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Canada's national identity essay
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The argument: No! We are not anti-American; we have always been nationalists with contradictions throughout. We carry contradictions in us; we can be nationalists and North Americans at the same time. Canadians are sceptical about the United States, yet at the same time we admire, are dependent upon, and want to compete with the Americans. When the United States flexes their muscles, claws at our existence, or when we are sceptical of their policies, we become nationalists seeking to protect our national interest. A Canadian nationalist is someone like Pierre Trudeau and Brian Mulroney, who advances, protects and promotes our national interest by standing up against the Americans. Our relationship is one of cooperation and conflict, imitation and competition, and in constant need of readjustment. Our wish to compete with and need to cooperate is a very Canadian contradiction. Canada between the years of 1868-1993 was shaped by a period contradiction; Canadians during this period were nationalists and contientialists at the same time. The political leaders of the time governed in two separate periods: scepticism and destiny. Pierre Trudeau who governed in a time of scepticism (Liberal prime minster, 1968-1979; 1981-1984) implemented a series of measures to differentiate us from the United States and is most-known for standing up against the Americans. In the Trudeau era, nationalism was everywhere in the media and politics, however, by 1983-1984 Canadians were beginning to say we are too nationalist. From 1983-1984, cooperation between Canada and the United States thrived. In 1984, Trudeau retired and after an election Brian Mulroney (Conservative, 1984-1993) became prime minster. Canada associated Mulroney and his accommodation m...
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...d with cozying up to the Americans took a nationalist stance and promoted Canada’s interests first and foremost. Mulroney, like Trudeau proved to be a nationalists and contientialists rather than anti-Americans. The Canadian public throughout the examples proved not to be anti-Americans. Canadians like the Americans, but are sceptical of them at times. When times get tough, Canadians need the Americans, but too close is suffocating.
Conclusion: When we get too national, we switch from sceptical to the need to cooperate and repair our relationship; when we get too close to the Americans we blame our prime ministers for cozying up when their policies and measures appear pro-American. In saying this, even though we cooperate with the United States, nationalism never really goes away. Canadians are embedded with contradictions, we are nationalists and contientialists.
Multiculturalism policy was first adopted in Canada in 1971, which reaffirms the dignity and value of all its citizens regardless of ethnic origins, race, religious affiliations, or language. Part of this policy, Canada confirms the rights of all the aboriginals along with the recognition of two official languages. Indeed, multiculturalism has great importance since its main purpose is to give equal treatment to all the citizens (Daniel, 2010). It ensures that all individual citizens could still maintain their identities, and have pride with their ancestry. Through this initiative, the Canadian government was able to give their citizens a feeling of self-confidence, making them more open to their diverse cultures. The multiculturalism policy
Nationalism is defined as love of your country. The basis for Canada’s national love of country is focused around three main ideas; devotion, sacrifice and willingness to die. These characteristics are displayed in the play Billy Bishop Goes to War. Thousands of young men were shipped off to war with these three great qualities. Billy Bishop was among those thousands and was an outstanding World War One pilot who displayed the three key qualities that our national love is based upon throughout the play. Being willing to do anything to protect our country and its freedom is nationalism.
“Just watch me.”Joseph Philippe Pierre Yves Elliott Trudeau said in 1970. He meant it as he fought to keep Quebec a part of Canada. Not only did he do that, he managed to be prime minister for 16 years, as well as being Canada’s youngest leader at the time. He brought greater civil rights to Canadians, Quebec citizens mainly. His charismatic personality matched his innovative ideas, that enhanced Canada for the better. For his entire political career, not only did Canada watch him, the whole world watched him change the country for the better. He made a radical change to Canada by championing the idea of officially implementing bilingualism. Trudeau was a trailblazer from the moment he was elected.
An example that significantly proves this was Canada’s contributions in World War I and its aftermath. As a colony of Britain, Canada entered the first World War under the nationalism for Britain and its citizens. Their loyalty and motivation to fight was still tied to their mother country. However, as fights occurred, nationalism for Britain started to transition to nationalism for Canada and Canadians. The Battle of Vimy Ridge was a victory that marked Canadian nationalism. This was a battle where Canadians fought for Canadians and Canadians won for Canadians. Not only did it increase nationalistic feelings with the Canadians, but it also gave recognition of independence for Canada, from the other countries. This triumph and motivated battle showed many countries and nations that Canada was responsible and capable of handling their own. It proved, that with Canadian nationalism and capability, Canada can be an independent nation. Later, after the war, this caused Canada to be able to sign the Treaty of Versailles under Britain’s signature and as well get representative seats for Canada in the Peace Conferences. These events show how sufficient levels of nationalism causes successful turn outs and healthy recognition from other
For nearly two centuries the inhabitants of New France lived their day to day lives
The post-war time was a period where major changes were occurring. After being involved in two international conflicts, Canada was ready to reestablish their economy. During this time, Canada had started working on ways to become stronger and reputable. It is evident that Canada had matured through the post-war era. Canada’s economic progress left a positive impact on the growth of the country as consumerism became popular, and economic ties with America became stronger. Moreover, the removal of racial and ethical barriers contributed to Canadian social affairs such as the huge wave of immigration and the baby boom. The Canadian government also had become more aware and involved in issues impacting Canadian citizens. Canada as a whole started identifying itself as an independent nation and participating in events that brought a positive reputation amongst them. These economical, social, and legal changes helped Canada mature into the country it is today.
