Anglophobia
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Anglophobia as a term refers to irrational hatred and animosity toward the English or English culture.
It is distinct from a reasoned critique of English culture, politics history or identity by the generality of the criticism, or its ingrained and sometimes reactionary forms of expression.
Anglophobia is a multi-layered and disparate group of beliefs that cannot be satisfied by a single definition, and as such understanding Anglophobia requires a detailed stripping back of the complex history of Britain’s relationship with other nations, and the various forms of Anglophobia that have arisen.
Anglophobic bias includes a prejudice against English surnames, family relations, and other ties. Anglophobia sometimes extends to identify those who are not actually English but still identifiable as white and western European, such as Celtic, Dutch or German surnames (see nepotism).
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United Kingdom
One root cause of Anglophobia within the UK is a reaction to England’s position as the politically and culturally dominate member of the union, which seems to overshadow the cultures of Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland.
Devolution was in part intended as a significant constitutional change with the potential to move towards establishing regional government that would be able to recognise national identity while maintaining the perceived benefits of the union.
The ‘English’ stereotype in this case would tend to focus on the wealthier south-east of England, a region that is also problematic for the north of England – see North-South divide in the United Kingdom.
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Former Colonies
The British Empire developed in several stages over hundreds of years, from piracy, acquisition of foreign land resources, colonization, involvement in slavery, and the actions of missionaries and NGO’s. The latter two were significant agents of Anglicization in Africa during the 18th and 19th centuries.
[[Category:{{{1|}}} articles with sections needing expansion]]Ireland
Significant historical events are sometimes cited as being the basis for continued animosity toward England.
- The Irish Potato Famine (1845-1849) resulted in the death of many Irish people, often viewed as being a consequence of laissez-faire governmental policy.
USA
- During the second world war, Fleet Admiral Ernest King had been noted for his anglophobic views which affected his decision making during the Second Battle of the Atlantic .
- Moser, John E. Twisting the Lion's Tail: American Anglophobia Between the World Wars, New York University Press (March 1999)
National Identity and the Other
Anglophobia may in part implicated in the national identity of the individual or group that holds it, as part of the negative aspects of asserting national pride. One potentially destructive aspect of national identity is allowing that identity to be defined by a polarised position to an ‘other’, as evidenced by National Socialism and other totalitarian regimes.
Post Imperialism and the Special Relationship
The UK’s continued development of the special relationship implicates it by extension with Anti-Americanism. Together with other Anglophone countries, England are part of a perceived Anglo-Saxon domination of world culture.
[[Category:{{{1|}}} articles with sections needing expansion]]Violence and Anglophobia
Sport
A veiled form of Anglophobia is sometimes displayed in national sports Soccer and Rugby where England plays against rivals Scotland, Wales, France, Australia and Germany. Hooliganism and violence by English towards other nation team’s supporters has fueled this negative image internationally
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