IBach

The Curious American Habit of Invading Every Conversation With World War II It is one of life’s great mysteries. Mention football. Mention beer. Mention bicycles. Mention the correct way to cook chips. Sooner or later an American will appear, clear his throat, and announce: “Belgium wouldn’t exist without the United States.” Imagine that level of confidence. It’s like turning up to Wimbledon and claiming you deserve the trophy because your grandfather once helped rebuild Centre Court. The historical irony, of course, is delicious. The United States exists because Europeans crossed an ocean, founded colonies, financed revolutions and, in the case of France, emptied vast amounts of treasure into helping the Americans defeat Britain. Without Britain, France, Spain and the Netherlands, there is no United States. Without Europe, America is still a very interesting collection of forests. As for Belgium specifically, the story is even less convenient. Large parts of Belgium were liberated by British, Canadian and Polish forces. American troops fought bravely as well, particularly during the Battle of the Bulge, but the idea that Belgium owes its entire existence to Washington belongs somewhere between Hollywood and fan fiction. The more interesting question is this: Why does every discussion with certain Americans eventually become a military history lecture? A refereeing decision in football somehow ends with aircraft carriers. A debate about healthcare becomes aircraft carriers. Public transport? Aircraft carriers. Cheese? Believe it or not, aircraft carriers. It’s as if the national emergency exit for losing an argument is simply shouting “World War II” until everyone goes home. Which is rather odd. Because genuinely confident countries don’t constantly remind strangers how powerful they are. They simply get on with life. Perhaps that’s why Europeans can argue passionately about football for hours without feeling the need to deploy the 82nd Airborne. Although, judging by recent online debates, some Americans appear convinced they should.