The attitude of Americans towards Russia (most often not only negative, but in most cases absolutely wrong) seems to be based on the propaganda in the media that is generally accepted in the United States, which brainwashes its own citizens. And the origins of this phenomenon should be sought in the back streets of history. Only after studying all historical events will it become clear what modern Americans think about Russia and Russians.
A bit of history: the results of World War II
Perhaps we should start with history. The fact is that America and the former Soviet Union were isolated from each other for a long time. The "Wild West" had no idea how the Old World lives, in particular the USSR, like our people.
But the intersection of nations occurred during the Second World War, when the anti-Hitler coalition was formed, in which the USSR, the USA and Great Britain acted as allies. That's whenAmericans and thought about how the country opposing Nazism lives.
But not everything is so simple here either. At the end of the war, former allies, at the suggestion of the United States, turned into irreconcilable opponents. Despite the peace process of the Y alta Conference on February 4-11, 1945, it was felt that the States and Britain were not in the mood for friendly relations with the USSR. The only question was how to share influence in Europe and the Far East.
Cold War and the Iron Curtain
Since then, the Soviet Union has become Russia for the average American. And all the inhabitants of the then state were called only Russians, although it could be a native of any republic or nationality.
Russia through the eyes of the Americans, or rather the USSR, at that time looked like a powerful power with which the United States had constant competition, which eventually grew into an arms race. They believed that it was we who were building up our military potential, while we were convinced that our main enemy was America, which was creating more and more new types of weapons. This concerned primarily ballistic intercontinental missiles of medium and long range (if anyone does not remember or does not know, in contrast to the American Triedent and Polaris, the best analogues were created under the brand name SS-18, and then SS-20), not to mention the nuclear confrontation, which could lead to a new war of total annihilation.
As for the so-called "Iron Curtain", information about life in the two countries for ordinary citizenswere extremely limited and served in a completely distorted way.
The formed opinion about the way of life in the former USSR
In those years, this was presented to us as a “decaying West”, they, in turn, believed that complete chaos reigned in the USSR: bears and constantly drunk men in sheepskin coats and felt boots roaming the streets, playing balalaikas. This is how the image of a bear with a balalaika was formed, which is still presented by some Western media.
The confrontation between the two superpowers reached its apogee during the so-called Caribbean crisis, when humanity stood on the threshold of the Third World War with the use of nuclear weapons. The only question was who would press the button first. It is not surprising that the Americans about Russia and the Russians (the common name for the USSR and all its citizens at that time) formed the only opinion: the “soviets” would attack first. This was aggravated by Nikita Sergeevich Khrushchev, who pounded his shoe on the podium and promised to show America "Kuzkin's mother." By the way, on the geographical maps of that time one could see the designation of the former Soviet Union not as the USSR, but as Russia.
A girl named Samantha Smith
When former head of the KGB Yuri Andropov came to power in the USSR, one of the most unprecedented events in the history of US-Soviet relations took place. An American schoolgirl wrote an open letter to Andropov asking why the USSR wants to conquer the whole world? In response, the General Secretary of the Central Committee of the CPSU invited her to visit the country.
Samantha became the starting point that had a strong influence on how Russia looks through the eyes of Americans (in the sense of the former Soviet Union). At that time, she visited a regular camp, where she wore a pioneer uniform and socialized with her peers. And it was she who debunked the myth of barbarians living in Eastern Europe.
Apparently, someone from Washington (most likely Langley from the CIA) did not like this. There is no evidence of the involvement of special services in the death of Samantha, but the fact is obvious. The plane on which she was flying with her parents crashed, according to the official report, due to bad weather conditions, when the pilot missed the runway by as much as 200 meters.
The attitude of Americans towards Russia and the Soviet Union during perestroika
However, soon there was a thaw in relations between the two superpowers. In the mid-1980s, American opinion about Russia (as the main component of the USSR) changed.
This was facilitated by the appearance on the political scene of Mikhail Gorbachev, who, after many years of confrontation, decided to meet with US President Ronald Reagan in Reykjavik. In a sense, it became historical, since it was then that packages of documents on the limitation of strategic offensive arms were signed.
