Why Pursue National
Interests?
Related Issue II: To what extent should national interests be pursued?
Chapter Issue: In times of conflict, to what extent are nationalism
and ultranationalism expressions of the pursuit of national interests?
“I dread our own power and our own ambitions; I
dread our being too much dreaded . . . We may say
that we shall not abuse this astonishing and hitherto
unheard-of-power. But every sooner or later, this state
of things must produce a combination against us which
may end in our ruin.”
-- Edmund Burke
Based on this quotation, what cautions
does Burke have about Britain’s pursuit
of national interests? What possible
consequence is he predicting for
Britain?
Ultranationalism vs Nationalism
• Ultranationalism:
• An extreme form of nationalism
• Often involve extreme patriotism
• Causes conflicts and interferes with co-operation between nations
• When the interests of a nation begin to interfere with other nations, these
actions may lead to ultranationalism
Chapter Inquiry Question
• How did nationalism influence the pursuit of Canadian national
interests during the First and Second World Wars?
• How did ultranationalism develop in Germany as an extension or
expression of national interests?
• What role did national interest play in the development of
ultranationalism during the First and Second World Wars?
Nationalism in Canada during WWI and WWII
How did nationalism influence the pursuit of Canadian national interests during
WWI and WWII?
WWI Conscription Crisis – Military Service Act, 1917
WWII Conscription Crisis
• Why was Borden determined to commit Canada to sending a large
number of soldiers to war?
• Why did conscription act as a divisive force rather than a unifying
one in this time of war?
• If you had been eligible for conscription in 1917, how would you
have responded? Should the national interest become the interest
of all citizens during a time of crisis?
• https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VLC_M87SCGU
• https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-cu7Jy2gDBg
Internment during the World Wars:
• Ukrainian Internment: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NAX5NgEe7ro
• VOICES: WWI Internment in Canada (p. 174)
• Japanese Internment: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JdFPX5Oy4A0
• Joy Kogawa’s Obasan
• To what extent was the use of internment by the Canadian government
during WWI and WWII based on similar pursuits of national interest?
• To what extent was internment in both wars a result of nationalism or
ultranationalism?
Development of Ultranationalism in Germany
How did ultranationalism develop in Germany as an extension or expression of
national interests?
How does Ultranationalism Develop?
• A social or economic crisis
• Causes people to focus on their own needs and national interests
• A charismatic, powerful leader
• National symbols and myths that promote feelings of superiority
The Treaty of Versailles, The Great
Depression and onwards
• Countries in Crisis
• In October of 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.
• 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.
The Treaty of Versailles, The Great
Depression and onwards
• Instilling Ultranationlistic Values
• The dictatorships in the Soviet Union, Germany, Italy, and Japan
promoted extreme nationalist values
• Domestic and foreign policies promoted these values
• 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.
The Rise of Adolf Hitler and the Nazi Party
• What role did nationalism play in Hitler’s rise to power? How did
ultranationalism develop in Germany as an extension or expression
of national interests?
• Political indecisiveness by Britain and France caused them to
follow a policy of appeasement
• The annexation of the Sudetenland
• Occupy the rest of Czechoslovakia, 1939
• Laying eyes on Poland
• Hitler was too quick for Britain