Nationalism In The Modern Era
The modern era was a time of nationalism as countries were beginning to expand their territories. During 18th and 19th centuries, nationalism in North America and Europe began to increase due to various episodes of political unrest and turmoil. The colonists in North America united to gain independence from England, while countries in Europe sought to overthrow their existing monarchies. The seeds of American nationalism were planted during the French-Indian war, where the colonists initially joined forces with the British troops. However, the British began treating the colonists as inferior, eventually passing legislation that allowed for British troops to quarter with the colonist in their homes [http://education.seattlepi.com/two-things-colonists-learned-french-indian-war-5761.html].
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However, throughout the modern era, nationalism embroiled with immodest motives has ignited costly wars and harmed thousands of innocent people. One example of nationalism impacting political and cultural affairs in the modern era were the American expansion through the notion of “Manifest Destiny”. During the 19th century, American settlers held the belief that it was destined that they expand their political and cultural affairs across the North American continent. The settlers believed that this was a divine gift that was destined for the growth of America as a nation. This need for expansion as John L. O’Sullivan asserts was an “unparalleled glory” (O’Sullivan, 103). O’Sullivan further explains that the settlers believe that best way to unite their country would be to remake the rest of the continent into their own and into a “great nation of futurity” (O’Sullivan, 103). Land that was further west from the colonies was already inhabited by Native American and Hispanic settlers. Believing and staying true to what O’Sullivan calls “human liberty…and refinement”, the settlers began acquiring territories, sparking the Mexican-American war and Native American removal from the land the settlers felt was theirs to expand to. The “Trail of Tears” ignited by the 1803 Indian Removal act, forced the Natives westward. Exposed to harsh weather conditions, thousands of the Natives died as a result of
However, throughout the modern era, nationalism embroiled with immodest motives has ignited costly wars and harmed thousands of innocent people. One example of nationalism impacting political and cultural affairs in the modern era were the American expansion through the notion of “Manifest Destiny”. During the 19th century, American settlers held the belief that it was destined that they expand their political and cultural affairs across the North American continent. The settlers believed that this was a divine gift that was destined for the growth of America as a nation. This need for expansion as John L. O’Sullivan asserts was an “unparalleled glory” (O’Sullivan, 103). O’Sullivan further explains that the settlers believe that best way to unite their country would be to remake the rest of the continent into their own and into a “great nation of futurity” (O’Sullivan, 103). Land that was further west from the colonies was already inhabited by Native American and Hispanic settlers. Believing and staying true to what O’Sullivan calls “human liberty…and refinement”, the settlers began acquiring territories, sparking the Mexican-American war and Native American removal from the land the settlers felt was theirs to expand to. The “Trail of Tears” ignited by the 1803 Indian Removal act, forced the Natives westward. Exposed to harsh weather conditions, thousands of the Natives died as a result of