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Canoerebel -> RE: OT: Stereotypes about Germans in the US (4/20/2012 11:01:49 AM)
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Just in case Historiker is still interested in impressions of Germany in the USA.
My sense is that Americans hold Germans and Germany in high esteem. I recall historian Stephen Ambrose writing in one of his WWII histories (perhaps it was Citizen Soldier or D-Day) that American soldiers felt very comfortable with the German people - that GIs felt that Germans were like Americans in many ways. I think that sentiment is prevalent in the USA today.
My father, who was a GI in WWII, feels the same way. He likes Germans and doesn't have any animosity towards the country. Of course, he would separate out his feelings for the Nazis. But while he harbors resentment for the Japanese, he doesn't for Germany.
I remember reading in an American newspaper some 15 or 20 years ago that some town in Germany had erected a monument that acknolwedged the service of the German soldier in WWII while acknowledging that his leaders were flawed. That was tastefully and admirably done. In similar fashion, my wife visited Berlin three years ago and was moved by the tribute to the city's Jews who suffered in WWII. Apparently, there is a plaque or something similar placed in the pavement in front of every residence in which a Jewish person had lived and was evicted during those dark days.
I think there is also a general feeling that Germany is a strong political ally and quite likely would be of aid if a need arose. This sentiment might be illustrated in something I read shortly after the terrorist attacks 9/11/2001. An American Navy ship was on patrol somewhere in the Atlantic. A German naval vessel requested permission to pass close alongside. When permission was granted, the German ship steamed by with the crew on deck at attention. A very moving expression of condolences.
In an increasingly crazy world, America holds a great many nations in high esteem. Of course, Britain and all the "Commonwealth Countries" would be first on this list due to shared cultures and close ties, but Germany (and Japan, which is pretty remarkable) would also rank very high.
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