Nationalism has historical roots from the 19th century when industrialization and increased wealth led nations in Europe like Germany and Italy to form based on shared identity. During this time, some nations also built global empires fueled by nationalism. After World War 2, independence movements grew as colonial elites were educated and embraced ideals of self-determination, threatening imperial powers despite resistance. The dominance of the USA and USSR after the war also contributed to independence for colonies that each superpower saw as oppressive or could influence. Decolonization accelerated in the 1960s but resulted in conflicts for some new post-colonial nations in West Africa due to issues like ethnic divisions, wealth disparities, and control of resources.

1. Nationalism Today

2. Have a go…
• Evaluate the effects that contested borders
can have on some nations. (20)

3. Starter
• What is meant by the term nationalism
• Why is nationalism and a growing issue of
identity interlinked?

4. Learning Objectives:
• Define what Nationalism means
• Appreciate that the growing nationalism of
today is built on historical roots

5. Definition
• Nationalism is the shared feeling for a special, significant
geographical area;
• Maybe expressed politically as a sense of belonging
• May be linked to a ethnic, cultural or religious group
• May embrace several smaller minorities

6. 19th Century Europe
• Saw a rise in nationalism based on the
industrial revolution and the increased
wealth of nations
• Friedrich Hegel (1770-1831) said it was
the cement that bound countries as
religion and old wealth was on the decline.
• Countries like Germany, Italy and
Romania formed by linking regional states
with a common national identity

7. Empire Building
• During this time some countries sort global
empires and nationalism was a large part
of this including Britain, Spain, France and
Holland.
• It became extreme when Germany in the
early twentieth century expanded into
parts of eastern Europe believing the
Germans needed more living space

8. Independence Movement post
1945
• By the end of WW2 European Nationalism
had spread and through the education of
the colonial elites
• Self-determination a by-product of the
liberal nationalistic ideals helped to
threaten imperial powers
• At first there was a resistance to
independence but the man power the war
and the cost became too great to continue

10. USA and USSR
• The dominance of these two nations post
WW2
• The USA were against colonies as it saw
itself as the leader of the free world
• Plus it felt it impacted trade
• USSR also were against it as it felt it
oppressive
• Plus it could have more influence on them.

11. Independence Movement
• Came in two types
• Non-Violent protest
– India
• Violent revolutions
– Angola against Portugal (1964-71)

12. Timeline of India’s Independence

13. ‘The Wind of Change’
• In 1960 Britain allowed independence to 17 countries in
Africa due to a rise in political will it could no longer
control
• The speed of these show when the UN in 1945 had 51
members by 1969 it had 120
• These new states found a moral purpose from the events
of 1960 which would have far reaching impacts for the
continent.

14. Post-Colonial Conflict
• Has had a massive impact on the region
West Africa alone has seen 7 conflicts due
to post-colonial change:
– Nigeria (1967-70)
– Liberia (1989 & 1999)
– Sierra Leone (1991-2002)
– Guinea Bissau (1998-99)
– Ivory Coast (2002-07 & 2010-11)

15. Why would nations fight when
they have their independence
• Chose a Nation and find out:
• Ethnicity split
• GDP per capita
• Wealth of resources
• Other issues
– Nigeria
– Liberia
– Sierra Leone
– Guinea Bissau
– Ivory Coast