The so-called perestroika and glasnost that came to the USSR, could not but affect the United States. Remember, not only our people, but also ordinary Americans at that time wore T-shirts with sickles, hammers,red stars and slogans like I love Gorby (Gorbachev's political nickname), "USSR" or USSR.
At the same time, the first Soviet rock band came out from behind the Iron Curtain and entered the TOP-5 of the US charts. It was "Gorky Park" with the composition Bang. And the same group performed in 1989 at Luzhniki at the Monsters of Rock in Moscow concert (along with such world celebrities as Ozzy Osbourne, Bon Jovi, Cinderella, Motley Crue, Skid Row and Scorpions). For many Americans, it was a complete surprise that Russian men can not only play the balalaika and sing folk songs, but also create world-class rock songs.
What can I say, the fact remains, but when the Scorpions were at Gorbachev's reception, he said that he likes Wind Of Change in the group's work the most. Not surprising. After all, this song is dedicated to the changes in the USSR that took place at that time.
The collapse of the USSR
The putsch that took place in 1991 led to the complete collapse of the Soviet Union. Independent countries and republics that became members of the CIS (Commonwe alth of Independent States) were created. Many expected that this would weaken all the former republics of the USSR. At first it was.
But the ongoing process of reforming both the state and society could no longer be stopped. The new Russia appeared before the world in a completely different guise, which, if not shocked, then certainly surprised many.
Boris Yeltsin
It is impossible to deny the role of Boris Yeltsin in the formation of the state. Even though he did not fully fulfill hismission, nevertheless it was he who stood on the tanks in August 1991 and called on the troops to stop the punitive operation.
Americans spoke about Russia as a newly created power in two ways. Some believed that the country would become the heir to the USSR in ideological terms in relation to the West, others believed that an era of global change was coming.
But the Soviet era, with its global principles, could not be destroyed just like that, in one day. That is why most of the reforms and undertakings remained only on paper. The country needed a new leader with a tough grip. And one appeared.
New Russia and Vladimir Putin: Western surprise that knows no bounds
Former Deputy, and then Chairman of the Government of the Russian Federation Vladimir Putin in 1999, after the departure of Yeltsin, became President of the Russian Federation. The political figure of Putin caused either doubt or mistrust among many, in general, there was not much information about him (former FSB colonel, what do you want). The world began to look closely at the new leader.
At that time, the Americans talked about Russia and Putin, perhaps, much more than about their own problems within the country. Even some, so to speak, "psychologists" tried to form an idea about this person on the basis of behavioral manners, gestures, glances, pursing lips, hand movements, etc. And now many are doing this.
But, to the great chagrin of all these masters who want to become famous at the expense of others, it is worth notingthat a former intelligence officer (counterintelligence, if you will) can control his emotions and gestures, which means that all the conclusions of such "specialists" are equal to zero.
What do Americans think of Russia and Putin now?
What is most interesting, Vladimir Putin, after a double presidential term, has not retired. At that time, many printed publications tried to find out what Russia looks like through the eyes of Americans in this aspect. Some naively believed that after being appointed prime minister under President Dmitry Medvedev, Putin would cease to influence international politics.
But… it didn't happen. As you know, in many parliamentary countries, the prime minister sometimes has even more power than the head of state. In this regard, Vladimir Putin turned out to be exactly the man who took the reins of power into his own hands.
On the other hand, no matter what the evil tongues say, it was at the suggestion of Putin that Great Russia began its revival. Now not only Americans say about Russia and Russians that these are, they say, imperial ambitions. So be it, so what?
Remember, because the old mother Russia, although she lived both in luxury and in poverty, nevertheless became the scientific and cultural center not only of Europe, but of the whole world. How many scientists who have contributed to world science, how many Nobel laureates in physics, how many classics of literature, whose immortal works are still being studied all over the world! Note that this does not fit in with the image of a village peasant, who was artificially created by the world (and primarily American) media.
Americans in Russia, coming to the country,they don’t see at all what they were presented with for many years “on a silver platter”. This is understandable. After all, hearing and seeing with your own eyes are not the same thing. So what do Americans say about Russia now? They are sure that every Russian family has a nuclear weapon at home! Think about it, is it not nonsense?
