Nations, States, and Nationalism

Nation: A group of people who share common origins, customs, culture, history, and (frequently) a language. ¹ One often refers to the nation with which they identify as their nationality. The idea of nationality ² is related to the idea of an ethnicity or ethnic group, and sometimes these terms are used interchangeably.

Members of multiple nations lived in the Ottoman Empire, including Turks, Kurds, Arabs, Greeks, Serbs, Bulgarians, Armenians, and more.

Discussion Questions:

Do you identify with any particular nations or nationalities? If so, what makes you feel most connected to them?

State: A territory considered as an organized political community under one government. ³   States have their own laws, institutions (i.e. agencies that implement laws and regulations), and permanent territorial boundaries. ⁴

States include most of the countries defined on world maps today. Some states include one or more nations among their populations. In history, the Roman, Austro-Hungarian, and Ottoman empires were examples of multinational states (states that include people of multiple nations). At the same time, the members of one nation might be spread throughout more than one state. ⁵

Discussion Questions: 

1. According to this definition of state, in which state do you live?  
2. What are some nations or nationalities that are represented within the state where you live?
3. What are some examples of nations or nationalities that are spread throughout multiple states in the world?

Nation-state: A state comprising or dominated by a single nation. ⁶

In the nineteenth century, many of the nations that lived within the Ottoman Empire fought wars of independence against the sultan and established their own nation-states. Greece, Serbia, and Montenegro are examples of nation-states that were established by former subject nations of the empire. When these nation-states were established in the Balkan Peninsula, the new Christian-dominated governments expelled members of other, mostly Muslim, nations, most of whom were forced to migrate to the Ottoman Empire.

Discussion Questions:

1. Should every national group have the right to form its own country?
2. What problems might be resolved? What new challenges would you anticipate?

Nationalism:

1. Devotion to the interests or culture of one’s nation.
2. The belief that nations will benefit from acting independently rather than collectively, emphasizing national rather than international goals.
3. Aspirations for national independence in a country under foreign domination.

Nationalism was a characteristic of most, if not all, of the nations that lived within the Ottoman Empire in the nineteenth century, but nationalism was expressed differently by different nations. Throughout the century, nations of the Balkan Peninsula (such as Greeks, Serbians, and Montenegrins) were not only devoted to their own interests and culture but also aspired to escape the domination of the sultan and establish their own independent nation-states. While Armenians felt a devotion to their own nation, most wanted to have equal rights within the Ottoman Empire rather than their own independent nation-state. Turks, who dominated the Ottoman government, were alarmed by the empire’s loss of power and territory in the Balkans. While attempting to reverse the empire’s fortunes, they debated with each other whether they should provide more equality to all of the nations under the empire’s rule or increase their own nation’s power at the expense of other nations.

Discussion Question: 

Why do you think some people view nationalism as a positive ideal, while others believe it is dangerous?

• 1Multiple sources.
• 2"Nationality." American Heritage Dictionary. 5th ed. Accessed May 19, 2025. )
• 3"State." New Oxford American Dictionary. Accessed via macOS Dictionary app, May 19, 2025.
• 4"What is the difference between a nation and a state?" Encyclopædia Britannica. Accessed May 19, 2025.
• 5"What is the difference between a nation and a state?" Encyclopædia Britannica. Accessed May 19, 2025.
• 6"What is the difference between a nation and a state?" Encyclopædia Britannica. Accessed May 19, 2025.