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The Politics of Remembrance in Irish and Quebec Nationalism

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  02 August 2005

Garth Stevenson
Affiliation:
Brock University

Abstract

Abstract. This article describes how the remembrance of historical events contributes to, and is shaped by, nationalism in Ireland and Quebec. Remembered historical events contribute to the growth of nationalism if they serve at least one of five purposes: defining the conceptual boundaries of the nation, reinforcing a sense of pride in the nation's achievements, evoking feelings of pity and indignation at the losses suffered by the nation, legitimizing the actions or principles of present-day leaders, or inspiring a belief that the nation will eventually triumph. Eight remembered events, four in Ireland and four in Quebec, are discussed in relation to these five purposes. The article concludes that historical remembrance has been a more powerful influence on nationalism in Ireland than in Quebec.

Résumé. Cet article raconte comment le souvenir des évenements historiques contribue au renforcement du nationalisme en Irlande et au Québec. Le souvenir d'un évenement historique aura cet effet s'il aide … definir la communauté nationale,s'il stimule des sentiments de la pitié et de l'indignation envers la nation et ses tribulations, s'il légitime les actions et les idées des nationalistes actuels, ou s'il encourage l'esperance que la nation va triompher contre ses adversaires. L'article examine quatre evenements historiques, irlandais ou québécois, avec le but de déterminer s'ils contribuent … ces cinq objectifs. Selon sa conclusion, l'influence des souvenirs historiques a été plus puissante en Irlande q'au Québec, ce qui explique la plus grande intensité du nationalisme irlandais.

Type
Research Article
Copyright
© 2004 Cambridge University Press

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