question_answer

?The first clear expression of nationalism came with the Trench Revolution? in 1789. ?Examine the statement.

Or

Examine the reasons that forced America to withdraw from the Vietnam war.

Answer:

It is true that ?the first clear expression of nationalism came with the ?French revolution? in 1789??.

(i) Till 1789, France was full-fledged territorial state under the rule of absolute monarch. The political and constitutional changes that came in the wake of the French evolution led to the transfer of sovereignty from that monarchy to the body of French citizen.

(ii) The revolution proclaimed that it was the people who would henceforth constitute the nation and shape its destiny. From the beginning, the French revolutionaries introduced various measures and practices that could create a sense of collective identity, and a feeling of nationalism among the French people. The community was enjoying equal rights under the constitution.

(iii) A new French flag, the tri colour, was chosen to replace the former royal standard. The Estates General was deleted by the body of active citizens and renamed it as National Assembly. New hymns were composed, oaths were taken and martyrs were commemorated, all in the name of nation.

(iv) Regional dialects were discouraged and French, as it was spoken and written in Paris, became the common language of the nation. The revolutionaries further declared that they would help other people of Europe to become free nations. When the news of the events of France reached the different cities of Europe, students and other members of educated middle classes began setting up Jacobin Clubs. Their activities and campaigns prepared the way for the French armies which moved into Holland, Belgium, Switzerland and much of Italy in 1790s. Thus, with the outbreak of revolutionary wars, the nationalism spread in complete Europe.

Or

Reasons of withdrawal of armed forces from the Vietnam War (The USA War in Vietnam 1967 January 1974):

(i) The phase of struggle with US was brutal as it widely used chemical weapons-Napalm, Agent orange and phosphorus bombs. Besides soldiers a large number of civilians died in this war.

(ii) The US media and films played a major role in both supporting as well as criticising the war.

(iii) Hollywood made films in support of the war. Such as, John wayne?s Green Berets (1968). Writers such as Mary MC earthy and actors like Jane Fonda even visited North Vietnam and praised their heroic defence of the country.

(iv) The prolongation of the war created strong reactions, even with in the U.S. It was clear that the US had failed to achieve its main objective i.e. the Vietnamese resistance had not been crushed, the support of the Vietnamese people for the US action had not been won.

(v) The US war in Vietnam was the most unpopular in history. It was condemned by the people all over the world including the United States. Vietnam soon emerged as a united country. The defeat of the greatest military power in the world by the people of a very small country in Asia was an event of great significance in the history of the contemporary world.