“Nationalism” is a circa 1957 Encyclopedia Brittanica educational film. We are told at mark 01:15 that since 1946, every new nation in Southeast Asia has annually celebrated its day of independence, such as the Philippines, India, Pakistan, Burma, Ceylon, Indonesia, Vietnam, and Malaya, as the countries are highlighted on a map. The narrator defines nationalism (mark 02:07) as the belief of a people that they ought to be unified into an independent nation. “A homeland.” We learn of the control over Asian nations by European forces in the 19th century, known as colonialism, which forced residents to become second-class citizens. Utilizing the region for its natural resources and strategic benefits, colonial leaders also imported their own leadership and legal systems — often restricting natives’ rights (mark 05:04). The narrator explains, however, that the European leaders also benefited the colonies through improved medical facilities and education. At mark 06:00 we learn how Southeast Asian nations, having fought in World War II and seen what independence as a nation has to offer, began to resist the notion of any outside control. Burmese nationalists are shown squabbling with British forces at mark 06:25, eventually leading to independence in that nation. Similar events are shown playing out in Indonesia (mark 06:40), although Communism also took control in some regions such as Vietnam (mark 07:30), leading to the creation of North and South Vietnam, in addition to the creation of Laos and Cambodia. Some countries, such as Malaya, welcomed back their British leaders (mark 09:12), mainly due to the three racial groups in the country (Malays, Chinese, and Indians) mistrusting each other and their power. In 1957, the country was granted independence as elections are shown at mark 09:30. The film also tells the viewer of leadership in other nations such as the Philippines, Thailand, India, and Pakistan. At mark 13:25, we are told how the Soviet Union has tried to ally itself with Southeast Asia countries other than North Vietnam, as Soviet Premier Nikita Khrushchev is shown. To benefit itself as nations, we are told at mark 15:28 of the creation of the Southeast Asia Treaty Organization (SEATO) an international organization for collective defense in Southeast Asia in 1954. “Southeast Asia is in a revolt against the long heritage of incredible poverty, of obsolete economic, political, and social institutions, and of Western domination,” the narrator concludes.
We encourage viewers to add comments and, especially, to provide additional information about our videos by adding a comment! See something interesting? Tell people what it is and what they can see by writing something for example: “01:00:12:00 — President Roosevelt is seen meeting with Winston Churchill at the Quebec Conference.”
This film is part of the Periscope Film LLC archive, one of the largest historic military, transportation, and aviation stock footage collections in the USA. Entirely film backed, this material is available for licensing in 24p HD, 2k and 4k. For more information visit http://www.PeriscopeFilm.com
