Enduring Issue Essay Outline Introduction ● Identify the Enduring Issue ● Define the Enduring Issue ● In general, how has it changed or continued over time? "We ardently wish to free Italy from foreign rule. We agree that we must put aside all petty
differences in order to gain this most important goal. We wish to drive out the foreigners not
only because we want to see our country powerful and glorious, but also because we want to
elevate the Italian people in intelligence and moral development."
— Count Camillo di Cavour, 1852
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The document below is an excerpt from the constitution from the organization called Unification
or Death and also known as the Black Hand, which was a Serbian nationalist group that existed
in the early 20th century.
Article 1. For the purpose of realising the national ideals - the Unification of Serbdom - an
organization is hereby created, whose members may be any Serbian irrespective of sex,
religion, place of birth, as well as anybody else who will sincerely serve this idea.
Article 2. The organisation gives priority to the revolutionary struggle rather than relies on
cultural striving, therefore its institution is an absolutely secret one for wider circles.
Article 4. In order to carry into effect its task the organization will do the following things:
(1) Following the character of its raison d'être [reason for existing] it will exercise its influence
over all the official factors in Serbia...
(2) It will carry out a revolutionary organisation in all the territories where Serbians are living:
(3) Beyond the frontiers, it will fight with all means against all enemies of this idea:
(4) It will maintain friendly relations with all the States, nations, organisations, and individual
persons who sympathise with Serbia and the Serbian race:
(5) It will give every assistance to those nations and organisations who are fighting for their
own national liberation and unification.
Article 34. The Organisation's official seal is thus composed: In the centre of the seal there is
a powerful arm holding in its hand an unfurled flag on which - as a coat of arms - there is a
skull with crossed bones; by the side of the flag, a knife, a bomb and a phial [vial] of poison.
Around, in a circle, there is the following inscription, reading from left to right: "Unification or
Death", and in the base: "The Supreme Central Directorate".
Article 35. On entering into the organisation the joining member must pronounce the following
oath of allegiance:
"I (the Christian name and surname of the joining member), by entering into the organisation
"Unification or Death", do hereby swear by the Sun which shineth upon me, by the Earth
which feedeth me, by God, by the blood of my forefathers, by my honour and by my life, that
from this moment onward and until my death, I shall faithfully serve the task of this
organisation and that I shall at all times be prepared to bear for it any sacrifice. I further swear
by God, by my honour and by my life, that I shall unconditionally carry into effect all its orders
and commands. I further swear by my God, by my honour and by my life, that I shall keep
within myself all the secrets of this organisation and carry them with me into my grave. May
God and my comrades in this organisation be my judges if at any time I should wittingly fail or
break this oath!"
Done at Belgrade this 9th day of May, 1911 A.D.
Source: Constitution of Unification or Death, 1911.
Jomo Kenyatta, a leader of the independence movement in Kenya, the country’s Prime Minister
in 1963, and its first President in 1964, gave the following speech at a Kenya African Union
Meeting in Nyeri, Kenya on July 26, 1952. The Kenya African Union was the political party led
by Kenyatta, and it was in power in the country from 40 years after independence.
…If we unite now, each and every one of us, and each tribe to another, we will cause the
implementation in this country of that which the European calls democracy. True democracy
has no colour distinction. It does not choose between black and white. We are here in this
tremendous gathering under the K.A.U. [Kenya African Union] flag to find which road leads us
from darkness into democracy. In order to find it we Africans must first achieve the right to
elect our own representatives. That is surely the first principle of democracy. We are the only
race in Kenya which does not elect its own representatives in the Legislature and we are
going to set about to rectify this situation. We feel we are dominated by a handful of others
who refuse to be just. God said this is our land. Land in which we are to flourish as a people.
We are not worried that other races are here with us in our country, but we insist that we are
the leaders here, and what we want we insist we get. We want our cattle to get fat on our land
so that our children grow up in prosperity; we do not want that fat removed to feed others. He
who has ears should now hear that K.A.U. claims this land as its own gift from God and I wish
those who are black, white or brown at this meeting to know this. K.A.U. speaks in
daylight…We want to prosper as a nation, and as a nation we demand equality, that is equal
pay for equal work. Whether it is a chief, headman or labourer he needs in these days
increased salary. He needs a salary that compares with a salary of a European who does
equal work. We will never get our freedom unless we succeed in this issue. We do not want
equal pay for equal work tomorrow-we want it right now. Those who profess to be just must
realize that this is the foundation of justice. It has never been known in history that a country
prospers without equality. We despise bribery and corruption, those two words that the
European repeatedly refers to. Bribery and corruption is prevalent in this country, but I am not
surprised. As long as a people are held down, corruption is sure to rise and the only answer to
this is a policy of equality. If we work together as one, we must succeed.
Source: Jomo Kenyatta: The Kenya Africa Union Is Not the Mau Mau, 1952.
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The day he was released from jail, Nelson Mandela made the following speech in Cape Town,
South Africa on February 11, 1990. The transcript of that speech appeared in the New York
Times the next day.
...On this day of my release, I extend my sincere and warmest gratitude to the millions of my
compatriots and those in every corner of the globe who have campaigned tirelessly for my
release.
I extend special greetings to the people of Cape Town, the city which has been my home for
three decades. Your mass marches and other forms of struggle have served as a constant
source of strength to all political prisoners.
I salute the African National Congress. It has fulfilled our every expectation in its role as
leader of the great march to freedom….I salute the rank-and-file members of the A.N.C. You
have sacrificed life and limb in the pursuit of the noble cause of our struggle.
