Why does France hate America so much? Why is Britain closer to the United States than most European countries?

Question

There seems to be alot of Americans living in Britain and alot of British living in the States. Do we see a renewed bond between the United States and England? It would almost seems as if the United States was still part of England.

Answer 1

Well, our culture is most derivative of Britain's. We adopted their common law wholesale, for example, and their language. We weren't a Commonwealth country, but that is sort of just the way it worked out. We have ties, for certain.

Great Britain and France are allies now, but historically they were enemies and rivals for a long LONG time. I don't know if we just inherited that mantle as well, or if the abrasion between the French (or Parisians) and us is born of other things. Clearly the French are highly offended by McDonalds in France, and growth of the use of the English language, however I think most of us just find that amusing.

I think we don't consider them as true to their obligations as an ally as we consider Great Britain to be, and we reciprocate. However, again, while the British don't all like us either, we have a lot in common in how we look at the world. This probably makes our relationship easier on many levels.

However, I think Germany would be a closer ally as well, if it weren't now most focused on integrating into the EU.

Answer 2

Britain and America have both had stable histories (compared to the wars and revolutions on the continent), and the common language has made Britain the most obvious European country for Americans to visit or move to, and vice versa.

France doesn't 'hate' America. Chirac doesn't hate America - he lived there in the '50s and had a serious American girlfriend. The French can be sniffy about American food and culture but they take that tone with many countries. France deplores what America has been doing in the world in the past five years, no less than British people do, only France's government is in sync with its people and Britain's is not.

The historic bonds between Britain and America are not getting stronger. A poll after the 2004 election showed most British people respected Americans less for re-electing GW Bush. And while Britain may be closer to the US than Europe on some issues, it is closer to the rest of Europe than America on things like the role of the state (eg: in proving health care), social issues like gay rights, etc.

Answer 3

I suspect that part of the relationship, in the case of both France and Britain, concerns a balance of power situation within the Western nations themselves.

Part of the situation, as already mentioned, might be one of nationalist egos clashing (e.g. between France and the United States).

Part of the renewed closeness of the British could have something to do with the influence of the English-speaking mass media of the United States, in particular the television and film industry.

I suspect that France maybe dislikes and disapproves of the widespread American way of getting ahead through Freemasonry and theft, although the problem definitely would exist in France as well. A more instinctive cultural abhorrence of the practice and related mentality may exist. I am not sure. I know, however, that the United States never has had a mass immigration wave of French the way it has experienced immigration from many other countries. A good reason must exist. France has a very different mentality from that of the United States. Even within Canada, the French/francophone politicians seem to find it very difficult to connect with the American politicians, George W. Bush as well as others. It may have kept Canada out of Iraq. It might have something to do with the Catholic mentality, but many French, as well as many British, are not really active in organized religion. I do not know. I would like to know more on it.

Answer 4

France doesn't seem to like England too much either - so don't worry too much.

As for Britain being closer to the United States, its because of the government and Blair just going along with Bush's ideas and doing whatever he says.

Answer 5

It is all to do with history. Do u mean in the UK
England is just one part of the island. I for one
have no problems with you yanks I work for an American Company and I have served along side your forces in different parts of the word. I will never forget those American soldiers who fell during WW2 so that I and my fellow countrymen could live freely. Yes we r as one the only real difference between us is that we can laugh at ourselves and not take life too seriously till we have to.

Answer 6

I don't know the answer to your question BUT please stop saying Britain IS england,,,,england is JUST a PART of Britain

Answer 7

because sees the madness in 21. century wars
englands tony blair does not
birds of one feather.....

Answer 8

Hate part not exactly true ... ego clash ...?

2nd part is called **** licking ,,, and it's tickling too !

Answer 9

Hey, you spelled it right this time congrats.