Post World War Two American Nationalism: Good Or Bad For The United States

Post World War 2 American Nationalism
Aee Dischert
11/24/14

Nationalism is defined as a strong sense or political ideology that entices a strong sense that attaches one to a nation or country. It has lead groups of people to use revolutions, violent and not, to become powerhouse nations. It is not something that can be held, Nationalism is not something that can be grasped. Although beneficial, the idea of Nationalism can also lead to war or even genocide. The idea of Nationalism will be analyzed and criticized to reveal the true nature and the importance of this concept for Post World War Two. Nationalism can be positive and negative, this evaluation will determine if Nationalism is truly good or bad for the United States.
Nationalism is a fairly modern idea, which took form in the late 16th, 17th, and 18th centuries. The first full use of what is known today as Nationalism, occurred in the middle ages in Europe, however Nationalism became recognized and started molding lives around the 18th century. One major example of Nationalism is the Unification of America during times of War and other major conflicts.
A major event that had an effect was the Vietnam war. This was a 20 year conflict between the U.S. and the two states of Vietnam. Many people were against this conflict because it was a war
that seemed couldn't be won, in an unfamiliar territory, fighting for a victory that seemed impossible. Nationalism tore the country apart, with people for the war (also known as Hawks), and people who opposed the war (Doves)

Nationalism also has a negative side, one that can lead nations to war.
Nationalism can also create competition between nations. An example of that is the famous Space Race. In this case, two nations, the United States and Russia were competing to see which nation could get to Space faster. Nationalism was in full swing in this case because both nations tried to prove themselves to the world trying to showcase their country as a world power. Nationalism can be good and bad. One major outcome of Nationalism are revolutions, they are defined as changes in areas of a culture, they always involve tremendous shifts in the way things are traditionally carried
out.
Nationalism came from one other idea. That idea is known as Imperialism. Imperialism is basically one country thinking they are more “fit” to rule a country. Examples of this are all around, but Imperialism hit its peak at the Berlin conference. The Berlin Conference was the European nations “bidding” on African Nations they wanted to rule. The reason this conference was held was to put to rest the disputes over what nation could get which African region. This conference was two years long and was successful in elimination controversy over who got what regions. Imperialism is the stem of Nationalism because it is the belief that one nation, who believes that it is more fit to rule any nation.
One could say America was founded on imperialism. The British felt they were out of land in the United Kingdom and decided to expand. They felt as though they could take whatever land they wanted. They took the Native American land (peacefully at points and sometimes not.). They established a branch of their country on land that didn't belong to them. Today, we face much more different problems. One is Abortion.
Abortion was made legal in 1973 after the landmark Roe v. Wade Supreme Court case decided a woman's right to choose outweighed a child's right to life. Since then, countless numbers of unborn and Innocent children have been murdered. These children could've gone on to do things for the world, but they will never have that chance. This is still a very hotly debated topic with both pro-life groups peacefully protesting abortion clinics and other things like that. On the other hand, pro-choice activists can be found all the way up to the highest position in the United States government, the President.
Civil rights in the 1960's is another example of nationalism in our Nations post World War 2 history. This is important because this is an issue that tore the United States apart. This issue turned blacks against whites. Black people simply wanted equality and rights which were stated in the Constitution. “During the 1950s and ‘60s, African-Americans campaigned for an end to racial discrimination through a series of non-violent protests and marches. The Civil Rights Movement culminated with the passage of federal laws banning discrimination in voting, employment, housing and other sectors of American society (finding Dulcea)”. White oppression would not give them their rights so people like Martin Luther King Jr. Stepped up and led peaceful marches and gave speeches to inspire Blacks to fight for their rights.
Another version of Nationalism that shone through was containing communism. This was the era directly after World War 2. This issue affected not only America, but surrounding areas. On March 5th, 1946, Winston Churchill gave a speech in Missouri. “Churchill used the speech, titled “The Sinews of Peace,” to warn America and the Western world of the looming threat posed by Josef Stalin and the Soviet Union. “A shadow has fallen upon the scenes so lately lighted by the Allied victory. ... From Stettin in the Baltic to Trieste in the Adriatic, an iron curtain has descended across the Continent.” (finding Dulcea, Churchill).
Nationalism can be good in a sense that one nation benefits, but that might mean that one nation may be negatively affected. Nationalism will always be around, it cannot be destroyed or put down, it will survive. One could say Nationalism is one of the greatest determining factors of the world. Nationalism is positive because although it can affect the outcome of some places or nations negatively, Nationalism was intended on pulling people together, through these examples given and others around the world at various times, it is clear that this topic is positive for the world and its current state.