Social Studies 20-1
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Course Summary
Review of Key Understandings
Key Understandings of Nation
and Nationalism
Individuals and groups may hold
diverse understandings of the nation
in which they feel a sense of
belonging.
A nation may be a country, a
nation-state, or a nation within a
nation-state.
Bonds to the nation, such as living
within the same borders, may be
visible.
Bonds may be internalized and a
shared collective consciousness
may develop of things we have in
common.
Individuals and groups may
demonstrate their understandings
and connections in the form of
expressions of nationalism.
A sense of belonging may shape the
patriotism or loyalties that members
of the nation have.
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is valid?
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idea?
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Social Studies 20-1
The understandings, expressions,
and loyalties that form the
foundations of a nation also shape
identity.
An individual’s identity may reflect a
specific nation.
A group may share a national
identity.
In countries where diverse nations
exist within the same geographic
location, individuals may hold
loyalties to more than one nation.
Contending loyalties may compete
for recognition. In situations where
the contending loyalties create
tensions, it may be necessary to
reconcile these loyalties.
In communities where diverse
nationalism is present, contending
loyalties and diverse identities may
challenge how well people of a
community can live together if they
do not share a common identity.
Nationalism influences national
identity.
Nationalism also shapes the
interests of a nation to maintain the
essence of what it is as a nation.
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Course Summary
Social Studies 20-1
Key Understandings of
Historical National Interests
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is valid?
Course Summary
 What proof supports this idea?
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to explain this idea?
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idea?
National interests created
competition and conflict between
nations between 1914 and 1945.
Nationalism and the pursuit of
national interests led to a form of
ultranationalism that resulted in both
strong patriotism and genocide
during the war years.
There is a relationship between
national interests and the causes
of war.
Key Understandings of
Contemporary National
Interests
The pursuit of interests that will
maintain the continuity and/or the
prosperity of a nation may be similar
today as they were for nations such
as Canada in the past.
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is valid?
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idea?
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to explain this idea?
Social Studies 20-1
Since the end of World War II,
greater attention has been placed
on national self-determination.
The belief that it is the right of a
nation to determine its own direction
poses opportunities and challenges.
Former colonial empires and
world powers face nations
within their borders that pursue
self-determination as a
national interest.
The world has seen the emergence,
and sometimes the achievement, of
nationhood for nations of people that
control their own affairs.
Each pursuit of national
self-determination is unique.
The motives of groups within a
country may threaten the continuity
of the nation.
The nation may be motivated to
protect the language, culture, land,
and/or rights of the people.
The strategies used to promote
nationalism vary from nation to
nation
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Course Summary
Social Studies 20-1
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Course Summary
A nation may lobby for a change in
the nation-state’s constitution as a
strategy to allow for increased rights
for the people of the nation.
Breaking away from the nation-state
and establishing autonomy may be
another strategy used by the nation.
The scope of self-determination
varies depending on the degree of
control that the nation seeks.
Support for or resistance to the
pursuit of national self-determination
should consider the needs of the
nation and the other nation(s) that
will be affected.
People and nations need to consider
the immediate and long-term
impacts the struggle for national
self-determination has on
relationships between nations.
Key Understandings of the
Pursuit of Internationalism
The resolution of global issues may
demand the participation of nations
because of the impact these issues
have on the nation itself.
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is valid?
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idea?
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to explain this idea?
Social Studies 20-1
International cooperation,
involvement, or intervention may be
necessary to maintain the economic,
political, or security interests of the
nation.
Nations such as Canada, the United
States, China, and members of the
European Union may hold the
perspective that their citizens should
come to the aid of the global
community. A variety of motives
may cause a nation to pursue global
interests over self interest.
It may be in the national interests of
Canada to support global interests
in the world economy, global
security, and human rights’ issues in
order to guarantee peace and
stability in Canada.
The reaction of nations towards
global issues may range from
isolationism to active participation.
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Course Summary
Social Studies 20-1
Key Understandings on the
Pursuit of Internationalism
over Nationalism
Depending upon the extent of the
issue, nations may or may not
pursue internationalism to resolve
the challenges created by the issue.
It may be perceived as a local or a
global issue.
Internationalism may be applied if
citizens and nations believe that the
issue has the risk of becoming a
global issue and will impact citizens
beyond the borders.
A sense of collective responsibility
for the sustainability of this planet
and the prosperity of all citizens may
also lead a nation to come to the aid
of another nation.
In a variety of situations,
internationalism is viewed
as the most effective tool.
Immediately-affected nations may
not have the tools to respond quickly
or effectively. Cooperation and
involvement by other nations may
require the sacrifice of nationalism in
the pursuit of internationalism.
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is valid?
Course Summary
 What proof supports this idea?
 What example illustrates this
idea?
 What are key terms that I can use
to explain this idea?
Social Studies 20-1
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Course Summary
The cost of pursuing
internationalism may make nations
reluctant to sacrifice nationalism,
such as when national interests are
ignored in favour of international
interests or the national interests of
another nation.
Key Understandings of
National Identity in Canada
There is a complexity to defining a
national identity in Canada.
There are diverse historical visions
and future visions of national
identity.
With each vision, there are
implications, both positive and
negative, on the personal and
collective identities of Canadians.
Canadians must determine the
extent that they should embrace a
national identity in comparison to
other identities such as a global or
regional identity.
 How can I explain why this idea
is valid?
 What proof supports this idea?
 What example illustrates this
idea?
 What are key terms that I can use
to explain this idea?