Further Than Loyalty

            Are you loyal to your own land and country, to a point that you will indifferently oppose other land’s and nations’ beliefs, way of life, traditions, and so on. According to Webster (2014), nationalism means showing complete support and faithfulness towards a nation, even though showing nationalism intend to go against other nations. Miscevic (2001) describes the word nationalism in two marvelous ideas. First, it is the way the elements of a country are thoughtful and mindful as for their country’s identity. Second, it is the act of the elements of a country that is made while finding to succeed reaching and continuing their own choice. Nationalism can be illustrated in different perspectives.

One of the very important causes of the First and Second World War and other kinds of wars was nationalism itself (Webster, 2014). During the World War Two, Nationalism was the evident action of the Nazi Party of Germany. Koenigsberg (n.d.)states in an online article, an individual’s options and reactions to other nations may be less favorable, when he has a strong passion on his own nation. Nazis describes nationalism as the ultimate identity of oneself to defend upon other nations’ hands. Trying to be strong or significant, being of a country show in a single possibility that they are strong is merit of its position to protect itself upon other countries. Affected by the fact that countries have foes, nationalism tends to do crafty things to the country. Stating the fact that the country has foes produces the expansion of establish organization for the society and large expenses given to the so-called national defense. Nazism exhibits nationalism not different from others, except the fact that they have an extreme kind of it called totalitarian. Having a sacred feeling of wholeness with one’s country is the center and foundation of Nazism. The Nazis may have put nationalism in a bad way and order, but they were able to fulfill their goal, protecting their country.

Looking at the Japanese nationalism during World War Two, Deac (1996) reported that in the 1920s, Japan was hook and too attached to their national traditions. Japan’s recluse and somewhat isolated culture has caused partial tension; rooted on their established old sacredness, armed troops, and organized government notions are not familiar to the Westerners. The other intense tension was to prompt fast current ideas. With the pressure in among the Japanese, it directed an inner argument that led to the violent act on Pearl Harbor. According to Patterson (2008), Japan was tightly hidden from other countries’ influence that it has caused no war and fights with other counties and has knowledge almost in inner peacefulness. Even though the Japanese are governed by their shogun and their chief of the emperor, they were still separated to many districts ruled by their land lords. With this manner of rule on their own particular district, most of the Japanese are not attached to the core of their country that their nationalism was not progressive.

Every nation has a list of national holidays, where everyone is given a break from works to celebrate as an entire country or nation on that special day. Nationalism is also evident in celebrations, since the whole country is in one enjoying and honoring that special event. “One of the yearly celebrations in the Philippines is Rizal Day, it is a celebrated on 30th of December in commemoration of Dr. José Rizal, the Philippine’s National Hero. The earliest commemoration of Rizal Day was in 1898 issued by Emilio Aguinaldo, the foremost president of the Philippines. Rizal is regarded as an outstanding idol in the Philippines, whereas he is recognized as a revolt by writing novels revealing unfair treatment of the Spanish colonizers” (Rizal Day 2014 & 2015, 2014). The Philippines continues to commemorate Rizal Day as a respect and admiration to their National Hero, Jose Rizal. This simple act shows nationalism in remembering a country’s hero as devoting one’s self to a nation’s traditions and customs.

Every the Fourth of July staring from the late nineteenth century, Americans often give importance to their leisure activities and a usually have parties with families and friends, often having fireworks as outdoor displays and outdoor barbecues. The symbol well-known during this holiday isthe one and only American flag and together with a pleasant music fromthe national anthem of the United States, “The Star-Spangled Banner.” The US Independence Day was first held in the state of Philadelphia on the year 1777, even though the Congress remained filled and not vacant with the proceeding war.After the war between America and Great Britain in 1812, celebrating customs grew more common in the US (July 4th,2009). The celebration every July the fourth is an evidence of the continuous support of the Americans to their country’s day of freedom.

Alvarez(2014) reported that in 1986, the EDSA People Power’s Revolution, it’s commemorating monument stands along EDSA in Quezon City, Philippines, is respected around the world for being the a known bloodless revolution. This meaningful incident in the Philippine nation in February 25, 1986, has deeply remained in every Filipinos’ heart and mind. The Philippines, through this historical event, gave intense awareness of pride and displayed genuine power of democracy to distant countries that admired and tried to follow it. By the Filipinos’ faithful prayers and rosaries as weapons, the Philippines regained their freedom from the tyrant, President Ferdinand Marcos, courageously showing true power with the absence of turbulent force and bloody slaughter in democracy. The lengthy harsh time with less freedom and the unjust dangerous treatment of the cruel Martial Law enforce by President Marcos. This revolution sparked some Filipino pride with the help of each other; they were able to succeed in their goal, the Filipino democracy. The Filipinos were willing to fight their countries’ freedom from Marcos solid grip on the country.

The French Revolution joins together different parts of France and increases the strength of the entire country’s political organization. Bringing down the very old constructions in Europe, the Revolution causes the arrival of nationalism to happen more quickly and introduces the new modern completely military wars. Despite the fact that few of the  annalists sees the Reign of Terror as a threatening forerunner of the new totalitarianism, some annalists still asserts  that the revolution shows the importance of the self-governing organizations (“French Revolution,” 2014). The French in oneness fought a good fight to improve their own country’s new government that they exhibit nationalism in their revolution.

One may be loyal and supportive to his own beloved country. According to Alexander (2001), one will never avoid the fact that he will go against the other countries, becauseof the character of nationalism. Extreme nationalism like the Nazi Party has, led to more wars and deaths than the benefit of Germany and other countries. Some stands are worth fighting for, yet one may be blinded of the situation as Hitler experienced. Nationalism may also led to good effects, like fighting for your own countrymen‘s freedom and independence.Nationalism can be illustrated in different perspectives.

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References:

Alexander, R. (2001). The Modern Political Concept of Nationalism. Retrieved November 16, 2014, from http://classroom.synonym.com/modern-political-concept-nationalism-6444.html

Alvarez, A. (2014, February 12). EDSA People Power Revolution. Retrieved November 12, 2014, from http://www.philippine-history.org/edsa-people-power-revolution.htm

Deac, W. (1996, August 19). The Rise of Militaristic Nationalism – November ’96 World War II Feature. Retrieved November 7, 2014, from http://www.historynet.com/the-rise-of-militaristic-nationalism-november-96-world-war-ii-feature.htm#sthash.EUkLG0a1.dpuf

“French Revolution.”The Columbia Encyclopedia, 6th ed. 2014. Retrieved November 16, 2014 from Encyclopedia.com: http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1E1-FrenchRe.html

July 4th. (2009). Retrieved November 12, 2014, from http://www.history.com/topics/holidays/july-4th/print

Koenigsberg, R. (n.d.). Nationalism, Nazism, Genocide. Retrieved November 7, 2014, from http://www.libraryofsocialscience.com/ideologies/docs/rk_nationalism.htm

Miscevic, N. (2001, November 29). Nationalism. Retrieved November 5, 2014, from http://plato.stanford.edu/entries/nationalism/

Patterson, W. (2008).Bushido’s Role in the Growth of Pre-World War II Japanese Nationalism. Retrieved November 16, 2014, from http://www.academia.edu/1348502/Bushidos_Role_in_the_Growth_of_Pre-World_War_II_Japanese_Nationalism

Rizal Day 2014 & 2015.(n.d.). Retrieved November 18, 2014, from http://publicholidays.ph/rizal-day/

Webster, M. (2014).Nationalism. Retrieved November 5, 2014, from http://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/nationalism