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Borders: Aspects of Territorial and Group Identities

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1 Borders: Aspects of Territorial and Group Identities

2 Nations and Societies Historical approach to political institutions
Divine power of nobility Christiandom and its parallels Succession of civilization Effects of the Reformation and the Enlightenment Heterodoxy Democracy Autocracy

3 Nations and Societies Self Kinship
Identification groups (including ‘peoplehood’) Institutions Governmental Non-governmental Land and other possessions ‘National Character’

4 Nations and Societies Johann Gottfried von Herder
Life: 25 August 1744 – 18 December 1803 Philosopher, theologian, poet and literary critic Important intellectual bridge from Enlightenment to nineteenth century European thought Major works include: Ideas for the Philosophy of History of Humanity (1784–91). Contemporaneous English translation: Churchill, T., Outlines of a Philosophy of the History of Man, London, 1800

5 Herder quote on nationalism
Translation uploaded and modernized by Professor Jerome S. Arkenberg, California State University at Fullerton.

6 Herder quote (Part 1) “Nature has sketched with mountain ranges which she fashioned and with streams which she caused to flow from them the rough but substantial outline of the whole history of man. One height produced nations of hunters, thus supporting and rendering necessary a savage state; another, more extended and mild, afforded a field to shepherd peoples and supplied them with tame animals; a third made agriculture easy and needful; while a fourth led to fishing and navigation and at length to trade. The structure of the earth, in its natural variety and diversity, rendered all such distinguishing conditions inescapable . . Seas, mountain ranges and rivers are the most natural boundaries not only of lands but also of peoples, customs, languages and empires, and they have been, even in the greatest revolutions in human affairs, the directing lines or limits of world history. If otherwise mountains had arisen, rivers flowed, or coasts trended, then how very different would mankind have scattered over this tilting place of nations.

7 Herder quote (Part 2) “Nature brings forth families; the most natural state therefore is also one people, with a national character of its own. For thousands of years this character preserves itself within the people and, if the native princes concern themselves with it, it can be cultivated in the most natural way: for a people is as much a plant of nature as is a family, except that it has more branches. Nothing therefore seems more contradictory to the true end of governments than the endless expansion of states, the wild confusion of races and nations under one scepter. An empire made up of a hundred peoples and a 120 provinces which have been forced together is a monstrosity, not a state-body.”

8 Herder quote (Part 3) “What is the supreme law which we note in all great historical events? In my opinion, it is this: that, in every part of our earth, all possible development is determined in part by the position and the necessities of the locality, in part by circumstances and the opportunities of the age, and in part by the inborn and self-nourishing character of the peoples.... All events in the human sphere, like all productions of nature, are decreed solely by time, locality, and national character, in short by the coordination of all the forces of life in their most positive individuality.”

9 Herder quote (Part 4) “Active human powers are the springs of human history, and, as man originates from and in one race, so his body, education, and mode of thinking are genetic. Hence that striking national character, which, deeply imprinted on the most ancient peoples, is unequivocally displayed in all their operations on the earth. As the mineral water derives its component parts, its operative power, and its flavor from the soil through which it flows, so the ancient character of peoples arose from the family features, the climate, the way of life and education, the early actions and employments, that were peculiar to them. The manners of the fathers took deep root and became the internal prototype of the descendants. The mode of thinking of the Jews, which is best known to us from their writings and actions, may serve as an example: both in the land of their fathers and in the midst of other nations they remain as they were, and even when mixed with other peoples they may be distinguished for some generations onward. It was and is the same with all other peoples of antiquity---Egyptians, Chinese, Arabs, Hindus, etc. The more secluded they lived, nay frequently the more they were oppressed, the more their character was confirmed, so that, if every one of these nations had remained in its place, the earth might have been regarded as a garden where in one plot one human national plant, in another, another, bloomed in its proper form and nature, where in this corner one kind of national animal, in that, another, pursued its course according to its instincts and character...”

