this post was submitted on 27 Aug 2025
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History Memes

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[–] not_that_guy05@lemmy.world 59 points 3 weeks ago (2 children)

I think that's also the US...

[–] Zorque@lemmy.world 58 points 3 weeks ago

Any empire, really.

[–] PugJesus@lemmy.world 21 points 3 weeks ago (3 children)

It varies wildly. Many countries are still quite positive about the US - for all of our sins, and they are many, we also have many incidents of supporting other countries, including during decolonization in the 1950s. Whether or not we were better than the Brits, we certainly had a less overt hand than the world's largest empire and, subsequently, dissolution of empire in independence movements against British rule. The absence of that makes for a bit less hostility.

Ultimately, hagiography of the past (or worse, the present) is always bad. Hagiography blinds and prevents correction. "The first step is admitting you have a problem", and all that jazz.

[–] youCanCallMeDragon@lemmy.world 9 points 3 weeks ago (1 children)

Many countries are still quite positive about the US

… or else

[–] PugJesus@lemmy.world 7 points 3 weeks ago* (last edited 3 weeks ago)

I mean many countries are still positive in terms of popular sentiment, not government reactions. "Or else" applies more to government reactions - like many countries in MENA, whose populations tend to be negative about the US, but wherein governments are more conciliatory to prevent the US from leveraging economic pressure.

[–] Rothe@piefed.social 2 points 3 weeks ago (2 children)

Many countries are still quite positive about the US

I think that is a bit of an outdated claim.

[–] bigfondue@lemmy.world 2 points 3 weeks ago

Everyone loves us! We'll be greeted as liberators and given a parade!

[–] Filthmontane@lemmy.world 0 points 3 weeks ago

Typical US imperialism apologia

[–] SkunkWorkz@lemmy.world 36 points 3 weeks ago* (last edited 3 weeks ago) (1 children)

Average Tory voter what they think they will live like if the Victorian era came back:

Average Tory voter what they will live like if the Victorian era came back:

[–] Diplomjodler3@lemmy.world 23 points 3 weeks ago

Goes for "conservatives" in every country.

[–] JackLSauce@lemmy.world 15 points 3 weeks ago

Others'*

Blame the English

[–] Denjin@feddit.uk 12 points 3 weeks ago

Although the Faragists are pushing back against the perceived woke-ism of criticising British imperialism and colonialism in general, even back in the 80s and 90s when I went to school there was an overall negative slant in teaching and textbooks.

It definitely needs to be stronger and louder for sure but it's simply not accurate to say anymore (though the tories and Reform certainly want to whitewash things and show only the "good" bits).

[–] PugJesus@lemmy.world 12 points 3 weeks ago

At least things are better on that front than they were. School textbooks from the 20th century are W I L D in their apologia and whitewashing.

We must keep fighting to excise the cancer of nationalism in history textbooks o7

[–] fox2263@lemmy.world 11 points 3 weeks ago (1 children)

At least we admit it. I learned about a lot of shit we did in school.

[–] insaneinthemembrane@lemmy.world 9 points 3 weeks ago (3 children)

Definitely not admitting all of it, tbf.

[–] Fedegenerate@lemmynsfw.com 12 points 3 weeks ago* (last edited 3 weeks ago)

Admitting all of the shit we did would be PHD levels of knowledge, British history is long and wide reaching. We should teach more of it. Little of what I learned was unimportant though (perhaps the US expansion West?), so it's difficult to think where to slot things in. Opium wars? Not even once.

I've had many opportunities to work with foreign nationals, and it was as interesting (as it was harrowing) to learn their history as they tell it.

At least we're responsible for more holidays than any other country in the world, you get an Independence day, you get and Independence day, everyone gets an Independence day

[–] fox2263@lemmy.world 5 points 3 weeks ago (1 children)

Oh aye for sure. But not like they pretend none of it happened either

[–] insaneinthemembrane@lemmy.world 1 points 3 weeks ago

Eh they do a good job avoiding admitting stuff.

[–] Tollana1234567@lemmy.today 4 points 3 weeks ago

or glossing over or obfuscating it.

[–] bampop@lemmy.world 8 points 3 weeks ago

Not saying it isn't so, but we're looking at 2 characters both specifically written as metaphors for the USA. I guess empires are gonna empire generally

[–] Pulptastic@midwest.social 2 points 3 weeks ago (1 children)

Who is the one on the right?

[–] marcos@lemmy.world 2 points 3 weeks ago

It's Homelander, from "The Boys".

[–] 0_o7@lemmy.dbzer0.com -2 points 3 weeks ago

Those English history books are also the main sources of information on Wikipedia.