Americans are a controversial nation. In one country tolerance for minorities, tolerance, a free market, individualization and the highest costs of the military and constant involvement in mass conflicts coexist. Last field
battle, according to the Internet community, has become Ukraine. After the Maidan, everyone began to talk about another confrontation between Americans and Russians. They remembered the iron curtain and past feuds. Many people have a question about what will happen next. And why are Americans afraid of Russians? And are they afraid at all?
America's education
Before answering these questions, you need to plunge into the history of the United States of America and understand why the overseas country is perceived as the most important aggressor. It is enough to recall how their story began. The burning of the lands of the Indians and the extermination of entire tribes and civilizations - albeit standard, but not the best beginning for a liberal nation from the current point of view. It is worth noting that the Iroquois were a very educated and progressive people, and who knows how history would turn, survive their civilization. And most importantly, whatever Europe is, do not conquer and expand its expansion into North and South America.
USA in the 19th century
At the beginning of the 19th century, Europe, with its conservative Catholic values, became the main enemy of the Americans. Americans despised everything European, valued their own "self" and individualism, and considered themselves a nation chosen by God.
At the same time, the slave trade flourished. And although the black population was not the enemy of the Americans, the people of rights and freedoms despised, in their opinion, the lower, worthless “non-people”. The chauvinist attitude towards blacks in the United States continued at the beginning of the 20th century, when foci of lynching of the black population were recorded.
America vs Japan
During the Second World War, in addition to Nazi Germany, the Americans fought with Japan. The rivalry of two nations ended in sad events: Pearl Harbor, in which almost the entire US fleet was flooded and many soldiers were killed, as well as the dropping of a nuclear bomb on Hiroshima and Nagasaki, where many people died, some of whom died from radiation exposure after .
Subsequently, the Americans, as befits the winners, imposed severe sanctions on the Japanese empire, which had a negative impact on its economy.
The Iron Curtain and the battle of two superpowers
After the Second World War, the Soviet Union became the main enemy of the United States. In addition to the military arms race, both countries developed espionage as well as space programs. It seems that after the Iron Curtain, mutual propaganda against each other and uniting in opposing coalitions, apart from the Balkan crisis, the question of why Americans are afraid of Russians will disappear on its own. Although it is worth noting that the rivalry of the two superpowers over the XX century has given the world such great achievements as a manned space flight, landing on the moon, and developments in the field of nuclear physics, chemistry and biology. In addition, political and economic institutions developed, which later took root in the ideology of both countries. The development of institutions and knowledge-intensive areas, as well as industrial production, gave people jobs, provided them with shelter, and generally improved the life of a citizen. Unfortunately for us, in this struggle the USSR lost.
To understand the cause of the defeat, you need to plunge into sociology and political science. After reading the work of the well-known sociologist and futurologist Francis Fukuyama, namely, “The Great Break” and “Trust”, you can immediately determine that the hierarchical political and administrative system of the USSR, based on bloated factories with a low level of trust in employees, was doomed to failure. While mobile and peer-to-peer networks based on trust and an increase in the responsibility of a simple worker allowed America to break into the information age on horseback. A vivid example of such mobile organizations in the USA are Silicon Valley companies that are willing to take risks and are not afraid of the challenge of time, namely Apple Steve Jobs and Microsoft Bill Gates.
Russia's nuclear power
We come close to answering the question of why Americans are afraid of Russians. To summarize all of the above with one phrase: America understands that throughout most of its history, it has in most cases been an aggressor. And right now it has become clear to the whole world.
Now let's talk about the military power of Russia. Americans are afraid of Russians, since the largest country in the world has the largest number of nuclear warheads capable of destroying the planet several times. Therefore, the US military policy against Russia does not work a priori. Americans are afraid. Russia cannot be subjected to air strikes or troops to enter its territory. And that means that the methods of struggle against it must be different. Although there is always the danger of being declassified and subjecting oneself to blows. So, at least after the WikiLix and Julian Assange cases, relations between the European Union and the United States worsened.
Great Russian soldiers
Are Americans afraid of Russian soldiers? They have at least plenty of cause for concern. These are partisan movements during the Second World War and intervention, the valor and courage of Soviet soldiers in the Great Patriotic War, which we always remember on May 9, as well as the fearlessness of the Russian army in the battles in Chechnya. All this suggests that the Russian army is not only trained for many years of protracted wars, but also firmly defends its homeland. The rich Russian history, the conquests of the Russian Empire, the strength of the Soviet armed forces - this is the answer to the question of why the Americans are afraid of Russian special forces of a modern type.
Are Americans afraid of the Russian people?
On the one hand, I am glad that a lot of stereotypes hang around the Russians. After all, oddly enough, it is their presence that speaks of the strength of the nation and state. Can you recall the stereotype of Denmark? But on the other hand, according to the Human Development Index, Russia takes a modest 77th place. But the rating takes into account all important social components, such as health, education, etc. Will the Russians be able to unite when the new and old enemies come in the person of the United States or will they lay down their arms, as Poland once before fascist Germany or Prussia in front of Napoleon’s army? But Russia is different now. It does not possess the economical abilities that were under the “Reds,” nor does it possess the faith that was during the reign of Alexander the First and Alexander the Second. "King. Autocracy. Nationality ”- was and has passed. Now our people are lost and concerned about their current situation. There are not so many reasons for pride in the country, and it will not work for a long time to travel on the fragments of the old system. So whether Americans are afraid of Russians in such a situation is a moot point.
If we touch upon the military power of the country, then there is no question of why the Americans are afraid of Russian soldiers, but this certainly cannot be said about our people and our politics. The main problem lies in just another. The most important question for the near future is: "Are Americans afraid of Russians both as a people, and as a state, and as an ideology?"