10 Herder quote (Part 5) “Has a people anything dearer than the speech of its fathers? In its speech resides its whole thought-domain, its tradition, history, religion, and basis of life, all its heart and soul. To deprive a people of its speech is to deprive it of its one eternal good.... As God tolerates all the different languages in the world, so also should a ruler not only tolerate but honor the various languages of his peoples.... The best culture of a people cannot be expressed through a foreign language; it thrives on the soil of a nation most beautifully, and, I may say, it thrives only by means of the nation's inherited and inheritable dialect. With language is created the heart of a people; and is it not a high concern, amongst so many peoples---Hungarians, Slavs, Rumanians, etc.---to plant seeds of well-being for the far future and in the way that is dearest and most appropriate to them? . . .”

11 Herder quote (Part 6) “The savage who loves himself, his wife, and his child with quiet joy and glows with limited activity for his tribe as for his own life is, it seems to me, a more genuine being than that cultured shade who is enchanted by the shadow of his whole species.... In his poor hut, the former finds room for every stranger, receives him as a brother with impartial good humor and never asks whence he came. The inundated heart of the idle cosmopolitan is a home for no one....”

12 Herder quote (Part 7) “No greater injury can be inflicted on a nation than to be robbed of her national character, the peculiarity of her spirit and her language. Reflect on this and you will perceive our irreparable loss. Look about you in Germany for the character of the nation, for their own particular cast of thought, for their own peculiar vein of speech; where are they? Read Tacitus; there you will find their character: "The tribes of Germany, who never degrade themselves by mingling with others, form a peculiar, unadulterated, original nation, which is its own archetype. Even their physical development is universally uniform, despite the large numbers of the people," and so forth. Now look about you and say: "The tribes of Germany have been degraded by mingling with others; they have sacrificed their natural disposition in protracted intellectual servitude; and, since they have, in contrast to others, imitated a tyrannical prototype for a long time, they are, among all the nations of Europe, the least true to themselves.”

13 Expression of Identity & National Character through Anthems
Case 1: Great Britain-- Rule Britannia When Britain first, at heaven's command, Arose from out the azure main, Arose, arose, arose from out the a-azure main, This was the charter, the charter of the land, And guardian A-a-angels sang this strain: Rule Britannia! Britannia rule the waves Britons never, never, never shall be slaves. Rule Britannia! Britannia rule the waves. Britons never, never, never shall be slaves. Still more majestic shalt thou rise, More dreadful, from each foreign stroke; As the loud blast that tears the skies, Serves but to root thy native oak. "Rule, Britannia! rule the waves: "Britons never will be slaves." The Muses, still with freedom found, Shall to thy happy coast repair; Blest Isle! With matchless beauty crown'd, And manly hearts to guard the fair. "Rule, Britannia! rule the waves: "Britons never will be slaves." Britannia rule the waves. Britons never, never, never shall be slaves.

14 Expression of Identity & National Character through Anthems
Case 2: Scotland the Brave (variant) Scotland the Brave (variant on bagpipes, lyrics listed)

15 Expression of Identity & National Character through Anthems
Case 2: Alternate Lyrics to Scotland the Brave Hark when the night is falling Hear! Hear the pipes are calling, Loudly and proudly calling, Down thro' the glen. There where the hills are sleeping, Now feel the blood a-leaping, High as the spirits of the old Highland men. Towering in gallant fame, Scotland my mountain hame, High may your proud standards gloriously wave, Land of my high endeavour, Land of the shining river, Land of my heart for ever, Scotland the brave. High in the misty Highlands, Out by the purple islands, Brave are the hearts that beat Beneath Scottish skies. Wild are the winds to meet you, Staunch are the friends that greet you, Kind as the love that shines from fair maiden's eyes. Towering in gallant fame, Scotland my mountain hame, High may your proud standards gloriously wave, Land of my high endeavour, Land of the shining river, Land of my heart for ever, Scotland the brave. Far off in sunlit places, Sad are the Scottish faces, Yearning to feel the kiss Of sweet Scottish rain. Where tropic skies are beaming, Love sets the heart a-dreaming, Longing and dreaming for the homeland again. Towering in gallant fame, Scotland my mountain hame, High may your proud standards gloriously wave, Land of my high endeavour, Land of the shining river, Land of my heart for ever, Scotland the brave..

