IN TIMES OF CONFLICT, TO WHAT EXTENT ARE
NATIONALISM AND ULTRANATIONALISM
EXPRESSIONS OF THE OF THE PURSUIT OF
NATIONAL INTERESTS
Chapter 8 - SS 20-1
WHAT IS
ULTRANATIONALISM?
Ultranationalism can be best described as an extreme
form of nationalism often involving extreme
patriotism.
Usually this goes with the idea that one countries
national interests infringe on another’s country or
country.
ISSUES TO LOOK AT ...
How did nationalism influence the pursuit of
Canadian national interests during the First and
Second World War?
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 War?
NATIONALISM IN CANADA
WW I AND II
Canada was a young country at the turn of the Century, and in
reality part of Great Britain. When the mother country went to
war, so did we.
What GB declared was on Germany in 1914, we were
automatically in the war as well. How does that make us feel as a
country?
Through many losses at the beginning of a supposed short war,
there was a need to get people to fight. As well, Australia was
giving more men, what was Canada to do?
MILITARY SERVICE ACT 1917
This is better known as conscription, which is the
legislated enlistment of people to help the war effort.
It was a good idea, and of the 100,000 that were part
of conscription about 24,000 went over to fight in
Europe.
However, it was a crisis that deeply divided the
country between the French and English.
BETWEEN THE WARS
Between the wars, there was a movement between
the great powers to let go of their interests overseas,
and Great Britain did just that through the Statute of
Westminster in 1931.
With this Statute, we gained sovereignty and a sense
of nationalism. When war was declared in 1939,
Canada did not automatically enter the was on the
side of the allies, and then Prime Minister of Canada
King waited a week to decide the fate of Canada.
WW II AND CONSCRIPTION
As part of going to war King promised not to evoke
conscription.
As the was dragged on, there was a need to get more
men involved, as some were staying back to work in
the factories.
King had to hold a referendum on the promise that
he made of no conscription and he won a large
majority.
THE FRENCH QUESTION
The French Canadians were not that fond of this idea.
They argued we were doing enough for the war
effort and to extend the population of 11 million
would not be good for Canada.
In the end, we did have conscription, but hardly any of
these conscripts fought in the war.
INTERNMENT IN CANADA
Look at pages 171 - 175. This talks about the
internment of Ukrainians and Japanese in Canada
during the Wars.
When you look at these two issues, as you will be
doing this by yourself, compare what happened with
both of these people and how they were treated by
the Canadian government.
GERMANY AND
ULTRANATIONALISM
We have looked at some of the background.
Franco-Prussian War 1870-1871
Struggles to become a power in Europe.
Joining alliances with Austria-Hungry and Italy
In looking at this, go back to the overlying question of
of how far do you go? Here is your answer.
GERMANY AND
ULTRANATIONALISM
The Treaty of Versailles crippled Germany as you well know.
The terms were unrealistic, and it really was a kick in the
crotch for many Germans.
The Depression hit Germany hard, as it didn’t have money
to begin with.
There was hyper-inflation as it was easier to print money,
which devalues it and long story short the money is worth
less that the paper it is printed on.
GERMANY AND
ULTRANATIONALISM
To combat the lack of government and direction
there was an increase in the rise of right-wing parties.
The right side of the political spectrum is about
Fascism and government control. The theory is make
a scapegoat of a group of people, have one party in
power and let business grow with the help of the
government.
Large projects (autobahn) got people working and
also make then people proud to be German.
GERMANY AND
ULTRANATIONALISM
The person is charge of this German revival was
Adolf Hitler.
He had the support of most of Germany with his
policies of returning Germany to a power in Europe,
revenge for the Treaty of Versailles, and blaming a
group of people for all their troubles.
Buoyed by the lack of interest by the League of
Nations to problems with Japan, Germany was able to
do what it wanted in Europe.
ULTRANATIONALISM IN
JAPAN
Japan has always had a strong sense of nationalism.
Think back the ideas of a nation-state, and Japan fits it
to a tee.
Japan was isolated for over 700 years and only in the
late 1800’s were the doors opened to the west.
They might have missed the industrial revolution, but
they caught up quickly with the ideas of the west.
However, it was resource poor.
ULTRANATIONALISM IN
JAPAN
To get resources it turned to its neighbors. Through
peace and war, they were able to get goods.
However, the Russo-Japanese War of 1905 did two
things.
Told Europe that Japan was to be a power
Told the Japanese that they need to gain more
power.
ULTRANATIONALISM IN
JAPAN
During WWI, Japan was on the allied side, which
helped out post war in Asia. They received colonies
of Germany and influence in China.
Japan eventually invaded Manchuria (Northern
China), and Japan became the major player in Asia.
The power of the country lay in the hands of the
military and they wanted to conquer all of Asia.
ULTRANATIONALISM IN
ITALY
Got late into the idea of country (1859-1870) and
therefore late into colonialism.
Wanted to unite all those that are Italian ethnicity
within a natural boarder (irredentism).
They joined the allies in WW I because they were
promised territory for working, and they got some
but not all.
After the war, Italy was spending more than it was
making, therefore running a deficit.
ULTRANATIONALISM IN
ITALY
A very bold leader, Benito Mussolini, came onto the
scene as a newspaper publisher who criticized the
Socialist Government (heavy taxes for increased
spending) and the business people were scared.
Mussolini stages a coup d’etat in 1920 and begins to
promote Italy as a power in the Mediterranean.
He brought almost everything under the control of
the government, a one party system that got rid of
any opposition.
ULTRANATIONALISM IN
ITALY
He was anti-communist, which made him liked by
many people in Europe and was seen as a person
who could not be influenced by democracy or
communism.
He allied himself with Germany and did his best to
really screw up the plans of Hitler.
THE RESULTS
Why were these countries affected?
No strong sense of Democracy prior to the rise
of ultranationalist. These parties had the popular
support of the masses while making backdoor
promises to business.
Charismatic Leaders who knew what to say and
when to say it.
How to solve problems? Expand, military and
conquest of those that are weaker.