Why UK people are so anti-American, if USA took Hitler off their back. Some gratitude I think...?

Question

did the russians get to UK, or where fighting in anothr place?
if i help you once, do i have to hepl you always.?
What has UK done for americans? Go to iran? Ask Blair

I live in Europe, and see and feel anti American feeling. not now with Bush, always. i wouldnt help an european for a penny

Answer 1

You phrased the question poorly: British anti-Americanism has nothing to do with World War II. Whatever favors were done then have all been left in the past. (Lend-Lease, by the way, was the lifeline that truly kept Britain in the fight, and gave the USSR a big hand as well -- Americans were in the war long before they were "in" the war. And there were quite a few Americans who joined the RAF in 1939-40. It's easy to forget that, and so many other details.)

This question is bound to bring out all the knee-jerk reactionists who will deny, deny, deny that there's a truly anti-American feeling in Britain.

Unfortunately, denying it doesn't make it false. The prejudice against America does exist, and runs fairly deeply.

The anti-US prejudice will almost always be phrased as being against the policy, or the current president, or the war -- but make no mistake, it's always going to be something about us they despise. Because the underlying negativity is still there, under the surface.

In Britain the "tall poppy" syndrome is sadly predominant -- you see it in the tabloids especially, where some successful or famous person is just cut to pieces over and over again. It's a sickness, this bitterness towards success. The British have never risen above class prejudice, and apparently cannot get over hating their "betters".

As one example, ask a British soldier what he thinks of his officers -- the sheer hatred he feels is remarkable, and based on nothing but class jealousy. I had a British private brag to me once that he'd shoot his officer if he could get away with it. His mates all nodded. This was an officer I knew as a good man. Then the squaddies said they'd shoot ALL officers if they could. One isolated case? I'm not conviced it was. Class divisions are very pronounced in the British military.

I love British history, but I think Britain's glory days are very much over. And they know it, and are rather resentful over it. Just like the grumpy old spinster aunt who never has anything nice to say, they're slowly creaking along in their wheelchair, pushed by a nice young caretaker from India or Pakistan or some other former colony, who is very soon going to inherit everything they have. (And turn the country Muslim. Now isn't that a nice thought? Colonized by the colonies...)

I always enjoyed visiting Britain but I never mistook the politeness for anything but what it was, superficial. Taken as individuals, they are like anyone else: great when you get to know a person. Yet as a nation, the British are miserable with themselves at home, beset by economic woes, and bitter over their country's decline on the world stage.

Remember: the British undertook to fight the Iraq war with us not so much because they believed in the cause, but because Mr. Blair felt it was the only way Britain could maintain a level of influence over US policy. Given the failure of that strategy, they're pulling out to focus on Afghanistan.

Which is better, I suppose, than simply doing as Spain and apparently Italy are determined to do: just give up and go home for good. We'll see how long Britain lasts until their imam-loving leftist lobby gets its way and they pull out of Afghan as well...

Answer 2

Another amateur historian. By the time the US came to be involved in WW2 the Germans has already attacked Russia. That is were they had concentrated their most elite units and armour (over 3 million troops). Hitler had given up on invading Britain as soon as his troops crossed into Russia. By then the British with the help of commenwealth pilots and excellent polish and Czech pilots had fought of the Luftwaffe and won the battle of Britain. That effectively ended the major threat to ritain. Left alone the Russians would probably have destroyed Germany on their own. The US and Britain were anxious to get into Europe purely to ensure that the whole of Europe didn't fall into Russian hands.

Just because the USA fought alongside Britain over 50 years ago, it doesn't mean that British people are stupid enough not to see through the lies about the Iraq war, the fact that the US is fighting to protect its dollar and the British are certainly not believing the tripe being spewed out about Iran to allow for an invasion to stop them selling their oil in Euros!!!

Answer 3

Getting to Fight along side many Proud Members of the Queens Armed services I hear only praise for America from these great souls. Perhaps if you get your opinion from YA you only deal with fools and the misguided. Islamists living in the UK saying they are English! they would love to make divisions among friends and Allies. Perhaps you need to take a trip there and find the truth I will venture to guess you will be welcomed and have a great time.

Answer 4

America helped Britain in WW2 intially for there own benefit (Britain was paying war debt for decades) and then because germany declared war on america, nor did america give much help during the battle of britton after which the threat of invasion subsided. Also after america won its independence British investment in america was instrimentall in the american economy for many years so you could be gratefull for that.
america constantly portrays its self as the best country in the world, simply because it is the richest, america would not sign up to the kyoto agreement, refused to reduce farm subsidies to help the developing world (this caused the doha talks to brake down) won't sign up not to use cluster bombs and generally appears to be very arrogant and ignorant of the rest of the world

Answer 5

So the USA won World War 2 did they? Go back to history lessons, and while you're there, look up a little known country called Russia who had a slight involvement in the war effort.

If I join a boxing match in the 12th round after Lennox Lewis has beaten Mike Tyson to a pulp and then swing the final blow that knocks him out, that doesnt actually mean I beat Mike Tyson. That just means that I let someone else do the majority of the work at the start and then provided the finishing touches at the end.

Think about that.

Answer 6

Maybe they are sick of Americans telling us how we should be grateful that the Japanese bombed you so you FINALLY entered the war after millions of Jews had been exterminated and millions of soldiers and bi-partisans died while America watched and became rich.Europe citizens lived and died all through the war standing up to the ultimate evil Hitler so thank-you Britain and all their allies for doing the right thing and thanks for America for joining in when you didn't have a choice and dragging us into an immoral war against Iraq..

Answer 7

It is not just the Americans - the British do not seem to like anybody.

Answer 8

The English, and a good portion of the world for that matter like Americans. It's our government and its foreign policy that they hate.

Answer 9

They helped out 4 years !after the original request. then attempted to take the glory for themselves. PLUS I think the deaths of 20 MILLION Russians had something to do with it ,get your facts right please.

Answer 10

I don't see too much anti Americanism.
I see anti Bushism.
If I were British I would be torqued that British soldiers were sent to IRAQ to fight a war that ONLY AN IDIOT would deny was predicated on a LIE.