree that ultranationalism includes elements of
racism and fanaticism
It can lead to conflict
However the ‘line in the sand’ between nationalism and
ultranationalism is hard to determine, not everyone shares the
same ideas concerning the two
For example: Building a strong military may be viewed as
nationalistic in your own country, but ultranationalistic in
another, especially if it threatens your national security.
(Cuba/Russia/USA)
Kosovo
In February 2008, Kosovo declared its independence from
Serbia. This forced long standing tensions to surface between
the people who lived there.
Traditionally Kosovo has endured religious intolerance and
persecution. 80% of Kosovars are Muslim, 10% are Orthodox
Christians.
90% of the population are ethnic Albanians, 10% are ethnic
Serbian. National Identity is very closely tied to Religious
identity.
During the 1990’s conflict between the two groups was so
severe, the United Nations was called in to run the territory of
Kosovo. Serbians living in the area had to live in UN protected
areas.
Kosovo
UN peacekeepers as well as NATO troops patrolled the border
between Kosovo and Serbia
The declaration of independence by Kosovo has led many
Serbians to the brink of Ultranationalism since they fear not only
the loss of territory, but the loss of National Identity associated
with sites linked with Serbian culture and traditions since the
14th century.
Many Serbians state “Kosovo is ours” and “Kosovo is Serbia”,
this often leads to violence.
Russia
Up to 1919, Russia was ruled by an Absolute Monarch. The
Russian Revolution of 1917 was an attempt to force change
upon Russia to improve the living conditions of the Russian
people.
The revolution ended with the assassination of the Royal family,
and millions of people suffering the effects of hunger and
hardships due to the First World War.
In 1922, the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics was formed and
in 1928 Joseph Stalin emerged as the leader of the nation.
He alone would decide what was in the national interest of the
USSR.
Russia and the Ukraine
The Ukraine made up one of the largest ethnic groups in Russia
When Stalin implemented the Collective Farms, many people in
the Ukraine refused to comply, and as a result, Stalin
confiscated all of their crops using force and intimidation.
Up to 10 million people died as a result of starvation in the
1930’s.
Stalin also outlaws the Ukrainian language and customs in
public
The Ukrainians were the largest ethnic group of political
prisoners in the slave labour camps
Russia
Stalin’s first act was to confiscate all farmers’ land and order
them to work the new collective state farms. Approximately 5
million people rejected the new work order and were sent to
prison camps in Siberia or Central Asia.
Stalin wanted Soviet Nationalism to replace any of the 100
distinct national loyalties in Russia. Any group that objected
was treated as a criminal nation and sent to slave labour camps
in Siberia.
Stalin cleared any of the potential “enemies to Communism”
from political office. Millions were sent to prison camps, among
them… an 85 year old woman who made the sign of the cross,
a writer that insulted Stalin in a private letter, and a man who
took down the picture of Stalin to pain a wall.