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Anglophobia is a hatred or fear of the English or English culture; its antonym is anglophilia.dictionary.com definition. In a wider context Anglophobia is a prejudice against British people as a whole.
Anglophobic bias is distinct from a balanced critique of English culture, politics, history or identity by its ingrained and sometimes reactionary forms of expression.
Anglophobia is a multi-layered and disparate group of beliefs that cannot be satisfied by a single definition, and as such understanding Anglophobia requires a detailed stripping back of the complex history of Britain’s relationship with other nations, and the various forms of Anglophobia that have arisen.
Anglophobic bias includes a prejudice against English names, family relations, and other ties. Anglophobia is sometimes directed against those who are not actually English but still identifiable as white and western European, such as Celtic, Dutch or German names.
USA
The word Anglophobia originates from the eighteenth century.Allwords.com definition of Anglophobia. Thomas Jefferson used the word in a letter to James Madison dated May 13th 1793.Excerpts from the Correspondence of Thomas Jefferson.: School of Cooperative Individualism Website. He wrote:
The Anglophobia has seized violently on three members of our council.....Anglophobia, secret anti-gallomany, a federalisme outré, and a present ease in his circumstances not usual, have decided the complexion of our dispositions, and our proceedings towards the conspirators against human liberty, and the asserters of it, which is unjustifiable in principle, in interest, and in respect to the wishes of our constituents.
During the period of alliance between Britain and the USA, anglophobia took another form. Fleet Admiral Ernest King had been noted for his anglophobic views which affected his decision making during the Second Battle of the Atlantic. Moser, John E. (1999): Twisting the Lion's Tail: American Anglophobia Between the World Wars, New York University Press.
United Kingdom
England has historically overshadowed the international standing of Scotland, Wales, Northern Ireland and, at times, even the United Kingdom.What is the UK? Is it the same as Britain, Great Britain or England? by Don Aitken (2002): The alt.usage.english Home Page. Retrieved 28 May 2006. Consequently, Anglophobia within the UK is linked to England’s position as the politically and culturally dominant member of the union.Britain/Great Britain/United Kingdom &c: Some Common Confusions by John Davies (2004): The alt.usage.english Home Page. Retrieved 28 May 2006.
Former Colonies
The British Empire developed in several stages over hundreds of years, from piracy, acquisition of foreign land resources, colonization, involvement in slavery, and the actions of missionaries and NGO’s. The latter two were significant agents of Anglicisation in Africa during the 18th and 19th centuries. Ferguson, Niall (2003): Empire: How Britain Made the Modern World, Penguine.
Quebec
Past British rule and the conquer of New France as well as significant historical events are cited as being the basis for continued animosity toward the Canadian state in the province of Quebec by nationalists.
Ireland
Modern British rule as well as significant historical events are cited as being the basis for continued animosity toward the English/British state in Ireland.
- The Tudor re-conquest of Ireland.
- The Plantations of Ireland.
- The Cromwellian conquest of Ireland,
- The Irish Potato Famine (1845-1849) resulted in the death of many Irish people, often viewed as being a consequence of laissez-faire governmental policy.Is southern Ireland a neo-colony? by Kieran Allen (2002): REDS – Die Roten website. Retrieved 30 May 2006
Anglophobia in Literature
Charlotte Brontë’s first novel The Professor, which was published posthumously, uses the word:
"Well, then, you shall have plenty of it; and first, I see you've not much more sense than some others of my acquaintance"(indicating me with his thumb), "or else you'd never turn rabid about that dirty little country called England; for rabid, I see you are; I read Anglophobia in your looks, and hear it in your words. Brontë, Charlotte, (1847): The Professor
George Orwell also used the word Anglophobia, this time in the context of the post war power struggle:
Welsh, Irish and Scottish nationalism have points of difference but are alike in their anti-English orientation....But Celtic nationalism is not the same thing as anglophobia. Orwell, George (1945): Notes on Nationalism, Essays and Journalism, from Charles' George Orwell Links. Retrieved 28 May 2006
References
See also
"Anglophobia"