Social Causes of the Revolution describes the build up of demographic and economic pressures on different social classes in pre-revolutionary France. This chapter discusses social change experienced by the rising middle class (bourgeoisie), guild members, workers, and peasants, and the dissemination of radical ideas by the intellectuals which all led to the outbreak of violence against the privileged nobility and clergy in 1789. The site covers a range of topics on the French Revolution, and features a large collection of primary source documents, including songs, memoir accounts, and visual images of the period. (
http://chnm.gmu.edu/revolution/chap1a.html
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Companion to the PBS documentary series on Napoleon, this site presents a history of Napoleon and his era that includes a discussion forum offering alternative views on Napoleon's legacy, an extensive bibliography and links to other Napoleon sites, an interactive battle simulator, as well as video clips from a PBS film that dramatize the battles of Lodi, Austerlitz, and Waterloo. (
http://www.pbs.org/empires/napoleon/flash/fl_home.html
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This section of The Napoleonic Experience looks at domestic policy, foreign policy and war, as well as Napoleon's legacy in an effort to balance various assessments of this legendary figure. Primary source documents, including maps, illustrations, contemporary cartoons, personal accounts, and the Marseillaise enliven the presentation. (
http://chnm.gmu.edu/revolution/chap9a.html#
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This evaluation of Napoleon's leadership and achievements argues that Napoleon should be judged by the standards of the day and measured against the actions of his contemporaries rather than by contemporary expectations. Imposing today's values on the actions of figures from time past is called "ahistoricism." (
http://www.napoleon-series.org/faq/c_leader.html
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In this Observer article, Alex Duval Smith explores the issues of racism, secularism, female subjugation, and integration of immigrants into French society that surrounded the 2004 headscarf ban. Debates between feminist activists, French conservatives, Muslim targets of the legislation, politicians and religious leaders highlight the differing approaches that have been used to define the concept and rights of nations. (
http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2004/feb/01/france.schoolsworldwide
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In his 1904 Address to the Empire Club of Canada, the poet William Wilfred Campbell describes imperialism as a progressive, civilizing force, and Canada's adherence to British causes and institutions as the single means to the development of a true nationalism that would protect against Americanization. His speech is a good example of the arguments used by monarchists in early 20th Canada to define Canadian nationalism through linkage with British traditions. (
http://www.empireclubfoundation.com/details.asp?SpeechID=2582&FT=yes
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Reaction to Britain's demand that Canada support it's efforts in the Boer War in 1902 are viewed by many historians as a defining event in the development of Canadian nationalism. The government ultimately supported pro-British Canadians' call to send troops to South Africa against the objections of French Canadians such as Henri Bourassa who viewed this as a British Imperialist war that Canada had no place in. In this article, Carmen Miller argues that rather than cementing Canadian loyalty to Britain, the Canadians' experience of war worked to create a sense of distinctness. (
http://www.defence.gov.au/army/ahu/books_articles/ConferencePapers/The_Boer_War_Miller.htm
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This site provides an outline and photographs which document the history of the building of the Canadian Pacific Railway. The narrative tone calls to mind one of Canada's more prominent national myths - that construction of the railway was actually an exercise in forging the 'national dream.' (
http://www.thecanadianencyclopedia.com/customcode/Media.cfm?CFID=70816&CFTOKEN=28 512484...
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E. Pauline Johnson, or Tekahionwake which means "double life," was born of mixed Mohawk and English parents. Her poetry, recitals, and dramatic approach to her dual cultural identity are presented in archival materials collected on this McMaster University website. (
http://www.humanities.mcmaster.ca/~pjohnson/home.html
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Published by the Gabriel Dumont Institute of Native Studies, this article examines the roots of Métis identity and Métis self-identification throughout history. The author also discusses the relationship between the struggle for self-governing institutions and efforts to foster a stronger identity for the Métis people. (
http://www.metismuseum.ca/media/document.php/00726.pdf
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