Why is anti-Americanism so prevalent in Canada?
Uh, no folks. We’re bigger and we’re on top. It is not so much “anti-Americanism” as ‘non-Americanism’, a desire to be differentiated from Americans – to have and maintain our own identity without being swamped by a rather large and overbearing neighbour. A significant number of people living in Canada chose to live within the British Empire at the time of the American Revolution or were forced out of their homes in the US (winners are always heroic revolutionaries, but their victims may still call them terrorists). Since then, the desire has been to maintain our own identity, originally as part of the British Empire and, during the past half-century, as an independent nation in our own right, with our own national character and belief system. —————————————- About growing “anti-Americanism”: What is commonly referred to as ‘anti-Americanism’ has been declining in Canada since its inception. Confederation occurred for many reasons. Britain was tired of governin
Having lived in both the United States and Canada, I’ve seen little to no evidence of “anti-Americanism”. Many Canadians disagree with the policies and practices of the current American government, but most are capable of differentiating between a country, its people and it’s government. There is very little negative feeling towards the United States as a country and it’s people, more of a sense that we’d rather maintain our own cultural identity (as stated by RedJohn), and a fair amount of good-natured ribbing. Canadians make a lot of jokes about the United States, but most of this is meant in good humour and is certainly not meant in any negative way. It is true that there are Canadians who dislike the United States.
Starting in the 1970s the policies of the Canadian government changed, and more emphasis was placed on accepting refugees and immigrants from the third-world instead of from Europe.Many of these new people come from Islamic countries and they bring with them, to Canada, deeply engrained jealousies and hatreds against America.
I lived in Canada for 7 years. I found the Canadian anti-Americnism revolting. I didn’t mind the disagreement with American government. I did mind the many bad assumptions about Americans. In Canada, American bashing is tolerated. It shouldn’t be. This is not good natured ribbing. Apparently I am stupid. Apparently I think Canadians live in an igloo. All my friends are white. I do not socialize. I get angry easily. I drive a big car. I do not care about the environment. My hometown is over populated. I am selfish and wasteful. According to so many Canadians this is the way I am because I am American. I believe many Canadians have anti-American issues but do not know it.
