Chauvinism

Chauvinism is extreme and unreasoning partisanship on behalf of a group to which one belongs, especially when the partisanship includes malice and hatred towards a rival group. The term is derived from Nicolas Chauvin, a soldier under Napoleon Bonaparte, due to his fanatical zeal for his Emperor.

Related Topics:
Nicolas Chauvin - Napoleon Bonaparte - Emperor

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The origin and early usage indicate that it was coined to describe excessive nationalism or patriotism. An equivalent English term is jingoism. These days, however, chauvinism is most often used to refer to purported racism or sexism.

Related Topics:
Nationalism - Patriotism - Jingoism - Racism - Sexism

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The term entered public use due to a satirical treatment of Chauvin in the French play La Cocarde Tricolore (The Three-colored Cockade).

Related Topics:
Satirical - French - Play - Cockade

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