Steele1

Elise Steele

Professor Edwards / Professor Whorton

World History 1120 / English 1150

21 November 2017

The Malevolence of Nationalism

The glory of a nation depends on many factors. However, nations often become caught

up in the importance of power and in response, morality and sensibility are lost in tangles. In the

rise of the 20th century, many people began to question the roots of pride and national success.

Industrial progress and military strength became determinate factors of global power. In

response, various countries began to discover the heat and repercussions of radical nationalism.

In effect, economies were damaged, countries were divided, and tens of millions were lost in

war. Nationalism acted as a unifying power in the mid to late 1800s, but in the rise of the 20th

century, critics of military expenditures, war regimes, and the prioritization of material success

revealed nationalism as a harmful tool of control.

Nationalism drove countries to expend their resources and prioritize imperialistic power

over humanity. In the rise of wars and a global competition for power and recognition, nations

used extraneous amounts of capitol on militarism. Armies grew larger as expenses reached

striking new heights. Countries felt the need to expand and strengthen their militaries as the

desire for supremacy and showmanship increased. Emma Goldman, a bold anarchist of this time

informs:

From the first to the last of the periods noted the expenditures of Great Britain
increased from $2,101,848,936 to $4,143,226,885, those of France from
$3,324,500,000 to $3,455,109,900, those of Germany from $725,000,200 to
$2,700,375,600, those of the United States from $1,275,500,750 to
$2,650,900,450. (Goldman)
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Goldmans cold statistics illustrate how influential nationalism truly was on economic spending.

The spending habits were often viewed as harmful because they allowed major portions of a

nations spending to be used on military purposes rather than to balance the money between

domestic and foreign needs. Furthermore, if nations exhaust their capital on a military, it

increasingly becomes a necessity to put the military to use in order to justify the expenses

(Goldman). Therefore, Goldmans argument can be interpreted to claim that the stress on

military power increases the inevitability of war. This particular allocation of money was rooted

in the motivation to appear a dominant nation and assert national superiority.

As countries prioritized their military control, they administered an immense push on

imperialism. Imperialism consists of the extension of power and control of one nation in a new

territory. Imperialism was a result of nationalism as each country tried to emerge as the greatest

power in territory and domination. Rudyard Kiplings White Mans Burden is a prime example

of the imperialist efforts of the late 1890s. As a European, Kipling urged the United States to

take control of the new territories gained from the Spanish American War of 1898. However,

Kipling did not take a sensitive and humanized approach. An excerpt from The White Mans

Burden advises:

Take up the White Man's burden--

Send forth the best ye breed--
Go bind your sons to exile
To serve your captives' need;
To wait in heavy harness,
On fluttered folk and wild--
Your new-caught, sullen peoples,
Half-devil and half-child. (Kipling 1-8)

Kipling illustrates the white mans approach to imperialism as the burden of new people,

half-devil and half-child. Kipling explains, men must go to these new territories to command

order and issue assimilation on the new caught, sullen peoples. While Kipling attempts to
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demonstrate the glory of taking on imperialism, he ironically showcases the truly demeaning and

inhumane nature of the act. U.S. imperialism often included violence and insensitivity; the

country prioritized power over humanity.

In the eyes of the imperialistic white man, the new territories were not inhabited by a

new people with their own history and culture but by new laborers, land, and numbers. In other

words, nationalism sparked the consistent dehumanization of unfamiliar people in order to

increase economic standing and appear more impressive in the global feud for showmanship.

Goldman expressed in elaboration, in politics, naught but quantity counts. In proportion to its

increase, however, principles, ideals, justice, and uprightness are completely swamped by the

array of numbers (75-84). Goldmans argument acts as a response to Kiplings poem because it

coordinates with the actions of the United States after the Spanish American War. Kipling did

not urge the U.S. to claim the land with a kind hand of cultural acceptance but through force and

duty. Nationalist success was dependent on numbers. In this case, numbers were more important

than morals.

