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UAB History Play a Role in Shaping National Identity Discussion
Help me study for my English class. I’m stuck and don’t understand.
How does national history play a role in shaping national identity? Discuss an example for the United States.
Things to ponder:
This chapter discusses the interwoven nature of history and culture. Remember, we also learned at the beginning of the semester that language and culture are inseparable? It’s the same concept. We learn lessons from our past actions and strive to make sure that we will not make the same mistakes. From the US perspective, a few good examples would be the injustices of segregation teaching us to strive toward racial harmony, the folly of Prohibition demonstrating not to tinker with the Constitution to meet the PC currents of the day, and the tangled alliances that led to World War I illustrating George Washington’s warning to steer clear of such foreign policies.
This chapter also discusses that historical events provide insight to, and help explain, national character. The early US historical experience promoted values of independence and self-reliance. Although Americans are considered individualistic, they often participate in many self-selected groups on a voluntary basis. There are hardworking Americans, and there are also hardly working Americans. As we all know, this is not only in the US, rather this is a universal issue.
The 1947 Partition of India was a result of Hindu-Muslim discord that began hundreds of years earlier. If you are interested please Google this topic.
When Aryans invaded India (modern-day Afghanistan and Pakistan included) way back 5,000 years ago or more, the conflict created a division between northern and southern India that is still there, and the Islamic influences that came in waves from the eighth century onward have had profound lingering influences as well. And don’t forget, the South Indian/Sri Lanka conflict is still playing a huge role in shaping and reshaping national identities in the region as well. This chapter discusses this issue by giving examples from a few countries around the world. Think about the relationship we have with Russia. How do historical events like the Bolshevik Revolution continue to have an impact on US-Russia relations, and how much have such events helped us to shaping our national identity?
The US-China relationship could be seen from the same perspective: Taiwan vs. mainland, communist vs. capitalist, etc..
Japan-US could be another good example: allies in WWI, enemies in WWII, and close friends throughout the postwar era.
Remember after 9/11 how the US has changed? Initially, more and more American flags, shirts, memorabilia, and general consensus that those responsible should pay the ultimate price? I gave a guest lecture for a World Music course last semester, and we chose a song that taught how the music could change perspectives and reshape culture. I used a song that became popular during the 30-year civil war in Sri Lanka. Here is the link; watch it and see how much symbolism of war, heroes, and nationalism shows throughout the song. Very similar to Toby Keith’s red white and blue?
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