Monuments and Morals: The Nationalization of Civic Instruction

Abstract

Modern nations emerged in the West in the late eighteenth century as the power of religious authority declined. Benedict Anderson has explained well how these nations created new visions of human destiny that were pointed more in the direction of happiness on earth than in eternal salvation in heaven. The power of God on earth and of kings gave way to rising expectations of human happiness in the here and now. As subjects became citizens, the source of moral authority changed as well. Human nature and individual happiness were now recognized as rationales for judging what was right and proper to a greater extent. This did not mean that calls were no longer made for individuals to sacrifice their self-interest or submit to higher authority. For now people also talked increasingly about what was good for the nation or for society. The nationalist revolutions in eighteenth-century America and France brought about the promise of citizen rights but they also would encourage calls for patriotic service and sacrifice for the public good. These new nations faced the task of trying to reconcile dreams that were both personal and national.