Forces Between Nationalism and Sectionalism in the 19th Century
What events or trends contributed to the relationship between the forces of Nationalism and Sectionalism?
During the course of American History, and especially after the War for Independence, Nationalism and Sectionalism contributed and interacted with each other to shape the development of the United States of America. These two ideologies are the inverse of one another. When sectionalism is strong, nationalism is weak. When Nationalism is strong, sectionalism is weak. While sectionalism and nationalism work off of each other, nationalism has always prevailed over sectionalism in history. The inverse relationship and clash between the two forces can be seen through a number of different events or trends in history such as, economical improvements, political endeavors, and wars involving America.
Nationalism is known as the loyalty and devotion to a nation. Sectionalism is known as an exaggerated devotion to the interests of a region. (Merriam-Webster, Incorporated n.d.) These two forces seem to oppose one other, yet neither one can survive without the other. A country is always going to have sectionalist ideals, such as two states having separate ideas on a particular topic, but nationalistic policies in the government, and within the people, ultimately control sectionalist principals. “Throughout the world no country has showed such striking outward evidences of national growth and national self-consciousness as did the United States during the first half of the 19th century.” (Manning 2010, 67) If a country is together as a whole, both socially and politically, there must be nationalism, because without nationalism a country would not survive.
Nationalistic ideals began to form when the American economy started to take shape in the earth nineteenth century, especially when it came to improvements within transportation. This allowed different regions in the country to have the capability of faster trade and information with other countries. The National Road,
During the course of American History, and especially after the War for Independence, Nationalism and Sectionalism contributed and interacted with each other to shape the development of the United States of America. These two ideologies are the inverse of one another. When sectionalism is strong, nationalism is weak. When Nationalism is strong, sectionalism is weak. While sectionalism and nationalism work off of each other, nationalism has always prevailed over sectionalism in history. The inverse relationship and clash between the two forces can be seen through a number of different events or trends in history such as, economical improvements, political endeavors, and wars involving America.
Nationalism is known as the loyalty and devotion to a nation. Sectionalism is known as an exaggerated devotion to the interests of a region. (Merriam-Webster, Incorporated n.d.) These two forces seem to oppose one other, yet neither one can survive without the other. A country is always going to have sectionalist ideals, such as two states having separate ideas on a particular topic, but nationalistic policies in the government, and within the people, ultimately control sectionalist principals. “Throughout the world no country has showed such striking outward evidences of national growth and national self-consciousness as did the United States during the first half of the 19th century.” (Manning 2010, 67) If a country is together as a whole, both socially and politically, there must be nationalism, because without nationalism a country would not survive.
Nationalistic ideals began to form when the American economy started to take shape in the earth nineteenth century, especially when it came to improvements within transportation. This allowed different regions in the country to have the capability of faster trade and information with other countries. The National Road,
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