[Olorin]

There is no definitive answer about what causes Anti-Americanism, but this could serve as a short summary.

After the Mexican-American War, Latin America changed their opinion of the United States from a revolutionary nation worthy of emulation, a nation that cast off the bounds of colonialism, to an aggressive colonial power in its own right. This increased with the Spanish American War. America occupied both Cuba and the Philippines, which only increased the distrust of many nations in the western hemisphere towards the United States. However, these examples deal mainly with the New World and do not address the current situation.

Europe is a different matter. In WWI, the Allied powers were willing to accept US troops but unwilling to accept the United States as a full and equal partner in the peace process. In some ways, this is understandable as the United States suffered only a fraction of the casualties as compared to England or France. At this time Europe still liked the United States as long as we came to their aid militarily, loaned them money to rebuild their economies, and had little say in the shaping of the post war world.

Next came WWII. This is when the problems started. After the war, the great powers of Britain, France, Japan, and Germany were dependant on the United States to defend them against the Soviet Union and again loan money to rebuild. This was a big hit to their pride. They were supposed to be the major powers and now some upstart had replaced them, and made them second rate powers. In the post war years, American influence increased economically and socially. Western Europe did not like it but were willing to accept it as long as the Soviets had 60 armored divisions stationed on their borders.

After 1991 and the fall of the Soviet Union the threat of Soviet invasion was gone. Western and Central Europe no longer needed the United States to defend them and were more free the vent frustrations that had been building since the end of WWII. We can see this in the attempt to form a European Union as a counter balance to the United States, as well as other efforts to re-concentrate power in Europe.

Many will say that American military action and arrogance has caused Anti-Americanism but when one looks at how the US has handled hegemony (1991 to present) as compared to European Hegemony (1800? to 1939?) the differences are telling. When Europe was all-powerful, they colonized almost every square mile of the earth. Asia, Europe, and Africa, all were colonized and made to support the imperialistic goals of their mother countries. In contract, the United States uses trade, treaties, and at times military action to support its interests.

In short, the United States has replaced Europe as the global power, and they resent it. They believe that their culture is superior and cannot reconcile the rise of American power with their own ethnocentrism.

There is no definitive answer about what causes Anti-Americanism, but this could serve as a short summary…(Part 2)

The next part of European Anti-Americanism is cultural. European culture is rich in history and tradition. Many Europeans resent the influence of Anglo-American culture into there societies. What is more infuriating to many Europeans is how their fellow countrymen embrace this foreign influence, while at the same time abhorring its source. If Europeans did not want McDonald’s, Hollywood, and American Music, it would wither and die but it survives and thrives. To many ethnocentric Europeans, American pop-culture is destroying their national culture and identity. They cannot stop it so they attack its source. It is like an alcoholic who loves and hates booze. They want to stop, but end up secretly drinking…and crying…in the middle of the night.

[WildFire]

I didn't say that you couldn't state your opinion. I simply said that I'd prefer if you didn't because it's embarrassing to the USA.

I didn't say that you did say that. I was conveying that I wouldn't shut up, and giving a reason why ^^

Yes, you *can*. But should you, if your entire line is that they simply annoy you?

I guess not. There's more to my argument than that, so I dont see how this is valid o_O. If you re-read my posts I give reasons why they're bothersome. You're simply summing it up as if I gave no other point than "I hate protestors because they annoy me".

Uh, no. The reason I told you to stop is not because it annoys me, although it does. The reason I told you to stop is that your inane take on the issue can only serve to make Americans look petty, egocentrical, and vindictive. It's an image thing.

Well, that's your opinion. I didn't once state anything eluding to America being better than anyone else. If you got that, you mis-interpreted. Everyone has their own opinions about things, so, anti-american sentiments can be as well grounded as you want them to me, but it wont make a difference, thats all I'm saying. I dont know how you got my arguments as petty or vindictive. Egocentrical, yeah, I'll give you that. But anyone stupid enough to believe that what I say, stands for all Americans, is an idiot anyway lol.

[McDojo Artist]

Originally Posted by PoleFighter

Third, what the fuck is europe bringing to the table culture wise these days? Ever watch TV in France, the bastion of old european culture? It's far, far worse than anything from america. And don't blame america for what the population in your country likes. Calling them impressionable and brain washed is just a cop-out.

Fourth, only uneducated people piss on american culture, which has produced some of the greatest music, litterature and cinema I've had the pleasure listen to, read and watch.

Fifth. I've met a lot of cool americans and wouldn't dream of bad mouthing their entire country. I have problems with some of the politics of the current administration, and find a lot of things in america to be ridiculous, yes, but I can say the same thing for my own country.

