There is certainly a anti US sentiment in Europe. But as a pro US Dutch citizen I think a large part of it has to do with the fact that “Large trees catch a lot of wind”. If you look at the news you will always see something about America, half of Europe’s (and the world’s) media are of American origin.
The media brings a very fragmented unclear world in our home, and loves to show US involvement in it. On the other hand you hardly ever see something about Chechnya or the horrors that are caused by the . This cannot deliver anything other than a distorted view of the world.
The European people are also very anti war, most of them simply do not believe anything good can come out of a war, altough we are the biggest example that a war is sometimes needed for freedom.
But as somebody who triggers a lot of discussions about this, with friends, family and college’s, I cannot say that more than a few dumbasses believe that what we see on the news is reality or have a grudge against the American people. I also don’t believe, in the Netherlands at least, that the Anti Americanism originates from the fact that Europe used to be dominating on the world stage. Dutch civilians don’t care about that.
Also there are a lot of people that don’t like the current policy of the US but strongly believe in the American Dream and the American people. Even tho the majority is socialist, and points to the government for everything, there are some people that want less government and more change and self responsibility.