... A successful strategy in the accommodation of national minorities within a liberal democracy could be founded upon mutual trust, recognition and sound financial arrangements. However, a certain degree of tension between central and regional institutions may remain as a constant threat in this complex relationship since they entertain opposing aims. The federal governments determination to protect its territorial integrity, and its will to foster a single national identity among its citizens clashes with Quebec’s wish to be recognized as a separate nation and decide upon its political destiny and to foster its distinct identity (Guibernau pg.72). Moreover, if the ROC and the federal government can come to an agreement on terms that satisfy the majority and an identity that encompasses the heart of a country; Canada will continue to exist with or without Quebec.
The Dual Nation Theory took its heading starting in 1960, with the beginning of the sovereignty movement (Gorman, Robert F. 2008. 2018-2020). It truly took off, however, with the Quiet Revolution, where the idea of “maîtres chez nous” and the shift from being a distinct part of Canada to Quebec being a nation in its own right begins to take hold. Québécois nationalism defined Confederation as being an agreement between two peoples: the French and the English. “Quebec constitutes within Canada a distinct society, which includes a French-speaking majority, a unique culture and civil law tradition” (Chotalia, 1993). This is significant to mention because this is the theory that ultimately leads to the Three Nation Theory.
Many Americans are not aware of the political and economic value of the Canada-U.S. relationship, and Canada is consequently not a priority for them.
In order to understand the complexity of the Anti-Americanism, it is important to understand the history and relationship between Canada and the United States. The sentiment was first conceived by the Europeans and the issues it had with the upcoming “rebellious” American culture. Europeans at the time had the tendency to see Americans as, “overconfident and self-important… it was this egocentricity that most aggravated Europeans” (O’Connor, 2004). In its earliest form, the American ideology seemed to be an opponent to the popular European ideology. Which soon became a campaign between “high culture” (the European ideology) and “low culture” (the American culture) and through that rivalry many European citizens held the belief that,
The cold war had great impacts on the bound and tension between Canada and the United States. The Cold War had divided the whole world in to two sides between the Communism side and the United States. Due to the geographic location of Canada sitting beside US, and Canada had already traded some of its sovereignty in a series of political and military pacts with the U.S, therefore Canada took the United States’ side. Canada took the US’s side as a reaction to the international tensions during the post-w...
“ Canada 's national obsession seems to be its own identity.” For many years Canada has feared the increasing influence of its North American neighbors on its culture - the United States . It has become a matter of growing concern for the people of power and influence in Canada to maintain their separate cultural identity and to promote their own cultural norms. Gaetan Tremblay presents his views on this topic and does this from the perspective of a person living and working in Quebec.
Contending loyalties are a problem many people around the world face, whether two nationalist loyalties come into conflict or a nationalist and non-nationalist the consequences can be dire if these contentions are not dealt with. To have a contending loyalty means to be loyal to two things, whether a nation, language, culture or many other thing and have the two come into conflict. When dealing with contending loyalties you have three options. You can choose one loyalty over the other, ignore the problem or find a way to include and accommodate both. Generally most people seek to accommodate both so that they can still have more than one aspect of their identity. Many Canadians face contending loyalties, especially aboriginal peoples and immigrants.
The culture of Canada refers to the shared values, attitudes, standards, and beliefs that are a representative of Canada and Canadians throughout Canada's history, its culture has been influenced by American culture because of a shared language, proximity, television and migration between the two countries. Overtime, Canadian-American relations have helped develop Canada’s identity during the years 1945-1982; thus introducing changing social norms , media and entertainment. In support of this, due to the United States being approximately 9.25 times larger in population and having the dominant cultural and economic influence it played a vital role in establishing Canada’s identity. With Canada being its neighbour, naturally, the United States would influence their way of life upon Canada. In other words,
In addition, to supporting the linguistic duality and multicultural and multiracial nature of Canadian society, and recognizing the special place of aboriginal peoples' within our society.Therefore, nationalism was pretty effectively promoted through the Canadian Broadcasting Company, it garnered a sense of belonging throughout the citizens.