Nationalism

“And I’m proud to be an American…”

Definition

  love of country and willingness to sacrifice for it, patriotism the conviction that the culture and interests of your nation are superior to those of any other nation

Were the Colonies Nationalistic?

   Most colonies were self interested Little connection between the colonies Unsuccessful attempt at unification during the French and Indian War   Albany Plan of Union Ben Franklin

Were we nationalistic under the Articles of Confederation?

   A confederacy is formed to increase the importance of the states.

Very weak central government.

No unifying force for the nation.

Were we nationalistic during the early days of the Constitution?

 Very fearful of a strong central government even though the Constitution allowed for a federal system

So when did we become nationalistic?

       Response to the XYZ Affair Louisiana Purchase Lewis and Clark Expedition War of 1812 Era of Good Feelings Geographic expansion Monroe Doctrine

Conflicts with France

   France was seizing American ships bound for England They asked for a bribe to negotiate "Millions for defense, sir, but not one cent for tribute!"

Louisiana and Sacajawea

   1803 the U.S. purchased Louisiana from the French doubling the size of our country over night.

1804 Lewis and Clark are sent to explore the western half of the continent. Their guide was a 16 year old Indian woman named Sacajawea.

Both events lead to strong feelings of nationalism.

War of 1812

The United States declared War on Great Britain on June 12, 1812.

Star Spangled Banner

    Battle of Baltimore on Sept. 12-14, 1814. British ships bombarded Fort McHenry, which guarded Baltimore's harbor, for 25 hours. By the morning of Sept. 14, the British realized that their attack was unsuccessful and withdrew their ships.

Francis Scott Key who was a witness to this event wrote the poem that would become our national anthem.

Star Spangled Banner verse 1

O say can you see, by the dawn's early light, What so proudly we hail'd at the twilight's last gleaming, Whose broad stripes and bright stars through the perilous fight O'er the ramparts we watch'd were so gallantly streaming?

And the rocket's red glare, the bomb bursting in air, Gave proof through the night that our flag was still there, O say does that star-spangled banner yet wave O'er the land of the free and the home of the brave?

Star Spangled Banner verse 2

On the shore dimly seen through the mists of the deep Where the foe's haughty host in dread silence reposes, What is that which the breeze, o'er the towering steep, As it fitfully blows, half conceals, half discloses?

Now it catches the gleam of the morning's first beam, In full glory reflected now shines in the stream, 'Tis the star-spangled banner - O long may it wave O'er the land of the free and the home of the brave!

Star Spangled Banner verse 3

And where is that band who so vauntingly swore, That the havoc of war and the battle's confusion A home and a Country should leave us no more?

Their blood has wash'd out their foul footstep's pollution.

No refuge could save the hireling and slave From the terror of flight or the gloom of the grave, And the star-spangled banner in triumph doth wave O'er the land of the free and the home of the brave.

Star Spangled Banner verse 4

O thus be it ever when freemen shall stand Between their lov'd home and the war's desolation!

Blest with vict'ry and peace may the heav'n rescued land Praise the power that hath made and preserv'd us a nation!

Then conquer we must, when our cause it is just, And this be our motto - "In God is our trust," And the star-spangled banner in triumph shall wave O'er the land of the free and the home of the brave.

Treaty of Ghent Ends the War

<    Sometimes called the “second war for American independence” We defeated the British once again in a defensive war and gained their grudging admiration and respect.

As most successful wars do, it lead to a heightened sense of national pride.

The Old Defenders, veterans of the Battle of Baltimore, marched in parades in Baltimore on Sept. 12, Defenders' Day, for the rest of their lives. These Old Defenders were photographed in 1880.

Era of Good Feelings

   Post-War of 1812: U.S. united strongly because of nationalist attitudes -- North, South, and West united. Democratic-Republican party essentially unchallenged in American politics. "American System" was a plan for domestic improvements at national expense, a protective tariff, and a national bank.

Expansion

    Apr. 30, 1803 - The United States purchases the Louisiana Territory for $15 million, containing what is now Arkansas, part of Colorado, Iowa, Louisiana, part of Minnesota, Missouri, part of Montana, part of North Dakota, part of Oklahoma, South Dakota, and part of Wyoming. Apr. 30, 1812 - Louisiana is the 18th state admitted to the Union. Dec. 11, 1816 - Indiana is the 19th state admitted to the Union. Dec. 10, 1817 - Mississippi is the 20th state admitted to the Union.

Expansion (cont.)

     Dec. 3, 1818 - Illinois is the 21st state admitted to the Union. Feb. 22, 1819 - The United States annexes Florida. Dec. 14, 1819 - Alabama is the 22nd state admitted to the Union. Mar. 15, 1820 - Maine is the 23rd state admitted to the Union. Aug. 10, 1821 - Missouri is the 24th state admitted to the Union.

Monroe Doctrine

   Sought to limit European influence in the Western Hemisphere. The United States would regard as a threat to its own peace and safety any attempt by European powers to impose their system on any independent state in the Western Hemisphere. Reaffirmed that the United States would not interfere in European affairs.

Questions

    Why would a person living in Boston in 1770 not consider themselves an “American”?

Why would a person living in Richmond in 1785 not consider themselves an “American”?

Why would a person living in Cincinnati in 1820 consider themselves an “American”?

What do you believe was the strongest influence on bringing about a sense of nationalism for our country?