16 Discussion Point 1 Herder quote: “No greater injury can be inflicted on a nation than to be robbed of her national character, the peculiarity of her spirit and her language...” How is national character and language reflected in patriotic anthems?

17 Expression of Identity & National Character through Anthems
Case 3: American Civil War Union Anthem: The Battle Cry of Freedom Yes, we'll rally round the flag, boys, We'll rally once again, Shouting the battle cry of Freedom, We will rally from the hillside, We'll gather from the plain, Shouting the battle cry of Freedom. CHORUS: The Union forever, Hurrah! boys, hurrah! Down with the traitors, Up with the stars; While we rally round the flag, boys, Rally once again, Shouting the battle cry of Freedom. We are springing to the call Of our brothers gone before, Shouting the Battle Cry of Freedom. And we'll fill the vacant ranks With a million freemen more, Shouting the Battle Cry of Freedom! CHORUS We are marching to the field, boys, We're going to the fight, Shouting the Battle Cry of Freedom, And we bear the glorious stars For the Union and the right, Shouting the Battle Cry of Freedom.

18 Expression of Identity & National Character through Anthems
Case 3.1: Confederate Parody/Response: The Battle Cry of Freedom Our flag is proudly floating On the land and on the main, CHORUS Shout, shout the battle cry of Freedom! They have laid down their lives Beneath it oft we've conquered, On the bloody battle field, And we'll conquer oft again! Their motto is resistance – "To tyrants we'll not yield!" CHORUS: Our Dixie forever! Shout, shout the battle cry of Freedom!— She's never at a loss! Down with the eagle And up with the cross! While our boys have responded We'll rally 'round the bonny flag, And to the fields have gone, We'll rally once again, Our noble women also Have aided them at home Our gallant boys have marched To the rolling of the drums, And the leaders in charge cry out, "Come, boys, come! " Shout, shout the battle cry of Freedom!—

19 Expression of Identity & National Character through Anthems
Case 4: American Civil War Confederate Anthems I’m a Good Old Rebel Bonnie Blue Flag Polk Miller and his Old South Quartet (1914 recording, 2175: Edison Blue Amberol) Modern version

20 Expression of Identity & National Character through Anthems
Case 4: Bonnie Blue Flag lyrics We are a band of brothers and native to the soil Fighting for our Liberty, With treasure, blood and toil And when our rights were threatened, the cry rose near and far We’ll raise on high the Bonnie Blue Flag that bears a single star! Chorus: Hurrah! Hurrah! For Southern rights, hurrah! Hurrah for the Bonnie Blue Flag that bears a single star. 2. As long as the Union was faithful to her trust Like friends and like brethren, kind were we, and just But now, when Northern treachery attempts our rights to mar We hoist on high the Bonnie Blue Flag that bears a single star. 3. First gallant South Carolina nobly made the stand Then came Alabama and took her by the hand Next, quickly Mississippi, Georgia, and Florida All raised on high the Bonnie Blue Flag that bears a single star. 4. Ye men of valor gather round the banner of the right Texas and fair Louisiana join us in the fight Davis, our loved President, and Stephens statesmen rare Now rally round the Bonnie Blue Flag that bears a single star. 5. And here's to brave Virginia, the old Dominion State, With the young Confederacy at last has sealed her fate, And held by her example, now other states prepare To hoist on high the bonnie blue flag that bears a single star. 6. Then cheer, boys, cheer, now raise a joyous shout For Arkansas and North Carolina now have both gone out, And let another rousing cheer for Tennessee be given, The single star of the Bonnie Blue Flag has grown to be eleven. 7. Then here's to our Confederacy, strong we are and brave, Like patriots of old we'll fight, our heritage to save; And rather than submit to shame, to die we would prefer, So cheer for the Bonnie Blue Flag that bears a single star.

