¶ … minimum sources... research 1920 sport write ... A thesis, attention catcher, topic sentence? Nationalism: What were its effects in the 20th century?

Nationalism is characterized by a belief in the uniqueness and integrity of one's nation and culture. It is a form of 'national pride,' which, if taken to an extreme, can result in the sentiment that one's own nation is 'better' than other nations. Over the course of the 19th century, a number of the relatively loose confederacies of states in Italy and Prussia were consolidated to become distinct, unified nations. "Nationalism taught that people were defined by their membership in a nation and that nation deserved their loyalty" (Shubert & Goldstein 2012: 1.3). Nationalism did not replace the old ties to religion, clans, and professions that had existed previously, rather it intensified them. During World War I, nationalism was a critical component in how Germany enforced authority over nations under its control, such as demanding all classes...

As a result, Germans suffered from hyperinflation and the crippling war reparations demanded by the Allies. Germans began to feel anger and rage against the European powers that had taken away what they saw as their rightful, powerful place in Europe. By ignoring the dictates of Versailles and re-arming Germany, Adolph Hitler's National Socialists gained support and political prominence. The nationalism of the Axis powers of Germany, Italy and Japan were characterized by a strong sense of superiority over other peoples in a racially-coded manner. Hitler viewed his conquest over Europe as 'liberation' of Aryan peoples, and a reflection of his determination to exterminate so-called inferior races. Expansionist, aggressive policies over 'inferior' persons were also characteristic of Mussolini's Italy and Tojo's Japan. Nationalism was used to justify militarization…