Chapter 23 Post

Once again, the concept of nationalism plays an extremely important role in history. Decolonization throughout the 20th century was largely driven by nationalism. Strayer states, "never before had the end of empire been so associated with the mobilization of the masses around a nationalist ideology; nor had earlier cases generated a plethora of nation-states." I still find it fascinating that nationalism is a relatively new concept in world history. It is so embedded in today's world, it is hard to imagine a world arranged any differently.

I thought the text pointed out a very important difference between the decolonization of the Americas, and those of Asia and Africa. It says, "they not only asserted political independence but also affirmed the vitality of their cultures, which had been submerged and denigrated during the colonial era." This speaks to a whole other level of nationalism that includes race, ethnicity, language and other unique features of these societies.

I think the text has done a good job of addressing the 'why' in world history. In attempting to explain why decolonization was so rampant during the mid-twentieth century, the text brings up an important concept. Strayer talks about "the notion of 'conjuncture,' the coming together of several separate developments at a particular time." It is really just a fancy way of saying that historical events usually happen for several reasons, as opposed to any one particular reason. This seems like a pretty obvious concept, but I think it is important because many people like to have one clear-cut, simple answer, and that does a disservice to the complexity, interrelatedness, and enormous scope of world history.

Nationalism itself is not a clean and clear-cut concept. Clearly, nationalism had some positive outcomes for many oppressed peoples who gained their independence. However, the idea of defining a nation is an inexact science. Strayer describes these issues: "(nationalist movements) were fragile alliances of conflicting groups and parties representing different classes, ethnic groups, religions, or regions. Beneath the common goal of independence, they struggled with one another over questions of leadership, power, strategy, ideology, and the distribution of material benefits, even as they fought and negotiated with their colonial rulers." It's almost as if there is nationalism within nationalism, and these issues are ongoing and contribute heavily to the problems that still exist in these nations.