Initially, in ancient times, the term "people" meant people related to each other by kinship - close or distant. Subsequently, with the emergence of states, this definition became broader.
How nations arose
People are the inhabitants of a state or some territory who have a common language, culture, similar religious and moral-ethical views. A number of factors, including historical ones, play an important role in the formation of the people. Therefore, any people can be called a historical community.
In an era when the transition from a clan community to a neighboring community had already been completed, but the beginnings of statehood were just beginning to emerge, most people lived by subsistence farming. That is, everything necessary for life was obtained and produced by the efforts of one family, and if necessary, goods were exchanged with other families living in the neighborhood. However, over time, the need arose for a regular exchange of goods, not only with the closest neighbors, but also with people living in more distant places. And this required a common language (to understand each other), common laws and regulations, security and order. Commodity-market relations also contributed to mutual understanding, the formation of common interests, values, and mentality. So gradually peoples began to take shape from communities of different tribes.
What historical factors contribute to the development and cohesion of peoples
There are many historical reasons that lead to the growth of national identity, and as a result, to the formation and strengthening of the people. One of the most significant is the reflection of an external threat. For example, in the history of the ancient Romans, the 2nd Punic War with their main rival, Carthage, played a huge role. After the crushing defeat at Cannes (216 BC), Rome was on the verge of destruction. However, the Romans did not lose heart and did not ask for peace. On the contrary, this grievous failure brought them together and sparked an outburst of patriotism. And as a result, they won the war.
A similar situation was in France during the Hundred Years War (1337-1453), or in Russia during the Time of Troubles (early 17th century). After overcoming these difficult tests, the process of the final formation of the French and Russian peoples accelerated.
A significant role can be played by the so-called "passionate idea" that has taken possession of the broad masses of the people, that is, general enthusiasm, an impulse that has a religious, political, economic or other basis. For example, for the Arab people, such an idea was the establishment of Islam as the dominant religion in the 7th century, for the people of the United States - the struggle for independence from Great Britain (the end of the 18th century), and for many peoples of the former Russian Empire - the building of a new society after the October coup in 1917. …
