Who has influenced Britain the most, the ancient Romans or the modern Americans?

Answer 1

Probably the Romans since much of Roman law still remains in English Law.

The Americans, in terms of their rights, liberties and freedoms; take these from the British and not the other way around, in spite of what you may have heard to the contrary. It all started here in UK with Magna Carta and following the English Civil War, Cromwell's concept of freedom of speech for all. Later we had the Bill of Rights, one hundred years before America had it's Revolutionary War. Oh yes, one more thing, there's the language, it's English.

There is no doubting the influence of Rome upon the British, particularly during the Victorian era. In the 19th century the British began the world's first ever Industrial Revolutions and the nation forged ahead. For the first time since Rome, the British were able to build on what is best described as a Roman scale - redirecting the courses of rivers, drainage of marshland, new roads with Tar Macadam surfaces, canals and then the railways. etc.

Have the Americans influenced the British ever? Yes, and it's not just Rock n Roll, Jazz, Blues, Jeans, Hamburgers and Hotdogs. In recent history in the world of art, I would say that no American ever influenced the British more than the late Andy Worhol - the King of Pop-Art, if not the original creator of it.

Political influence definately - the concept of Camelot and the great work done by JFK and all that followed.

Never under estimate the Americans. For when they say freedom, liberty and democracy, the anti-American cry of Empire builders goes up. This is not so. The Americans choose their own King, the President of the United States, in an election. The British have no choice and are stuck with a Monarchy.

Over the decades we have swapped ideas on just about every subject under the sun and we will continue to do so. The USA is the leader nation of the English Speaking World. There is no escape, even if we are, as Winston Churchill once said, "Two nations separated by a common language."

Just one small point about Roman influence on Britain. Did you know that we still have more miles of Roman Road in Britain today than we do of Motorways? Makes you think. Will we ever match the achievments of the Romans in Britain? Maybe!

Answer 2

Up to say the 70s, I would say that the legacy of the Romans was a big influence on Britain. However, there is now a creeping Americanisation happening here. You only have to see the way the English language is being subverted. For instance: We say "that's all", they say "is all". We say" I couldn't care less", they say:" I could care less ". Which does not make sense; but I hear English people using these phrases. There are lots of other instances. We used to say" I am going to the pictures". Now, almost every one would say "movies". So I can see us being more and more influenced by America, and they are still around, unlike the Romans.

Answer 3

Rome was the greater influence until America came along, but now it is America (which, of course, would not even exist as we know it without Britain!)

There is no calculating the influence of ancient Rome on either Britian, America or the rest of the world, for, without Rome, modern civilization would have taken inimaginably different turns. Most modern western languages are based upon or greatly influenced by Latin.

Also, the Roman imperial civilization when Britain was part of the Roman Empire is still evident in Roman baths and roads, and, at that time, Roman society essentially defined Britain But THAT Britain was destroyed by the Anglo-Saxon invasion.

At that point, Latin died out until brought to churches and monastaries by Church scholars, and became a major component of the English language only through the subsequent Norman conquest. So the Latin influence on British history is tremendous.

BUT-- if you are talking about what's going on right now, I have to choose modern Americans as the greater influence on MODERN Britain. This is not only because of the tremendous impact of movies, television, and the presence of America in British life during and after World War II, but also because the internet, originating primarily in America, has transformed all world cultures in recent decades, and American pop culture has tremendously influenced world culture during roughly the same period. The Beatles and others in turn influenced American pop culture, of course.

Of course, American fast food chains-- McDonald's, etc.,-- have altered the landscape of all nations, and international corporations, the richest and most powerful still being American, dwarf all other economic influences in the western world.

The answer, in short, is that history as we know it would be unimaginable without Rome, the present as we know it would be unimaginable without America, and America as we know it would not have come into existence without Britain..

Answer 4

Ancient Rome it still influences now, language, communications (road network).Those Romans who stayed after the fall of the Empire changed Britain into a nation of traders, creating the British Empire which in turn is partly responsible for the initial creation of the USA

Answer 5

Definitely the Romans. They occupied Britain for hundreds of years, and implanted their culture on Britain. There were no roadways, no baths, no "Roman peace," etc. Christianity came to Britain near the end of Roman rule. Though Britain relapsed into a series of warring tribes after the Romans left, they could not have helped but leave their impression.

Answer 6

The ancient Romans, what exactly have the modern Americans done apart from leading Blair astray.

Answer 7

How much has ancient Roman culture influenced the Americans?
E Pluribus unum - it means 'from many comes one' - the motto of the USA - and it's Latin

Answer 8

Right now, are Vikings and Celts, for sure. vikings: They ruled loong time and its regular invasions brought a lot in thier way of life. Celts: Their influences are visible inclusive in later medieval churchs.

In 100 years, probably USA would change a lot and lead new british way of life. (Just look to Cable TV channels and also to slangs and accent (like USA rappers) in the streets.

Answer 9

The Romans, without a doubt. You can't ignore all that culture!

Answer 10

neither of them. It was the Danes with their rude manners and barbaric custom that influenced Britain most.