The US/UK Relationship

[Taham]

I'm not sure if anyone's already asked this, but here goes.
Why is the US friends with the UK? I'm not against it or anything, but when the USA was formed, it was after a war with Britain. Correct me if I'm wrong, but usually a war is detrimental to national relationships. If anyone can think of a logical reason as to why the two nations have a "special relationship", please post. And before someone says, "both nations fought together in the world wars", other countries fought aswell, yet France (for example) doesn't seem to have such a close alliance with either country.

 

[DJDarque]

Read up on the War of 1812. After it ended the US and the UK signed a treaty to improve relations. It also probably has to do with it benefiting both countries economically.

 

[DAPLR]

Well, thats unfair too say France isn't that close, being a former citizen of France, lol
Whatever, the point is, they're friends because they have similiar ideals and goals for the most part.
If you think THAT relationship is weird, check out the Ireland Britain relationship. Were friends and I'm glad we are, but less than a century ago, they hated each other

 

[Griffolion]

Why are the US friends with the UK? Not too sure to be honest. There are many other countries the US could focus on being friends with for many more benefits.

Why are the UK friends with the US? Well the whole saving our asses from the Nazi thing still comes into play.

Doesn't mean we can't call each other respective stereotypical insults and argue over which of our national sports is entitled to it's name more.

 

[Toriver]

Sure, the US and UK fought in the American Revolution, but it's really for that very reason the two nations have had a strong relationship throughout history. The US and UK share the common bond of one nation forming out of the other. Many of the other nations once colonized by the UK, such as Canada, Australia, New Zealand and India, are part of the British Commonwealth along with the UK itself, an organization dedicated to keeping strong ties with each other. While nations that broke away through war, such as the US and Ireland, are not part of the Commonwealth, that bond still exists in some form. Fighting as allies in two world wars is partly a product of that bond, not a cause of it. Other former colonial powers such as France and Spain also share similar bonds with their former colonies. When I was studying in Spain back in 2007, I learned that a bit of a derogatory joke in Europe was that the continent "ends in France" because the cultural ties between Spain and Portugal and their former colonies are so strong that it produced a culture in those countries so different and unique from the rest of Europe. When I was there I did not visit the UK, so I don't know, but I did hear some of the same sentiments regarding the UK and its relationship with the US (as well as the Commonwealth).

 

[Tanis]

The whole 'forger British citizens' thing could have something to do with it.

The founders of the USA never wanted to separate from from the UK, at least not at first.

The War For Independence came much later, after years of oppression, and an ocean of minor/major cultural chances.

The reason why, to this day, the USA/UK have such strong ties is BECAUSE of this.
Our founding members were from the same bloodlines.

 

[Arkvoodle]

We have an understanding.


Americans don't drink their tea; UKers don't eat our food.

 

[Gizmo1990]

Well, thats unfair too say France isn't that close, being a former citizen of France, lol
Whatever, the point is, they're friends because they have similiar ideals and goals for the most part.
If you think THAT relationship is weird, check out the Ireland Britain relationship. Were friends and I'm glad we are, but less than a century ago, they hated each other

Alot of the Irish still dislike us, saying that we should not be in their country in any way, they just stoped trying to blow us up. Althrough I would loved to see the look on some of those peoples faces when after saying for so long that Ireland did not need us, they then had to ask us for money.

As for the US when they kicked us out we basicaly said ok you win so how about setting up some trade. It evolved from there. Althrough in the last 100 years or so it has been confusing that we got along so well. If you turn up late for two wars and then do nothing to stop Americans who have Irish names so they think that they are Irish from funding the IRA then maybe you are not so good friends.

 

[Thaluikhain]

They've been allies since WW2, against the Germans, Japanese, then later various communist forces. Trade and a common language/culture helps as well.

 

[Caveworm]

Because Americans know how to make proper doughnuts or in the spirit of friendship: donuts. ^_^

(hate jam doughnuts)

 

[DAPLR]

Well, thats unfair too say France isn't that close, being a former citizen of France, lol
Whatever, the point is, they're friends because they have similiar ideals and goals for the most part.
If you think THAT relationship is weird, check out the Ireland Britain relationship. Were friends and I'm glad we are, but less than a century ago, they hated each other

Alot of the Irish still dislike us, saying that we should not be in their country in any way, they just stoped trying to blow us up. Althrough I would loved to see the look on some of those peoples faces when after saying for so long that Ireland did not need us, they then had to ask us for money.

As for the US when they kicked us out we basicaly said ok you win so how about setting up some trade. It evolved from there. Althrough in the last 100 years or so it has been confusing that we got along so well. If you turn up late for two wars and then do nothing to stop Americans who have Irish names so they think that they are Irish from funding the IRA then maybe you are not so good friends.

Lol, being Irish, you're comment upset me a little...still true though ;D
Though we mostly really like you, honest

 

[Bobic]

The way I see it is that you Yanks are like the UK's child. Sure when you went through puberty we had a lot of arguing as you sought out your independence. But now you're mature and we both get along well and look after eachother. We just have strong family ties.

 

[Daystar Clarion]

Because the Commonwealth and the UK/US relationship is a lot like a disfunctional family.

Sure, we all get on each other's tits, but when the shit hits the fan, we stick together.

 

[DAPLR]

*cough* World War I *cough* World War II *cough*

They both speak English?

Did you know English is the most spoken language in the world? Its true, considering how the USA controlled a lot of the recreational markets (eg. motion picture)and their unprecedented financial boom, the business district of many countries have it as a unnofficial requirement to speak English....and I swear, I'm not a Irish guy with a hard-on for American industries, lol

 

[SilentCom]

If you haven't noticed, the U.S. tends to like to make friends with nations we warred with. Japan is another example. Just because we were enemies before doesn't mean we have to be sworn enemies. It's always better to make friends than enemies.

 

[LuckyClover95]

Also, the USA was formed a very long time ago. None of the same politicians and whatnot, so maybe people just you know got over it.

 

[Techno Squidgy]

Because Americans know how to make proper doughnuts or in the spirit of friendship: donuts. ^_^

(hate jam doughnuts)

You sir, are a liar and a scallywag! Remove these slanderous comments post-haste!

 

[N7 Ruiz]

I will say this Its because the language barrier is not that bad I still dont understand what some british people say sometimes but its manly the language barrier if France knew english then guess what I mean canada is a country but Canadians are...um what is canada known for other than being a country.

 

[ReservoirAngel]

Doesn't mean we can't call each other respective stereotypical insults and argue over which of our national sports is entitled to it's name more.

Blatantly our English version of Football deserves the name more.

OT: Honestly? Who knows. Personally I find the entire thing weird, since it's made the UK into America's personal ***** nation.

 

[Sandernista]

If you haven't noticed, the U.S. tends to like to make friends with nations we warred with. Japan is another example. Just because we were enemies before doesn't mean we have to be sworn enemies. It's always better to make friends than enemies.

This [http://tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pmwiki.php/Main/DefeatMeansFriendship] was my first thought.

Also, we share a language, we did help them quite a lot during both world wars, they've been our best trading partner for a long time, ect.