Nationalism and Collective Consciousness Chapter 4 To what extent do people’s experiences with nationalism vary?

Topics Collective consciousness defined Exploring Canadian Identity Exploring Canadian Perspectives Exploring American Identity

What is collective consciousness? Occurs when its members share similar values, beliefs, and internalized feelings based on their shared experiences It can develop when the people of the nation focus their identity as a group rather than on their identities as individuals

Is there a collective consciousness in a Canadian context? “A Canadian is someone who keeps asking the question, “What is a Canadian.”” “Canada is a country built against any common, geographic, historic or cultural sense.” “Canada is the greatest nation in this country.” What understandings of Canada and being Canadian are presented in the above quotations? How would you define Canada?

Different perspectives exist concerning Canadian nationalism What lead to Canada becoming a nation? Confederation in 1867? Completing the Canadian National Railroad – uniting people together from coast to coast in 1885? Adding in the rest of the provinces and territories – a process that ended in 1999? Accomplishments in international conflicts such as World Wars 1&2?

Different ideas exist defining Canada’s peoples We are Canadian! – from coast to coast to coast (civic nationalist view) with common interests, concerns and values Canada is a marriage between the English and French (Francophone view) – as such - it is an equal partnership between Quebec and the rest of Canada – be careful, or it could end up in divorce! We are a nation of nations (Ethnic nationalist view) consisting of FNMI peoples, and other immigrants - a multicultural country

The “Canadian” View We collectively celebrate our accomplishments Vimy Ridge Battle – WW1- a symbol of Canadian pride, independence, patriotism and nationalism Canada Day – remembering July 1st 1867 Creation of our Charter of Rights and Freedoms (1982) – guaranteeing legal rights and freedoms of all Canadians We celebrate our diversity by recognizing we are united together by accepting our differences – in language, ethnicity, religion, etc.

The Quebecois View Many (but not all) see themselves as a separate nation with their own collective consciousness – distinct from the rest of Canada Based on: their unique history (New France), their language and customs, their struggle not to be dominated by English Canada, and their quest for sovereignty Past events reveal the conflict of a nation within a nation – Quiet Revolution, FLQ Crisis, Referendums for Quebec’s independence, refusal to sign onto Canada’s Constitution

The FNMI View First Nations, Meti and Inuit share the view that they are unique among Canadians, but also feel that they are unique in and amongst themselves. Consider the following quote: “We the Indigenous Peoples of the Americas understand all too well that our survival and future is linked to the maintenance of our separate and distinct identity, and to the free exercise of our inherent self determination within our territories” Notice that national borders aren’t mentioned – could this just be an oversight?

Exploring American Identity Although Canadians and Americans have many similarities, there are distinct differences which contribute to very different perceptions about nationalism and collective consciousness

America was a nation forged from warfare They had their revolution, we didn’t They hated the British, we loved them Their ideas to create their nation were based on the rejection of everything they considered to be British – in politics, economics and in their social structure Americans share a love of freedom and liberty – these were the cornerstones of their revolution Americans feel justified in “fighting the good fight;” especially if they feel that their freedoms or interests are threatened anywhere in the world

Americans feel united and divided Unlike our multicultural model, America views itself as a melting pot – the idea that new immigrants put aside their old cultures in exchange for the American culture -one official language – English -one set of values – American -one type of allegiance – to the United States In this case, diversity moves aside for conformity

Although Americans have a sense of unity, there have been forces of disunity at work -old attitudes and differences still exist between the North and the South – in politics, and in social attitudes – even in today’s world -America fought a Civil War in the 1860’s between north and south – a key issue was slavery -the South wanted to keep it, the North rejected it -after many bloody battles, the North won – even with the war over, black people fought for their civil rights well into the 20th Century – esp. in the South

Some final questions to ponder: How does a shared collective consciousness develop? Do newcomers take on the collective consciousness of their new country? Despite the diversity in Canadian perspectives, is there a shared Canadian consciousness?