1. Ethnicity and Nationhood
AP Human Geography

2. Ethnicity Reviewed
As we previously discussed, ethnicity refers to the cultural background of a group of people, as opposed to race, which refers to physical/ biological background.
Therefore, people of the same ethnic group may have the same religion, language, customs/ traditions, clothing, music/ art, clothing, etc.

3. Ethnicity and Nationality
Cultural similarities within an ethnic group typically lead to a strong sense of togetherness and unity.
In an effort to preserve their culture, many ethnic groups seek self-determination, which is the right to self-government.
When an ethnic group becomes a country, they become known as a nationality.
Multiple ethnicities within a country can lead to conflict and in many cases, violence.

4. What is a nation-state?
Ethnic groups may seek to create a nation-state, which is a country dominated by one ethnicity.
Essentially, the boundaries of a country are drawn around an ethnic group.
This allows an ethnic group to govern themselves based on their own values and culture.
Examples: Japan, most of Europe, Israel, former Yugoslavia

5. Where are the nation-states?

6. Japan: A Nation State

7. Multi-Ethnic State
A multi-ethnic state is any country with many different ethnic groups living in its borders.
Typically, these groups co-exist peacefully, but sometimes ethnic groups want to break away and form their own states.
Examples: USA!, Russia

8. Russia: A Multi-Ethnic State

9. Multi-National State
A state made up of two or more nations (ethnic groups) with self- determination.
Ex. United Kingdom, made up of England, Wales, Scotland and N. Ireland

10. The UK: A Multi-Nation State

11. Stateless Nation An ethnic group/ nation with no country of it’s own.
Often spread over many countries.
Ex. Palestinians, Kurds

12. The Kurds: A Stateless Nation

13. Centripetal vs. Centrifugal Forces
Centripetal (towards the center)
Centrifugal (away from the center)
Anything that unites a country
Nationalism (pride)
Songs, flags
Same lang/ religion/etc.
Sports
Common history
Strong leader/ government
Anything that divides a country
Cultural differences
Weak central government
Regional over national pride

14. Yugoslavia and Balkanization
The former Yugoslavia is an excellent example of a multi-ethnic country that broke apart into many smaller nation-states.
Where? Balkan Peninsula (SE Europe, north of Greece)
When? Yugoslavia was created after WWI.
Who? Many ethnic groups, inc. Bosnians, Albanians, Croats, Serbians, Slovenes. Also, different religions (Christianity, Islam) and languages.
On paper, a recipe for conflict.

15. Yugoslavia and Balkanization
Yugoslavia was held together by a strong dictator (centripetal force), Joseph (Josip) Tito from
Tito kept the various ethnic/ religious group from fighting each other.
After Tito’s death in 1980, various groups began fighting for power and land, resulting in war and genocide (ethnic cleansing)
The break up of a state into many smaller states based on ethnic divisions is known as balkanization.
Today, Slovenia, Croatia, Serbia, Bosnia and Herz, Kosovo, Montenegro, and Macedonia are all independent nation-states.

16. Yugoslavia pre-1991

17. The Former Yugoslavia (Balkans) Today