In light of recent events in Ukraine and Syria, when Russia is accused of illegally invading these countries, the situation becomes somewhat inadequate. What do Americans think about Russia based on their own media? Yes, only that the Russian Federation is an aggressor country trying to conquer the whole world and subjugate everyone and everything (does it not resemble a letter from Samantha Smith?). Of course, most of all, so to speak, "killed" A. Turchynov (head of the National Security and Defense Council of Ukraine), saying that Russia was soon planning to launch a nuclear strike on the United States and Europe. Taking into account the fact that Ukraine is currently, although it is not recognized and not proven, is under the external control of the United States, such a statement caused quite a big resonance in the American society.
Although, if you dig deeper, what the Americans say about Russia, for them it's all not important. Judging by polls produced by independent publications and sociological companies or analysts, US residents are most interested only in what is happening in their country and in their homes. And the level of education leaves much to be desired. The same University of New York is among the ten most prestigious universities in the world. But how can this be: students do not even know elementary geography? Well, yes, there is such a country on the world map (Russia), I heard something somewhere. At best, they sayit's the monster that started the war. But many students even find it difficult to show it on a geographical map…
But the Americans in Russia see a completely opposite picture. Great Russia is being revived, albeit with difficulty, but it is inevitable. Don't want to trust the media? Refer to the predictions of Vanga or Edgar Cayce, beloved by Americans, whose prophecies are recognized as the most accurate, because they came true (and come true in 99.9% of cases out of a hundred).
Thus, it was said that in the period from 2016 to 2020, Russia will receive a second birth and become the cradle of not only the world religion based on Christianity, but also the cradle of all mankind. States, Britain, Western Europe will be wiped off the face of the Earth (flooded), and Siberia will become the place of salvation. Isn't that why the States and the cynical outcasts ruling there (you can't call them otherwise) are already trying to create a springboard for resettlement on the territory of the Russian Federation?
If we take into account the fact that, as it is believed, the world is ruled by a certain unspoken Council of Nine (there are quite a few references to this) with people from Masonic lodges, then the question is what Americans think about Russia (meaning ordinary citizens), belongs to such a background that it is impossible to imagine. In the end, it is they who will suffer, although, either due to the influence of propaganda, or due to the limitations of the mind, they still do not understand this.
What is America most afraid of?
But as for the fears of the United States, ordinary people do not know about this. They are only afraid of the militarythreat, but the reality is much more serious. The first thing to consider is the external debt of the States, which has reached almost two tens of trillions of dollars. The gold and foreign exchange fund, which allegedly stores gold bullion, according to independent investigations, is only a myth. In fact, there is no gold in the vaults, the dollar is supported artificially, but the allocations from the state budget for the same military needs "outweigh" all reasonable indicators. The sanctions imposed against the Russian Federation and some other states only prove that the United States is thus trying to prevent a wholesale depreciation of the currency and an incredible crisis that cannot even be compared with the beginning of the 20th century.
Besides, as many Americans in Russia, by the way, say, America is afraid of losing global geopolitical influence on a global scale. Naturally, first of all, you need to find a scapegoat. And for some reason, the Russian Federation should become this "goat". But let's face the facts.
Nothing personal - just facts and statistics
Have you ever wondered how many world celebrities, including US citizens, for their own reasons decided to take Russian citizenship? Not? Here are just a few facts.
Not to mention the fact that the famous French actor Gerard Depardieu became the first-born, then off we go. It is worth noting two world-class fighters. This is boxer Roy Jones Jr. and jiu-jitsu champion Jeff Monson.
Don't forget about world famous musicians. For example, the vocalist and permanent leader of the band Limp Bizkit, American Fred Durst, turned to Vladimir Putin with a request to grant him Russian citizenship.
And how do you like such a famous actor as Kerry Hiroyuki-Tagawa, who played many characters in the movies, but in the last film "Priest-san" he played the role of an Orthodox priest (and after filming he converted to Orthodox Christianity)? Not because of a good life they are fleeing from America? There is, apparently, another, more compelling reason.
Maybe these new Americans in Russia will finally tell the world the truth that we are no one's enemies? As folk wisdom says: do not touch us - and we will not touch anyone. Or a joke that has taken root among the population, which has become almost a byword: “Whoever comes to us with a sword will receive it in a plowshare.”
