Mr. Gregory
May 16TH 2012
Nationalism
Nationalism
Nationalism is a word described as having intense feelings of patriotism, principals, and efforts. This word is an incredible idea that members of a nation can have a mutual bond by sharing similar ethnicity, culture, ideas, and language. Three songs, all written in the 1800s, are perfect examples of how nations come together. The two songs “The Rhine Watch” and “The German Fatherland” both express German nationalism. Another song, “The Star Spangled Banner, perfectly demonstrates the nationalism in our own country.
“The Rhine Watch” is a song that was sung mainly by German soldiers during the Prussian War in 1870 [1]. The German song shows patriotism and pride in their country by stating, “While rifle rests in patriot hand, No foe shall tread thy sacred strand.” These particular lines state that the Germans band together so that the feet of foreign enemies never cross into their land. Another German song, “The German Fatherland”, even more expresses the astonishing devotion of the Germans to their nation. This specific song shows that the Germans believe the fatherland is not bounded by its surrounding countries. The song “The Star Spangled Banner” displays the unique patriotism found in our country. The song conveys the image of freedom that the country was built on by continually addressing the bravery of the country.
The two German songs and the American Anthem contrast with each other in several ways. The American Anthem is filled with lines of how triumphant the country was against its mother country, Great Britain, in the American Revolution. The Anthem expresses nationalism by explaining this in its stanzas such as in lines 28 and 29: “Blest with vict’ry and peace, may the Heav’n rescued land. Praise the Power that hath made and preserved us a nation!” The two