The idea to write about the development of anti-American resentment in Germany derived mainly from the growing negative attitudes toward the USA that emerged in Germany during the years of the George W. Bush administration and the war in Iraq. It seems that never before had there been an American president that caused so much criticism and opposition among politicians and the public in Germany. The widespread antipathy seems unprecedented in history so far and the politicial discrepancies and disputes put the longstanding partnership to the test. Although anti-American resentment is not a specific German phenomenon the recent tensions in Germany have been particularly strong and were displayed more obvious compared to other European countries. One important reason for this is certainly the historical connection between the two countries. Germany lost two wars against America and was occupied by U.S. military forces for about forty years. This has fundamentally shaped German opinions and attitudes.
Generally, it can be stated that Germany and the United States are bound together culturally, historically, politically and economically in many ways. About 46 million Americans claim a German ancestry and about 16 million American soldiers who have lived in Germany since the end of the Second World War have profoundly influenced German society. Today, the USA is the most important trading partner of Germany outside the European Union and American companies are the second largest investors in Germany. The official relationship between the two is described by the German government as “bound by a robust friendship founded on shared experience, values and interests” (Auswärtiges Amt: March 2008).
As the relationship of the two countries has thus always been of great importance on many levels and will continue to play a decisive role in the future, it is crucial to examine this development of the past and present anti-American resentment among Germans in more detail. This way, predictions for the future relationship can be made as well as possible solutions for a better understanding be suggested in order to avoid such strong fallouts that were to be found in recent years.
Inhaltsverzeichnis (Table of Contents)
- 1. Introduction
- 1.1 Relevance of the topic
- 1.2 Structure and central research questions
- 1.3 Literary sources
- 2. Anti-Americanism a theoretical approach
- 2.1 Theories and definitions
- 2.2 Motives and functions
- 2.3 Anti-Americanism and anti-Semitism
- 3. The development of anti-Americanism in the context of German history
- 3.1 Anti-American perceptions in the 18th and 19th century
- 3.2 Anti-American images at the beginning of the 20th century until the Second World War
- 3.3 The Third Reich
- 3.4 The Post-War and Cold War period (1945-1990)
- 3.5 From the German Reunification to the war in Iraq
- 3.6 The presidency of George W. Bush
- 4. The future of German-American relations – change with a new president?
Zielsetzung und Themenschwerpunkte (Objectives and Key Themes)
This thesis examines the historical development of anti-American sentiment in Germany, focusing on the fluctuating nature of German-American relations. It aims to demonstrate that the surge in anti-American feelings during the George W. Bush administration was not an isolated event, but rather a phase in a long and complex relationship marked by both admiration and resentment. The study analyzes the historical context of these sentiments, exploring how they have evolved over time and varied across different social and political groups.
- The historical evolution of anti-American sentiment in Germany.
- The ambivalent nature of German attitudes towards the United States (both positive and negative perceptions).
- The influence of historical events and political contexts on shaping these attitudes.
- The role of stereotypes and their persistence over time.
- The impact of the George W. Bush administration and the Iraq War on German-American relations.
Zusammenfassung der Kapitel (Chapter Summaries)
Chapter 1: Introduction This chapter introduces the topic, highlighting the surge in anti-American sentiment during the Bush administration and emphasizing the long and complex history of German-American relations. It outlines the thesis's objectives and methodology.
Chapter 2: Anti-Americanism - A Theoretical Approach This chapter provides a theoretical framework for understanding anti-Americanism, examining definitions, motives, and functions, and exploring its relationship with anti-Semitism.
Chapter 3: The Development of Anti-Americanism in the Context of German History This chapter traces the historical development of anti-American sentiment in Germany, from the 18th and 19th centuries through the Bush presidency, analyzing the changing social and political contexts that shaped these attitudes.
Schlüsselwörter (Keywords)
Anti-Americanism, Germany, United States, German-American relations, historical development, stereotypes, political context, ambivalence, George W. Bush, Iraq War, public opinion.
- Quote paper
- Nicola Weinert (Author), 2008, "Mögen Sie eigentlich die Amerikaner?" - The historical development of anti-Americanism in Germany, Munich, GRIN Verlag, https://www.grin.com/document/120772
