Nationalism can be defined as the policy or doctrine of asserting the interests of one's own nation viewed as separate from the interests of other nations or the common interest of all nations (dictionary.com). More simply nationalism can be defined as ones love for their own country and the belief that their country is of primary importance. This political term was first used in 1789 by Augustin Barruel, a French priest and was then recognized in the mid-nineteenth century as a political ideology or movement. This idea is based around two assumptions; one) that humankind is naturally divided into distinct nations and two) that the nation is a political community in the sense that it is the most suitable or legitimate unit of political rule (Heywood p.198). Nationalism has been closely associated with the belief in national self-determination based on the idea that all nations are equal. Within this essay I will demonstrate how in order to fully understand nationalism, one must understand the main themes and points that represent the idea as a whole.
Before the French revolution France was divided into many different regions and religions, and the only think that could link the nation together was the belief of serving the king. However some individuals no longer saw themselves as subject to serve this king instead they referred to themselves as citizens who served their nation with pride. This sense of belonging within their national was the establishment of this political ideology. Nationalism was therefore considered a revolutionary and democratic creed, suggesting that those who followed the king should be considered citizens of France (Heywood p.169). After that, nationalism ideals spread to Latin America where Simon Boliviar led revolutions against Spanish rule into other Latin American countries. These situations made nationalism develop into the most successful political creed, essentially reshaping the history.