Public Opinion of Russia and Latin America in Relation to the USA (Late 19th — Early 20th Centuries)

Abstract

The article analyses the formation of the ideology of anti-Americanism in Russia in the late 19th — early 20th centuries on the example of the heritage of famous Russian writers and publicists. Their works denounced the pragmatism, lack of spirituality, utilitarianism and pursuit of profit characteristic of Americans. The author argues with researchers who consider this criticism of the United States in Russia a unique phenomenon inherent only to the Russian people with their “innate xenophobia”. The most convincing argument is the comparison with the phenomenon of anti-Americanism in Latin America, where nations were created by European immigrants who, by definition, could not preach intolerance to foreigners. Nevertheless, in the public opinion of the continent by the end of the 19th — beginning of the 20th centuries, there was a persistent negative attitude towards the United States. It is very important that in the works of the main ideologists of anti-Americanism in Latin America (J. Martí, J. E. Rodó, R. Darío, A. Reyes etс.) we see the same rejection of North American pragmatism, utilitarianism, colonialism, expansionism and racism as in Russia.