Get educated, man.

I couldn´t care less about the other parts of Europe´s culture though.Swedish culture were stolen from us by the christians,nowadays every old custom either forgotten or perverted. About American culture producing great music and books, I do not like a single american band except Deicide and them I only kinda like, the american classics I´ve been forced to read in my english classes did not appeal to me either.
My impression of the political situation in USA is that they´ve had Bush-alikes for presidents a long time but Bush is just more open with what he do

[Omar]

Originally Posted by Olorinii

There is no definitive answer about what causes Anti-Americanism, but this could serve as a short summary. ....[blah blah blah...]

...In short, the United States has replaced Europe as the global power, and they resent it. They believe that their culture is superior and cannot reconcile the rise of American power with their own ethnocentrism.

Bullshit.

There was no big worldwide anti-American sentiment untill Bush implemented his "I am the big dog and fuck you" foreign policy. Europe liked us. China liked us. Most of the world liked us. We had "moral authority".

Of course there have always been pockets of the world which viewed us with fear, suspicion and other stuff much justrified and much not. But overall we had a damn good rep untill just about 5 or 6 years ago.

[Hannibal]

Olorini. Well put man. Well put.

I for one may kid around with our alley America, but as an Australian I stand by the Americans 100% for the job they are doing. Lets face facts. Americans get things done. Everyone else sits on their ass and talkes about it while the yanks ( I use that in the nicest possible way) are out there doing it and started yesterday.

Americans play a pretty straight game. Now although they are the new world super power I would rather support them than any other alternative. Who else can you trust ? The Russians ? The Chinese ? The Koreans ?countries in the middles east ? No way I would want any of those nations to have super power status. Is there anyone else ? Oh yes The UN...shit. All those guys wanna do is get together and have one big committee that never ends. Apart from talking and jerking each other off Mr Anan and the rest of his degenerates produce nothing. Rather their solutions come too little too late.

Look what happened in Kosovo. People being killed in the name of 'ethnic cleansing'. The rest of the world sits back on its ass and does sweet nothing. When the Americans move to take some proactive measures an restore sanity they get nothing but criticism. That is hardly fair.

[Omar]

Originally Posted by Feryk

Can you imagine what China would do with an economy the size of the US? A military that was a technologically advanced?

I can't. But over the next couple of decades we'll all find out together.

..and Light's Out brought it up too.

China as a the next Superpower will be cool. Actually even a lot of the American thinktanks have written of China's essentially non-colonial tendencies. You coudl probably expect to see them use their muscle to re-claim Taiwan and that's about it. Also, you could probably expect their human rights record to improve considerably. China has historically treated their people better in direct proportion to the amount of political "saftey" they felt. In peacefull times with economic prosperity they have tended to loosen up and treat everyone better. As they get more pressure form the outside they "lock down" the country.

Nixon had it right. So did Clinton. It may rub a lot of people the wrong way as a lot of people feel that we need to "show them who's boss" and somehow bully them into submission. But it's just an ego trip. Like the current hysteria to get the Chinese to de-attatch the value of the Yuan from the dollar. Which, incidentally, is done largely though the Chinese purchase of massive amounts of US Bonds. Our economy is intimately entwined with them. The fact is they are our number 2 trading partner in the world after Canada. They passed Mexico just a couple years ago. Japan is even farther back. The basic Chinese sentiment towards America is extremely positive. Most people remember our alliance in WWII against the Japanese much more clearly than the far more minor (compared to WWII) events in Korea and Viet Nam. It has only been since Bush's new policies that Chiense folks started giving us the vil eye.

In Korea, their goals are currently pretty much the same as ours and they have been a stabilizing force there in contrast with Bush's war-mongering rhetoric.

Their international policy is distinctly benign.

Fear of their growing economic power is a mystery to me.

[xodus2]

I agree with a lot of what Omar has said here. I really think Americans were regarded very positively globally up until the foreign policies of the current administration started to take effect.

I've had New York work colleagues visiting london tell me 'I'm so embarrassed by our current government, please don't judge me on that. The amount of international bad will they've managed to generate in such a short space of time is mind boggling.'

The thing that really surprises me, is the amount of bad will directed towards france from the US. France were never going to back the war, they and the other countries who didn't back the war had a lot to lose in trade agreements by doing so. The countries that did back it, had a lot to gain, its that simple. But France itself is historically so important to the US. If it weren't for the threat that france posed, the british would never have withdrawn and given independence to the US. Its amazing how quickly badwill can replace centuries of goodwill.

