Anti-American Sentiment During The Cold War

Anti-American sentiment is the result of several different factors and does not have one exact cause. Events such as the Cold War, which created an “intense geopolitical rivalry between the United States and Russia”, cause lasting impacts and provide insight on how anti-American sentiment forms (“Background” para 1). During the Cold War, Americans were accusing each other of being Soviet spies and facing government investigations. No one was safe from the allegations, especially celebrities (“Background” para 1-2). Relations with Russia are still strained today and Russians do not view America very highly. America’s involvement internationally has helped to heighten several countries’ animosity through “military interventions, corporate greed, …show more content…
Younger generations have different views and ideas than older generations. Growing disapproval of each other has caused some people to believe the country is becoming “un-American” and corrupt. “Older Americans looked on with dismay at a generation they simply could not understand as being part of the America they knew” (“Background” para 3). Several young Americans are leaning away from capitalism and more toward a socialist society, which has aided the generational divisions. In addition, the opposing views of the left wing and the right wing have caused the nation to split and form different views of what America should be like and how it should be run. Some of the main issues that turn Americans against each other and their country include “abortion, gay rights, gun rights, environmental protection, religious views, government power, and Wall Street influence”. Each side accuses the other of being anti-American for disagreeing with their views (“Background” para …show more content…
In order to fix views throughout the world, the country has to manage the anti-American sentiment within its own borders. Appealing to other countries and raising favorability will be extremely difficult for a country where people view some of their fellow citizens as part of “a totally foreign culture” and will not accept change (“Background” para 3). In addition, America needs to attempt to cut down on involvement in conflict. In the Middle East and Afghanistan, favorability is exceptionally low in several countries (“Global View” 4-5). Terrorism is also a big global issue. By making a stronger effort to control it, America can increase favorability ratings. ISIS has found a strong recruitment base in American teens using social media. Having citizens involved in terrorist organizations does not help to quell the spread of terrorism or to improve America's image (“Outlook” para