21 Historical Vignette: Polk Miller and his Old South Quartet
Performed at Sons of the Confederacy reunions

22 Expression of Identity & National Character through Anthems
What issues are implicit in the examples of Union and Confederate battle anthems ? What do the anthems tell us about motives / issuees for volunteering? How do they express a group identity or National Character? Multiple Loyalties in the American Civil War: Example of the Irish Volunteers

23 Expression of Identity & National Character through Anthems
Case 5: Irish Volunteers (Union soldiers) My name is Tim McDonald, I'm a native of the Isle, I was born among old Erin's bogs when I was but a child. My father fought in " 'Ninety-eight," for liberty so dear; He fell upon old Vinegar Hill, like and Irish volunteer. Then raise the harp of Erin, boys, the flag we all revere-- We'll fight and fall beneath its folds, like Irish volunteers! Chorus--Then raise the harp, etc. When I was driven form my home by an oppressor's hand, I cut my sticks and greased my brogues, and came o'er to this land. I found a home an many friends, and some that I love dear; Be jabbers! I'll stick to them like bricks and an Irish volunteer. Then fill your glasses up, my boys, and drink a hearty cheer, To the land of our adoption and the Irish volunteer! Chorus--Then fill your glasses, etc. Now when the traitors in the south commenced a warlike raid, I quickly then laid down my hod, to the devil went my spade! To a recruiting-office then I went, that happened to be near, And joined the good old "Sixty-ninth," like and Irish volunteer. Then fill the ranks and march away!--no traitors do we fear; We'll drive them all to blazes, says the Irish volunteer. Chorus--Then fill the ranks, etc. When the Prince of Wales came over here, and made a hubbaboo, Oh, everybody turned out, you know, in gold and tinsel too; But then the good old Sixty-ninth didn't like these lords or peers-- They wouldn't give a d--n for kings, the Irish volunteers! We love the land of Liberty, its laws we will revere, "But the devil take nobility!" says the Irish volunteer! Chorus--We love the land, etc. Now if the traitors in the South should ever cross our roads, We'll drive them to the devil, as Saint Patrick did the toads; We'll give them all short nooses that come just below the ears, Made strong and good of Irish hemp by Irish volunteers. Then here's to brave McClellan, whom the army now reveres-- He'll lead us on to victory, the Irish volunteers. Chorus--Then here's to brave, etc. Now fill your glasses up, my boys, a toast come drink with me, May Erin's Harp and the Starry Flag united ever be; May traitors quake, and rebels shake, and tremble in their fears, When next they meet the Yankee boys and Irish volunteers! God bless the name of Washington! that name this land reveres; Success to Meagher and Nugent, and their Irish volunteers! Chorus--

24 Expression of Identity & National Character through Anthems
Case 6: Song of the Irish Brigade (Confederate soldiers) Oh, not now for songs of a nation's wrongs, not the groans of starving labor; Let the rifle ring and the bullet sing to the clash of the flashing sabre! There are Irish ranks on the tented banks of Columbia's guarded ocean; And an iron clank from flank to flank tells of armed men in motion. And frank souls there clear true and bare To all, as the steel beside them, Can love or hate withe the strength of Fate, Till the grave of the valiant hide them. Each seems to be mailed Ard Righ, whose sword's avenging glory Must light the fight and smite for Right, Like Brian's in olden story! With pale affright and panic flight Shall dastard Yankees base and hollow, Hear a Celtic race, from their battle place, Charge to the shout of "Faugh-a-ballaugh!" By the sould above, by the land we love Her tears bleeding patience The sledge is wrought that shall smash to naught The brazen liar of nations. The Irish green shall again be seen as our Irish fathers bore it, A burning wind from the South behind, and the Yankee rout before it! O'Neil's red hand shall purge the land- Rain a fire on men and cattle, Till the Lincoln snakes in their own cold lakes Plunge from the blaze of battle. The knaves that rest on Columbia's breast, and the voice of true men stifle; we'll exorcise from the rescued prize- Our talisman, the rifle; For a tyrant's life a bowie knife!- Of Union knot dissolvers, The best we ken are stalwart men, Columbiads and revolvers! Whoe'er shall march by triumphal arch Whoe'er may swell the slaughter, Our drums shall roll from the Capitol O'er Potomac's fateful water! Rise, bleeding ghosts, to the Lord of Hosts For judement final and solemn; Your fanatic horde to the edge of the sword Is doomed line, square, and column!