Furthermore, nationalist feelings encouraged men, soldiers, and brother to turn violently

on each other in times of war. Nationalism played a major role in the rise of war in the early

1900s; men were assured their deaths would be in glory, their families would be proud, and their

brothers across the battlefield were the enemies. However, as many approached the true

intensities of war, they realized the fight for their country was not exactly as advertised.

Patriotism requires allegiance to the flag, which means obedience and readiness to kill father,

mother, brother, sister (Goldman). Understanding patriotism often acts as in exchangeable

term for nationalism, Goldmans quote illustrates the harsh truth many men had to face as they

entered war to display their allegiance.

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The confusion between the glorification and terrorization of war filled nations with

twisted perceptions. Many men did not know how to control the internal conflict inflicted by

their nationalistic roles. In response, the war brought rise to an artistic boom. Soldiers tried to

transcribe war into words; the poetry of Stephen Crane and Wilfred Owen stands out as

examples. Crane writes:

Do not weep, babe, for war is kind

Swift, blazing flag of the regiment,
Eagle with crest of red and gold,
These men were born to drill and die.
Point for them the virtue of slaughter,
Make plain to them the excellence of killing
And a field where a thousand corpses lie. (Crane 12 & 17-22)

Crane illustrates the blinding control of nationalism in war. Soldiers often fight for inconceivable

purposes. Death is glory and war is kind. If men believe war is kind, the nation still has soldiers

willing to fight, can maintain a large military, and will appear greater than others. Kipling

includes, make plain to them the excellence of killing as a reference to the institutionalized

normalization of violence and war. The idea of nationalism was established as a faade in order

to appear as a gleaming symbol of pride. However, in reality, death is brutal and war is cruel.

Owen develops further on the terrors of war in his poem, Dulce et Decorum Est.

In all my dreams before my helpless sight,

He plunges at me, guttering, choking, drowning

My friend, you would not tell with such high zest

To children ardent for some desperate glory,
The old Lie: Dulce et decorum est
Pro patria mori. (Owen 15-16 & 25-28)

Owens poem reflects on the visual aspects and the effects of observing death in battle. The

final line from Owens excerpt translates, it is sweet and fitting to die for ones country.

However, the images and context of the poem draws irony into the statement. Owen refers to
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the reflection as an old lie difficult to reiterate to children with their nave perceptions of

glory. The commitments of allegiance Owen draws to question test the true nature of

nationalism and its mutated purposes.

Additionally, in the rise of 1900s, nations turned on each other in exclusionary fits of

nationalism. The world divided in response to the importance of personal achievement. In a

competition for supremacy, nations each attempted to be the most successful. In the process of

this battle, nations did not shy from trickery, manipulation, and insensitivity; ultimate success

was often perceived to require a darker level of intensity. Success means everything to these

nations and they are often willing to sacrifice their character in order to achieve global

superiority (Goldman 75-84). Goldman argues audaciously on the political conflict of

supremacy. Nations began to prioritize external success over morality and national character and

some noticed while others did not. The negative side effects of nationalism at the time are

illustrated through the demeaning nature of imperialism, the deceitfulness of war, and the global

competition for power.

Race, specifically, became a driving factor of supremacy and separatism. Many began to

fear racial tensions would ravage to the point of destruction. Yamagata Aritoma, former Prime

Minister of Japan, reveals a similar fear and expresses, the possibility of rivalry between the

white and colored races henceforth growing in intensity and leading eventually to a clash

between them cannot be ruled out entirely (298). Aritomo addresses how racial issues cue to the

development of nations own ideals of the superior race. The exclusion of minorities and the

damage of connections with racially diverse countries is a prime example of the abusive potential

of nationalism. Nations began to either divide or join forces due to racial comparisons. Aritomo

expands, now, are not Japan and China the only true states in Asia? ...We must attempt the
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solution for our myriad problems on the premise of Asia for the Asians (299). While the union

of two nations is commonly seen as a positive reinforcement, the motivation behind their

togetherness must be observed. Japans attempt at solidarity was driven by the fear of a racial

war and the need for a greater support system. Therefore, the truce was simply an attempt to

avoid the aggressions of other countries and protect ones own nation. In addition, Aritomo

demonstrates a more intricate form of exclusion by proving even smaller nations are not immune

to the egocentricities that often accompany nationalism. Japan and China are certainly not the

only Asian territories. The nationalistic movement that excludes minorities promotes racial

purity and in result, builds barriers between different races and nations.

