Can somebody explain the 'special relationship' the UK has with the USA?

Question

Most US presidents hurry to establish Irish connections as soon as they are elected. At the hight of 'the Troubles' the IRA were receiving financial support from USA Catholics.
The surnames Reagan and Kennedy are indisbutably of Irish origin. Eisenhower would seem to be of German origin and Roosveldt Dutch. Why does the UK think they have a special relationship?
The fledgling USA fought, and won, a war of independance against Great Britain. They won the right to 'go it alone'. So why don't they? As for World War II, the USA profited from arms trade with Germany and only came in after Pearl Harbour.

Well said, Alberto - the USA sold arms to Krupps, the largest arms dealers in Germany DURINGWorld War II, when the USA was still 'neutral'.

DesignSTE: You obviously only read the first part of my question, which was deliberately neutral. Had you read on you would have realised (not realized) that I am a Brit who is appalled at the UK government running whenever the USA government calls them.
It didn't start with Bush/Blair. Reagan launched his air attack on Libya from the UK without asking Thatcher. And I still don't know why the UK and Australia got involved in Korea. (Yet another military disaster which is still causing problems over 50 years on.)

Answer 1

There is no "special relationship" that is only a phrase coined by Prime Ministers who have not got the bottle to stand up for this country,the nearest thing we ever got to a "special relationship" was when Argentina invaded the Falkland Islands and Reagan "told" Thatcher not to retaliate,Maggie told him where to go,he then "asked"her not to retaliate,again Maggie said no,Reagan then sent James Baker over the pond to "have a word with her"he told Maggie the USA would not allow UK forces to us the US airbase on Ascension Island until Maggie pointed out that the Island was a British Island,sent home with a flea in his ear America had no option but to back off,they then went on to supply us with the weapons we needed,so for the yanks to save some face,they spoke of the "special relationship" dont believe a bit of it.Some people say it goes back to wwll,dont believe that either,Roosevelt treated Churchill with contempt behind closed doors,abit like the way Bush treats YO-BLAIR.

Answer 2

I don't think the Americans sold arms to Germany before WW2 did they? As for the Irish thing, that's just securing the Irish vote so its domestic politics (why do you think America supports Israel all the time ?).

Sharing a language & largely sharing a view of the way the world should be, has led to the illusion of a special relationship. Britain should move closer to Europe instead. That doesn't fill me with enthusiasm, but I don't think this Special Relationship does us any favours.

Answer 3

You're an American who has never lived with the Brits if you really believe there is any positive good will towards the USA from them.

Two days after 9/11, "BBC issued an unprecedented public apology yesterday after BBC1 screened a live edition of Question Time shortly after the attacks on New York, during which members of the audience expressed violent anti-American views."
http://www.guardian.co.uk/wtccrash/story/0,,552742,00.html

Answer 4

The special relationship is that we are allies for purposes of trade and international policies. England can agree with the US to lower prices on commodities in exchange for US support of a British policy. The same is true of the US. As for fighting a war of independance against Britain... so what? As far as 2 presidents out of 30+ presidents having Irish last names, so what? As far as USA Catholics supporting the IRA, so what? In this globalized economy of our, nations need to be friends and have special relationships with other nations for the purposes of trade and the success of the market economy. Duh.

Answer 5

I think I can help you here. Well what happen was George W started dating Tony Blair when Tony went to America to study politics. The relationship had it's ups and down and when they "graduuatedded" as George would put, they broke up. Tony was heart broken so he returned to London to fulfil his dreams in politics, George stayed, got high and partied. When Tony became the British PM, George heard and asked daddy to use his connection to get Tony jealous. He did, they got back together and had loads of babies and the rest is history.

Next week I tell you about Saddam the room mate who eat George's sandwich

Answer 6

Its actual a remember of federal regulation that we are no longer a Christian u . s .. In 1797, we signed a treaty with the state of Tripoli. Article XI of it reported: "simply by fact the government of the rustic isn't, in any experience, based on the Christian faith; because it has in itself no character of enmity against the regulations, faith, or tranquility, of Mussulmen; and, simply by fact the reported States by no ability entered into any conflict, or act of hostility against any Mahometan u . s ., this is asserted via the events, that no pretext bobbing up from non secular evaluations, shall ever produce an interruption of the cohesion latest between the two international places." Now Constitutional regulation states that any treaty this is signed and ratified via the President (with consent of the Senate) turns into nationwide regulation. as quickly as this became finished via President Adams, it grew to alter into respectable that we weren't a Christian u . s .. And extra of course, yet actual much less legally, there is the 1st modification which publicizes a Freedom of religion. in opposition to that, besides the indisputable fact that, seventy six% of people are Christians and our regulations, like that of all Western international places, stems from undemanding Roman regulation and Judeo-Christian ethics. The commandments that don't contain God are customarily encoded in our regulations. Now, ethically, there's a 0.33 concern. If the commandments that don't cope with God are interior the regulations of the land, does that no longer advise that each thing you prefer is in there and make what would be a christian u . s . in accordance to Jesus? Jesus' theory interior the branch of Church and State [Matthew 22:21] require the Christian to stay in God. It does no longer require the state to. besides the indisputable fact that, with the commandments that result on a regular basis existence exterior of God, you may stay in God with out breaking the regulation. further, if we've been a Christian u . s . a) Which sect? b) What would take place to the 24% of the rustic who isn't? would they'd desire to transform like the Inquisition? would they'd desire to depart the rustic? Or, would they'd desire to smash the 9th Commandment and "undergo fake witness" claiming that they are? [Exodus 20:sixteen] Governments are instituted between men to guard the rights of existence, liberty and the pursuit of happiness. The hereafter is a private determination between you and your God.

Answer 7

The Speical relationship basically means the President pissing over British (and European) heritage, culture, values and tradition, of which America has none.

Answer 8

It basically involves Britain or Tony Blair specifically doing whatever Bush wants because he thinks it makes him more powerful. In fact, Blair has no influence over the US whatsoever.

Answer 9

The relationship consists of them (USA) telling us (UK) to jump and us asking where the nearest tall building is. They use us for their own hypocritical gain and purposes. At last I understand why they are the most hated nation on earth.

Answer 10

I always think it's worth working together and not alone. We all make mistakes and we can all support each other. Strength and wisdom in numbers.