25 Expression of Identity & National Character through Anthems
Case 7: The Irish Brigade (Confederate soldiers) Listen all ye that hold communion With Southern Confederates who are bold, And I will tell you of some men for the Union Who in northern ranks were enrolled; They came to Missouri in their glory And thought at their might we'd be dismayed; But they soon had a different story When they met Kelly's Irish Brigade. CHORUS: When they met with the Irish Brigade me boys When they met with the Irish Brigade Didn't those cowardly Lincolnites tremble When they met with the Irish Brigade. They have called us rebels and traitors, But themselves have thrown off that name of late. They were called it by the English invaders At home in the eve of ninety eight The name to us is not a new one though, Tis one that shall never degrade And it's true-hearted Irishmen In the ranks of Kelly's Irish Brigade. CHORUS Well they dare not call us invaders, 'Tis but state rights and liberty we ask; And Missouri, we will ever defend her, No matter how hard may be the task. Then let the Irishmen assemble, Let the voice of Missouri be obeyed; And the northern fanatics will tremble When again they meet Kelly's Irish Brigade.

26 Expression of Identity & National Character through Anthems
Multiple loyalties in the American Civil War: Example of the Irish Volunteers How do multiple loyalties establish group borders? Typology of borders?

27 Southern Identity: Relic of Civil War?
Redneck, White Socks and Blue Ribbon Beer (Johnny Russell) There's no place that I'd rather be than right here With my red neck, white socks, and Blue Ribbon beer. The barmaid is mad cause some guy made a pass The jukebox is playin "There Stands the Glass" The cigarette smoke kinda hangs in the air Red necks, white socks, and Blue Ribbon beer. A cowboy is cussin' the pinball machine A drunk at the bar is gettin' noisy and mean And a guy on the phone says "I'll be home soon, dear" Red necks, white socks, and Blue Ribbon beer. No we don't blend with that white collar crowd We're a little too rowdy, and a little too loud But there's no place that I'd rather be than right here With my red neck, white socks, and Blue Ribbon beer. The semi's are passin' on the highway outside The four-thirty crowd is about to arrive The sun's goin' down and we'll all soon be here Red necks, white socks, and Blue Ribbon beer.

28 Southern Identity: Relic of Civil War?
Song of the South (Alabama) A Country Boy can Survive (Hank Williams, Jr)

29 Union Identity Solidarity Forever (Pete Seeger) Union Maid (Pete Seeger) Which Side Are You On? (Pete Seeger)

30 Arnold Toynbee Life: April 14, 1889 – October 22, 1975
British historian; metahistorian Major work: A Study of History (12 volumes, 1934–1961)

31 Arnold Toynbee “Let us call this society, whose spatial limits we have been studying, Western Christiandom… we can distinguish unmistakably the presence in the world today of at least four other living societies of the same species as ours: an Orthodox Christian Society in South-Eastern Europe and Russia; an Islamic Society with its focus in the arid zone which stretches diagonally across North Africa and the Middle East from the Atlantic to the outer face of the Great Wall of China; a Hindu Society in the tropical sub-continent of India; a Far-Eastern Society in the sub-tropical and temperate regions between the arid zone and the Pacific. On closer inspection we can also discern two sets of what appear to be fossilized relics of similar societies now extinct, namely: one set including the Monophysite Christians of Armenia, Mesopotamia and Abyssinia and the Nestorian Christians of Kurdistan and ex-Nestorians in Malabar, as well as the Jews and Parsees…” Arnold Toynbee, “The Unit of Historical Study” from A Study of History, Oxford University Press, 1947