Figures of authority, such as Americas Woodrow Wilson, convinced citizens of the

importance and beauty of nationalism by only illustrating nationalism in a positive light. On July

14, 1914, Wilson led an address at Independence Hall titled, The Meaning of Liberty. Wilsons

speech exemplifies the authoritative attempt to warp the appearance of nationalism to appeal to

the people. Patriotism consists in some very practical thingsthat they are connected with

commonplace duty. The way to be patriotic in America is not only to love America but to love

the duty that lies nearest to our hand and know that in performing it we are serving our country

(Wilson). This quote provides a particular example of the stress of patriotism (otherwise referred

to as nationalism) in America. Allegiance is urged in a personal sense as well as through external

action. The use of this quote pushes everyone to feel obliged to his or her own country, since it is

the duty of everyone. While Wilson promotes unity in the eyes of the people, the secret agenda

for nationalism is in the success of economy, military, and politics.

As nationalism extends to the common household, the people are encouraged to instill

nationalism into their personal system of values. The president urges, do not blame others if
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they do not agree with you. Do not die with bitterness in your heart because you did not convince

the rest of the world, but die happy because you believe that you tried to serve your country by

npot selling your soul (Wilson). Wilson proposes the elimination of compromise and unification

in order to hold personal ideals on an immobile pedestal. In the rise of the 20th century, and with

authoritative persuasion, nationalism could potentially blind someone to believe his or her ideas

are unbeatable. To further the hidden agenda of nationalism, if people believe their country will

always do what is best and correct, the people will be more willing to work, fight, and serve.

Finally, in an address to the nation as a whole, Wilson simplifies and morphs the process

of becoming the most distinguished nation in the world. He claims, parentheticallyI do not

think anybody was hurt (Wilson). Wilsons statement appears harshly ironic after the

emotional, physical, and economic damages of World War One. The artistic works of Crane and

Owen would lead in opposition to Wilsons claim. However, Wilsons argument was honored

with proudly waved flags because to most Americans in 1914, the shadowed motives of

nationalism were disguised as harmless fidelity.

Nationalism was the spark of violent imperialism, excessive spending, racial tensions,

and traumatizing fighting in the late 1800s to the early 1900s. However, in neglect of all the

negative side effects, nationalism was still presented as a polished beacon of pride and passion

directed towards ones homeland. It is hard to believe so many people did not notice the

extensive global damage caused by the race for superiority. However, when abused, nationalism

is a controlling tool used to draw in soldiers, labor, and allegiance, all for what is believed to be

glory and pride. Did the men know glory meant killing their brothers? Did the imperialized know

success meant losing their freedoms? Did the nation know nationalism would cost it its morals?
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While nationalism had been helpful in the past, in the rise of the 20th century, nationalism was

ultimately a harmful practice.

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Works Cited

Aritomo, Yamagata. The Coming Race War. 1914-1915, Accessed 8 Nov 2017.

Crane, Stephen. War is Kind. Poetry Foundation, 1899, Accessed 6 Nov 2017.

Goldman, Emma. Minorities Versus Majorities. Anarchism and Other Essays, Anarchy

Archives, 1911, pp. 75-84, Accessed 8 Nov 2017.

Goldman, Emma. Patriotism: a Menace to Liberty. Anarchism and Other Essays, 1911,

Accessed 7 Nov 2017.

Kipling, Rudyard. The White Mans Burden: Kiplings Hymn to U.S. Imperialism. History

Matters, 1899, Accessed 8 Nov 2017.

Owen, Wilfred. Dulce et Decorum Est. Poetry Foundation, 1920, Accessed 8 Nov 2017.

Woodrow, Wilson. Address at Independence Hall: The Meaning of Liberty. The American

Presidency Project, 14 July 1914, Accessed 8 Nov 2017.