Leader's Salutations
I salute combatants of Umkonto We Sizwe [Spear of the Nation], like Solomon Malhangu and
Ashley Kriel, who have paid the ultimate price for the freedom of all South Africans….
I also salute the Black Sash and the National Union of South African Students. We note with
pride that you have acted as the conscience of white South Africans…
Need for Armed Struggle
...Today the majority of South Africans, black and white, recognize that apartheid has no
future. It has to be ended by our own decisive mass actions in order to build peace and
security. The mass campaigns of defiance and other actions of our organizations and people
can only culminate in the establishment of democracy.
The apartheid destruction on our subcontinent is incalculable. The fabric of family life of
millions of my people has been shattered. Millions are homeless and unemployed….
Universal suffrage on a common voters roll in a united democratic and nonracial South Africa
is the only way to peace and racial harmony.
In conclusion, I wish to go to my own words during my trial in 1964. They are as true today as
they were then. I wrote: I have fought against white domination, and I have fought against
black domination. I have cherished the idea of a democratic and free society in which all
persons live together in harmony and with equal opportunities.
It is an ideal which I hope to live for and to achieve. But if needs be, it is an ideal for which I
am prepared to die. [The following portion was delivered in Xhosa. The translation was
provided by Mbulelo Mzamane, a professor of Comparative Literature at the University of
Georgia.] My friends, I have no words of eloquence to offer today except to say that the
remaining days of my life are in your hands. [He continued in English.] I hope you will
disperse with discipline. And not a single one of you should do anything which will make other
people to say that we can't control our own people.
Source: Nelson Mandela, SOUTH AFRICA'S NEW ERA; Transcript of Mandela's Speech at Cape Town City Hall:
'Africa It Is Ours!, New York Times published February 12, 1990.
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Catalonia is a region of northeastern Spain, whose capital and largest city is Barcelona. The
people in Catalonia speak Catalan as well as Spanish and have a culture and history that is
distinct from other parts of the country. Catalonia is an autonomous community of Spain,
which means that it is a part of the country of Spain but has the right to self-government in
most of its affairs.
On October 1, 2017, Catalans who support separation voted to secede from Spain. Many who
opposed separation did not participate in the vote. The Spanish government declared the vote
illegal and sent riot police to the region to stop it. Violence broke out between police and
protestors which led to hundreds of injuries. Catalonian leaders were forced to leave Spain or
face arrest. On October 1, 2018, Catalan separatists again took to the streets in protest. In
2018 according to a National Public Radio report, Catalonia’s President Quim Torra stated,
“The First of October is and will always be the day the Catalan people demonstrated their
immense commitment to democracy and freedom . . . A year ago, the Spanish state
repressed such a basic right as the right to self-determination and also freedom of
expression.” He added, “The October 1 vote is the seed of the republic."
Photo of a clash between protestors and police during the Catalan independence referendum on October 1, 2017
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Enduring Issue: Nationalism
Definition: Nationalism is the belief in the superiority and importance of one's own nation or ethnic group, leading to the desire for independence or self-determination.
Changes over time: Throughout history, nationalism has manifested in various forms, from movements for unification, like in Italy in the 19th century, to calls for independence, as seen in Kenya and South Africa in the 20th century, and in Catalonia in the 21st century.
Thesis statement: Nationalism has been a driving force for change and conflict in different parts of the world, leading to struggles for independence, democracy, and self-determination.
Body Paragraphs:
1. Italian Unification
- In the mid-19th century, Italian nationalist leaders like Count Camillo di Cavour worked towards the unification of Italy.
- The goal was to drive out foreign rulers and elevate the Italian people in intelligence and moral development.
- The formation of nationalist organizations and secret societies, like the Black Hand in Serbia, further illustrates the power of nationalism in unifying people towards a common goal.
2. Kenyan Independence Movement
- Jomo Kenyatta's speech in 1952 reflects the Kenyan people's desire for democracy, equal rights, and self-determination.
- The Kenya African Union (K.A.U.) fought for the right to elect representatives and equal pay for equal work, highlighting the impact of nationalism in the struggle for liberation.
- The call for unity among different tribes and the rejection of colonial dominance show the unifying power of nationalism in the fight for freedom.
3. South African Liberation
- Nelson Mandela's speech upon his release from prison in 1990 emphasizes the need for mass actions to end apartheid and build a democratic, nonracial South Africa.
- The African National Congress (A.N.C.) and other organizations played a crucial role in the fight against oppression, demonstrating the strength of nationalism in uniting people towards a common cause.
- Mandela's vision of a democratic and free society where all individuals have equal opportunities reflects the enduring nature of nationalism in the pursuit of justice and equality.
4. Catalonia Independence Movement
- The recent independence movement in Catalonia highlights the continuing relevance of nationalism in challenging existing political structures.
- The 2017 referendum and subsequent protests underscore the region's desire for self-determination and autonomy.
- The conflict between Catalans seeking independence and the Spanish government resisting separatism showcases the ongoing tension and complexities of nationalist movements in contemporary society.
Conclusion:
By examining the historical context of nationalism in Italy, Kenya, South Africa, and Catalonia, it is evident that the enduring issue of nationalism has driven significant social, political, and cultural change over time. From movements for unification and independence to struggles for democracy and equal rights, nationalism continues to shape the aspirations and actions of individuals and communities seeking to assert their identity and secure their freedom. As seen in these examples, the power of nationalism lies in its ability to unite people towards a common goal, inspiring collective action and resistance against oppressive forces. Ultimately, the impact of nationalism on society remains a complex and evolving phenomenon that continues to influence the course of history and the struggle for self-determination.