Anti-American sentiment in Germany

Demonstrators set an American flag in flames during a protest against the Pershing II deployment in Germany, 1982.

Anti-American sentiment in Germany is the dislike of the American government or people^[1] present in Germany. Anti-Americanism has been present in Germany throughout history with several notable incidents. Anti-Americanism was advanced by local leaders under the influence of the former Soviet Union, during the Cold War in East Germany, with dissenters being punished. In West Germany, this sentiment was generally limited to left wing politicians.^[2]

Scholars such as Noam Chomsky and Nancy Snow have argued that the application of the term "anti-American" to the population of other countries does not make any sense, as it implies that not liking the American government or its policies is socially undesirable or even comparable to a crime.^[3]^[4] In this regard, the term has been likened to the propagandistic usage of the term "anti-Sovietism" in the USSR.^[3]

History

During 1820-40 era, hostility toward America stemmed from its perceived cultural inferiority.^[5] Between 1820 and 1870, more than seven and a half million German immigrants came to the United States, buying farms or taking industrial jobs. Few returned to their homeland.^[6]

World Wars

Germany and the United States were at war 1917-1918 and 1941-1945.

Postwar

In the postwar era from 1945-1970, Americanisation was part of the process of becoming a Western European, and anti-American sentiment was weak.^{[citation needed]} However in the late 1960s, West Germany's youth contrasted the images of Woodstock—which they liked—and the Vietnam War—which they hated. Young rebels turned to violence to destroy the foundations of a society that backed American cultural imperialism. Anti-Americanism reappeared among some intellectuals after the attacks on 11 September 2001 because of the perceived links between globalisation, Americanisation, and terrorism.^[7]

After World War II, Germany was split into two parts, East Germany and West Germany. In socialist East Germany, anti-Americanism was official government policy. Anti-Americanism was strong among left wingers. Some right wingers saw the United States as a protector against communism, while others saw the American way of life as uncultured.^[8]

Iraq War of 2003

The War in Iraq in 2003 was highly unpopular at all levels of German society.^[9] Chancellor Gerhard Schröder stated that Germany would refuse to provide troops or money for the Invasion of Iraq.^[10]^[11]

Donald Trump

With the election of Donald Trump, there have been renewed fears among American think-tanks about the rise of anti-American sentiment in Germany.^[12] Donald Trump, the grandson of a German immigrant, has been noted for his euroscepticism,^[13] while Germany is one of the most Pro-EU countries in the world. In 2017, German magazine Stern published a cover depicting Donald Trump performing the Nazi salute, with the inscription Sein Kampf, in reference to Mein Kampf.^[14] Germans have generally been more negative about their relations with the United States than most other European countries.^[15] Trump was routinely criticised by German politicians, such as Chancellor Angela Merkel.^[16]

References

^ Chiozza, Giacomo (2009). Anti-Americanism and the World Order. Baltimore, Maryland: The Johns Hopkins University Press.
^ Dan Diner, America in the eyes of the Germans: an essay on anti-Americanism (1996).
^ ^a ^b Chomsky, Noam (1993). "Totalitarian Culture in a Free Society". Internet Archive. Retrieved 27 January 2021.
^ Snow, Nancy (2006). The Arrogance of American Power: What U.S. Leaders Are Doing Wrong and Why It's Our Duty to Dissent. Lanham, MD: Rowman & Littlefield. pp. 27ff. ISBN 0-7425-5373-6. OCLC 69992247.
^ Gerrit-Jan Berendse, "German anti-Americanism in context." Journal of European Studies 33.3-4 (2003): 333-350.
^ Guido A. Dobbert, "German-Americans between New and Old Fatherland, 1870–1914". American Quarterly 19 (1967): 663–680 online.
^ Berendse, "German anti-Americanism in context." Journal of European Studies 33.3-4 (2003): 333-350.
^ "Ami Go Home". The Economist. 5 February 2015. Retrieved 6 December 2021.
^ Tuomas Forsberg, "German foreign policy and the war on Iraq: Anti-Americanism, pacifism or emancipation?." Security Dialogue 36.2 (2005): 213-231.
^ Hooper, John (6 August 2002). "German leader says no to Iraq war". The Guardian.
^ Tuomas Forsberg (2005). "German foreign policy and the war on Iraq: Anti-Americanism, pacifism or emancipation?". Security Dialogue. 36 (2): 213–231. doi:10.1177/0967010605054649.
^ Erlanger, Steven (11 October 2017). "German Foreign Policy Experts Warn Against Anti-Americanism". The New York Times. Retrieved 6 December 2021.
^ Kleefeld, Eric (18 August 2016). "Why is Donald Trump calling himself "Mr. Brexit"?". The New Republic. Retrieved 6 December 2021.
^ "'Sein Kampf': German magazine Stern's controversial cover". Toronto Sun. Associated Press. 25 August 2017. Retrieved 6 December 2021.
^ "America's Global Image". pewresearch.org. 23 June 2015. Retrieved 6 December 2021.
^ "Merkel criticizes Trump attacks on congresswomen". politico.eu. 19 July 2019. Retrieved 14 December 2022.