Reasons for Anti-Americanism in Old Europe

[Worthingtons]

We all the Middle East hates america, and while most of it comes down the fact they are poor and America is rich, it can also be said they do have a fair few valid moans at America, or perhaps more so it's foriegn policy. However, surely Americans should be asking themselves why Europeans hate them so much?

France and Germany seem to hate America, the people this is , not just the politicians. America has helped save both countries from a tyrant several decades ago, and has contributed much in trade too, yet they are hated. The only reason i can think of for old europe's hatred is pure jealousy, the land of the free has advanced far past France, and even germany in the last century. Perhaps tho it could even be resentment, France lost face in WW2 when they had to be saved by England and the good American's, and Germany we're eventually humiliated as a Nation.

So, old Europeans, do you have any real reasons why you and you're fellow citizens should hate the great US?!? , I for one, would like to be enlightened.

[Boris Godunov]

Where on Earth do you get the idea that Germans, as a people, tend to hate America, as a people? I have never heard of such a thing. Every German I've ever met has been extremely friendly towards Americans, and all of the Germans on this board (as well as French) don't express contempt for American people at all.

Remember that disagreeing with our policies doesn't equate to hatred for our people.

I'd wager you will find far more affection amongst Germans for Americans than you will find affection for the Germans amongst Americans.

[Worthingtons]

There's plenty of Germans who are considerable Anti-american. I live with a French with a German unfortunatly, they both hate America (and Britain too even tho they do study here). The French guy was pleased after september 11 (a sickening opinion) , but the reasons he gave for his anti-americanism were things like 'America keeps interfearing with everyone's business - they getting what's coming to them' , however the definition of everyone happened to be limited to the Middle East to which he had no connections. puzzling.

[Urban Ranger]

I agree with Boris. Most people who are anti-US are against the government and/or its policies, not against the US people.

[notyoueither]

It is interesting. especially interesting when you throw in the opinions of some more radical Americans who hate their own government at least as vehemently as vehement non Americans.

I'm not sure where it comes from, even after discussing and arguing for some time. I am familiar with what they site, just not why they see the world tilted so far that way. I do think (or hope) that in Europe and the US those views are outside of the mainstream. At least that is the case in Canada, I believe.

[Felch]

Originally posted by Rothy
The French guy was pleased after september 11 (a sickening opinion) , but the reasons he gave for his anti-americanism were things like 'America keeps interfearing with everyone's business - they getting what's coming to them' , however the definition of everyone happened to be limited to the Middle East to which he had no connections. puzzling.

When the former subjects of the French Empire start crashing jets into French landmarks, remember to shove his words back down his throat.

Even today French forces are in Côte d'Ivoire (sp?), and by all accounts they aren't welcomed by either side in the conflict.

[Drake Tungsten]

I'm not sure where it comes from, even after discussing and arguing for some time.

I always thought it was a result of studipidity, but I could be wrong.

[HershOstropoler]

Very few people here hate "America".

Many, including me, and including many Americans, hate the right wing extremists that have now gained a very strong influence in US politics.

If it's jelousy, I always wonder what I'm supposed to be jealous about.

[notyoueither]

Power?

[notyoueither]

Just guessing.

[HershOstropoler]

Which power?

[Harovan]

Hatred to Bush and his clique of ultra right wing *******s and murderers? Hell yes!

Hatred to Americans as a people? Hell no! I have a lot of friends among them, among both supporters and opposers of the current slaughter in Iraq. And I can perfectly talk with both, if it doesn't come to foreign policy, which subject I, of course, avoid. If you asked me 2 years ago, I was a strong supporter of the United States. The Bush regime succeeded to kill this sympathy and generate a feeling of opposition in just 2 years.

And notyoueither: If we were jealous of American power, how comes we don't strive to get par and limit ourselves to self defense (which is, of course, a lot cheaper too)?

[ravagon]

Originally posted by Rothy
..., but the reasons he gave for his anti-americanism were things like 'America keeps interfearing with everyone's business - they getting what's coming to them' , ...

In the last century America learned the hard way what happens when they don't "interfere" in other peoples business. They learned that nobody else will and that eventually they have to clean things up. Why not stop things before they get out of hand?

[Kropotkin]

The americos missunderstands this in the same way as they missunderstand the muslim world: They don't hate americans. they hate the politics of the american government. Is that so hard to understand?

[HershOstropoler]

"In the last century America learned the hard way what happens when they don't "interfere" in other peoples business."

And they should also have learned what happens when you interfere and **** up.