“Nationalism was the most important ideological trend in the Americas between 1865 and 1929.” Discuss with reference to two countries of the Americas.

Candidates will offer a considered and balanced review of the suggestion that nationalism was the most important ideological trend of the given period. Discussion is required for two countries of the Americas. While ideological trends other than nationalism may be advanced as having substantial importance, the role of nationalism must be addressed. Nationalism as an important factor may be developed as a cause for entrance into wars (for example, the US in the Spanish American War and Canada in the First World War), and emerging national identity was a strong force in many nations. Besides nationalism, candidates may focus on various factors, including the role of Social Darwinism and Manifest Destiny (mostly in the US and Canada), liberalism in the form of the progressive movement, positivism as an effect on the cientificos in respect to Latin America, and indigenismo as a form of nationalism.