32 Arnold Toynbee [A Study of History (revised and abridged), Oxford University Press, 1972, pp. 65-69]
“…From AD 135 to AD 1948 there was no such thing as a Jewish state and not even such a thing as a Jewish ‘national home’ in the sense of a territory that was substantially Jewish in population without being under Jewish rule. Yet, without the political framework of a state or the territorial basis of a home, the Jews have managed to preserve their separate identity, as a people, from 586 BC—the year that saw the obliteration of the Kingdom of Judah—down to the present day. They have preserved it as scattered minority (diaspora) living among non-Jewish majorities in countries outside the former frontiers of the extinct Kingdom of Judah and hundred or thousands of miles away from its historic capital, Jerusalem…”

33 Arnold Toynbee [A Study of History (revised and abridged), Oxford University Press, 1972, pp. 65-69]
“This feat is remarkable and exceptional, but it is not unique…If, on these considerations, we take the Jewish diapora as our model for this species of community, we shall find in it the following elements. First, there is the diaspora’s determination to retain its historic identity in circumstances in which most communities have resigned themselves to losing theirs. Having been deprived of its state and its home and been reduced to living as a minority—and a scattered one—abroad, the uprooted community has found new means of maintaining its cohesion and continuity under these adverse conditions. It maintains them now through the voluntary observance of an exacting religious and ritual law. The second element is the diaspora’s motive for being unwilling to merge itself in the majority among whom it has come to live. It cherishes its separate identity because it believes itself to be the depository of a religious revelation of unique significance and value. The third element in the configuration of the Jewish diaspora is its recognition of the truth that it will fail to survive if it does not provide itself with an adequate economic basis…A diaspora must make its fortune out whatever economic occupations the majority leaves open to it…”

34 Arnold Toynbee [A Study of History (revised and abridged), Oxford University Press, 1972, pp. 65-69]
“…In the Jewish model we see Man in the same chapter of his history clinging to some revelation, discovery, achievement, or way of life that he feels to be of supreme significance and value, and therefore exerting himself to preserve the separate identity of the ‘Chosen People” that is the custodian of this pearl of great price. The ‘Chosen People’s’ belief in its national mission gives it the spirit to maintain itself in the diaspora after losing its national state and even its national home—and this in a situation in which the rest of society has resigned itself to the merger of national individualities in the ecumenical unity that is the price of peace.”

35 Johann Gottfried Herder (Part 1) Outlines of a Philosophy of the History of Man English translation by T. Churchill, 1801 “The jews we shall consider here only as parasitical plants, having fixed themselves on almost all the nations of Europe, and sucked more of less of their juices. After the downfall of ancient Rome, there were yet comparatively few of them in Europe; but from the persecution of the arabs they fled thither in great multitudes, and divided themselves nationally. That the leprosy was brought into Europe by them is improbable: but it was a still worse scab, that in all barbarous ages they were the base implements of usury, as bankers, brokers and servants of the empire, and thus hardened the proud barbarian ignorance of the Europeans in trade against their own profit…

36 Johann Gottfried Herder (Part 2) Outlines of a Philosophy of the History of Man English translation by T. Churchill, 1801 “They were often treated with great cruelty; and what they had acquired by avarice and deceit, or by industry, prudence and order, was tyrannically extorted from them: but being accustomed to such treatment, and forced to reckon upon it, they carried their artifice and extortion to greater lengths. Still to many countries they were indispensable at that time, and are even now: it cannot be denied, likewise, that by them Hebrew literature was preserved; by them the sciences acquired from the Arabs, physic and philosophy, were propagated in the dark ages; and much other good was performed, for which no one but a Jew was adapted...”

37 Johann Gottfried Herder (Part 3) Outlines of a Philosophy of the History of Man English translation by T. Churchill, 1801 “A time will come when no person in Europe will inquire whether a man be a Jew or a Christian; as the Jews will equally live according to European laws, and contribute to the welfare of the state. Nothing but a barbarous constitution could have been such an obstacle as to have prevented this, nor rendered their abilities injurious.”


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