[danno]

Originally Posted by afronaut

You mean your teenagers aren't going for depressing movies, sacchrine pop music, rancid food

well, that's a sweeping generalisation if i ever heard one.

are you also saying that america doesn't produce depressing movies, saccharine pop music and rancid food? can you give me a SINGLE country which doesn't produce any of this?

Originally Posted by Lights Out

I mean it, would take about the 10 or more most powerful armies, second to USA, just to equalize USA military power.

is this very accurate? i thought it would have taken 2, 3 or 4... but ten? that is a helluva lot.

Originally Posted by PoleFighter

america is much more culturally diverse than any single country in Europe

oh really? do you have any evidence that makes this comment sound any less rediculous?

Originally Posted by PoleFighter

Third, what the fuck is europe bringing to the table culture wise these days? Ever watch TV in France, the bastion of old european culture? It's far, far worse than anything from america.

what planet are you living on?

Originally Posted by PoleFighter

Fourth, only uneducated people piss on american culture

my experience tells me the opposite.

Originally Posted by PoleFighter

I abhor generalisations though

do you abhor your own?

Originally Posted by Olorinii

There is no definitive answer about what causes Anti-Americanism, but this could serve as a short summary.

i prefer this one:

http://anti-american-sentiment.encyc.dyndns.dk/

Originally Posted by Olorinii

In short, the United States has replaced Europe as the global power, and they resent it. They believe that their culture is superior and cannot reconcile the rise of American power with their own ethnocentrism.

britain was the global power, and passed the torch to america without bloodshed, which is very rare in history.

europeans have been a bit annoyed here and there with americans, but they always appreciated the help the US gave. in australia, people who weren't that keen on americans had more of a half-hearted, humourous dislike of them. for example, when american soldiers visited australia on ships during wartime, they had a lot of sex with the aussie girls (as any decent sailor would). so there was this saying people would deliver with a smile on their face - "the yanks are over paid, over sexed and over here". but as you might be able to tell, it wasn't "hate", it never was. in general, the public happily ate up everything american that came over here, and they still do.

aussies have also had a more cynical view of the british - we were merely an extension of the british for a while, but as we began to find our own identity, i suppose we wanted to say "we want to grow up,we are our own country now". still, it was NEVER hate. just look at the tens of thousands of australians who visit england each year. we even have australian pubs over there for australians, there are so many visitors.

Originally Posted by Omar

There was no big worldwide anti-American sentiment untill Bush implemented his "I am the big dog and fuck you" foreign policy. Europe liked us. China liked us. Most of the world liked us. We had "moral authority".

Of course there have always been pockets of the world which viewed us with fear, suspicion and other stuff much justrified and much not. But overall we had a damn good rep untill just about 5 or 6 years ago.

imo, omar is closer to being right. america had the world in the palm of its hand after 9/11, it had complete sympathy from everyone except those who truly, truly hated them.

at the time, i thought it was fine for america to go into iraq - i actually wanted them to. as time passed, and more things came to light, i decided it WASN'T fine. this was when i really started hating bush.

now, on the topic of the influence of american commercial pop culture on other countries - which is sometimes referred to as cocacolonisation (after coca cola). it is actually a pretty big thing. there are many places, aus one of them, which has been heavily influenced culturally by the US in the last few years. people get upset about it because they feel that their own culture is being replaced by someone elses - which is this sort of homogenised american pop culture. this includes things like food as well. there are places (including australia) where obesity is rising very quickly because more people are eating american fast food such as mcdonalds. now this can't be blamed on american citizens - but that doesn't stop people from being mad at them for it.

it wouldn't matter if, say, french culture was spreading like crazy all over the world, people would still be unhappy about it.

i tried to explain this in another thread, but it came out more like "america is teh gh3y f4g N00b"

i heard from some expert that as well as china, india also will be a world power in 40 odd years.

[danno]

what does everyone think of the comic darth ronin posted on the first page of the thread?

[garbanzo]

Originally Posted by McDojo Artist

I couldn´t care less about the other parts of Europe´s culture though.Swedish culture were stolen from us by the christians,nowadays every old custom either forgotten or perverted.

Let's see, the era of the Vikings, which only lasted a few centuries, ended in the 11th Century and Olof Skotkonung became Sweden's first Christian king at around the same time.

McDojo Artist is mourning the decline of a culture that hasn't existed for 1000 years.

You can eat herring till the cows come home, but that will not undo the past.

Rather like an Englishman trying to reverse the results of the Battle of Hastings by speaking Anglo-Saxon.

It's over. It's been over for a millenium. Deal with it.

Now put on your Kangol, unlace your Air Jordans, kick back with a sloe gin fizz and a pack of Kools, and groove on some Charlie Parker, daddy-o.