Is a national spirit, the love of a country, and the emotional ties to the interests of a nation and the symbols that represent it. The United States, rather than having a national educational system, has 50 state school systems that work together and use similar methods. Nationalism began to be established in the 19th century.
Its effects on education were studied by Isaac Kandel and Edward Reisner, who identified three primary themes reflected in the curriculum. The first is that all nations have a history. The combination of the nation’s history and myths creates a nation’s collective memory. The collective memory evokes the same response throughout the nation’s public. For example, when the national anthem is played in the United States, the response evoked is almost universally that of profound respect, indicated by standing, removing one’s hat, and placing the right hand over the heart.
The second theme is helping people recognize that they are unique individuals, different from others within the nation. Teaching each that his or her voice counts and demonstrating this within the political system is evidence of nationalism.
Finally, nationalism maintains a theme of space and time. Nationalism allows people to identify with a particular territory that has borders, a name, a capital, and a relatively common culture in most instances. In America, this theme is demonstrated in many of our patriotic songs, including “America the Beautiful” and “This Land Is Your Land.” Demonstrating their nationalism, Americans rally to defend the themes in these lyrics.
Nationalism is reflected in education as the nation looks to pass on the cultural heritage, to develop patriotism and loyalty to a nation. It also teaches and instills the common etiquette required at national ceremonies and creates a collective consciousness and awareness toward the nation as a whole. Furthermore, national identity is constructed when a common language is adopted, and patriotism is demonstrated.