A Brief History of Anti-Americanism : From Cultural Criticism to Terrorism

Abstract

This article provides an historical examination of anti- Americanism from its beginnings to the current day. I argue that anti- Americanism is not a comprehensive or coherent belief system or ideology, but rather a series of criticisms and prejudices regarding America that have haphazardly been labelled anti-Americanism. Chronologically the term is first associated with European cultural laments about American manners and uncouthness and then, as America becomes a global power, more politically and economically based criticism comes to the fore. Finally, in recent times what has been labelled 'anti-American terrorism'2 has reared its head. This article does not pretend to be a comprehensive overview of all forms of anti- Americanism across the globe as each nation has its own story to tell. What I have drawn on are the dominant or most noted types of criticism of America throughout.