Who is American and who is not?

Ever since i learned about the world continents and countries and so i always 'knew' that America was a continent that had several countries inside, Canada, the U.S, Mexico, Chille, Peru, Bolivia, Brasil, Argentina and so on

But, Ever since like 3 almost 4 years since i went to the US for the first time i learned that for U.S. citizens America means their own country and the continent is called "The Americas"

This is confusing because, which one's America are you talking about?

North America = "Canada, U.S. and Mexico"
Central America = "Guatemala, Salvador, Costa Rica, Nicaragua, Honduras, ?"
South America = "Chile, Peru, Brasil, Argentina, ?"

So if you would say, i'm from America, which one do you mean, north, central or south, and then from which country inside that one "america" ?

It does not make any sense to me, you are either from America or not, but there are a few Americas from what i can see and how people seem to see it, it is ridiculous

I have seen old maps where America is a continent and nothing more, so everyone on this big piece of land is "American" but no sir it turns out that only people from the U.S. is considered "American" and everyone else is considered something else based on their country name

I don't get it, why did you chose so confusing way to deal with this?

I am in Mexico,i have friends that are Canadian, from U.S, Mexican, Chilean, Puerto Rican, Argentinan and from Panama. All of them are "American" except they are not according to my U.S. friends they are the only one Americans the rest are whatever country they came from, but yes there are North, Central and South Americans and the continent is named The Americas, so there are South Americans and Central and North Americans but no one but people from the U.S. is from "America"

No sense at all, nope, i don't get it i'm sorry

- I am from America
- Really? Which one?
- From the U.S. there is no other America
- I am from America too, from the south
- The south? Alabama?
- No. South America, Argentina

No really!?

What is this lmfao, why you guys decided to do this at all?

All of this was reminded to me because of this song i heard today that says

"America only land of indigenous" or something like that, it says something about all this confusion but i don't know anything beyond this, honestly while trying to figure it out i just got that it is dumb how it was decided to call each other on this continent, it does not make any sense but anyway i'm sure someone will be offended so oh well buhh

Is like everyone knows it is a very dumb thing but they pretend it doesn't exist as a ridiculous concept of "America" and "The Americas"

I just would like to hear a smart explanation from someone that actually knows and does not get all patriotic of whatever one "America" they belong to



Arigatou gozaimasu and thank you muchas gracias aun mas

P.S.

I have to say that i have come to Mexico from the past 11 years now every year but i did not really learned much about real history or other things beyond what you learn in a month of vacation every year and i was lazy so i don't know much about real history except language and day to day things. Yes i'm lazy and care little about things i'm sorry. I know i should learn more on my own yes, right now i just want to know from someone that actually knows "Why" and not spend 20 hours looking at random things on the internet as i had already tried that a couple hours ago and it is just a bunch of patriotic people talking about how they got the name stolen or otherwise. That is useless

a reply to: WarriorMH

That's why I've forever called people whom identify by the Federation, instead of the 'State' they live in, as United Statesians.

Although since the Federal Government has usurped virtually all power and sovereignty from the 50+ states, thus demoting them to "provinces", I prefer to use the term "United Provincians". It just sucks though so few have thought this stuff all the way thru I cant use that term without explaining its meaning very single time.

Oh, please. Don't be so damned pedantic. Anybody with half a brain knows North America is composed of three countries, Central America a bunch, and South America a bunch more. Do you really intend to pretend to give us a geography lesson here? In common parlance, citizens of the "United States of (North) America" call themselves "Americans." Canadians call themselves "Canadians," oddly enough, and Citizens of the "United Mexican States" call themselves "Mexicans." Are you seriously confused here, or are you just trolling? Another example: During the reign of the USSR, the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics, it was common to call citizens of that regime "Russians," even though Russia was but one dominant country in that Union. Being pedantic and insisting on literal interpretation without nuance is the domain of small minds.

We don't have those problems in Australia.

We own our entire Continent.

Then we know, because our school system has not yet been destroyed, so ...

Canadians are the sorry people.

Yanks are yanks ... we know them ... especially the entitled ones that come for holidays and then complain how it is so much different than home.

Mexicans are in the drug country, run by druggies with lots of guns.

South America is the place where they can't get along because the Yanks are always interfering.

There ya go mate, all sorted out for ya!

P

originally posted by: IgnoranceIsntBlisss
a reply to: WarriorMH

That's why I've forever called people whom identify by the Federation, instead of the 'State' they live in, as United Statesians.

Although since the Federal Government has usurped virtually all power and sovereignty from the 50+ states, thus demoting them to "provinces", I prefer to use the term "United Provincians". It just sucks though so few have thought this stuff all the way thru I cant use that term without explaining its meaning very single time.

- Oh hi where are you from?
- I'm "United Statesian"
- Really? So great, United Statesian of America or United Statesian of Mexico?
- what?


Turns out Mexico is also called "United States"

United States of America, which is part of North America in the Americas continent
United States of Mexico, which is part of North America in the Americas continent

:S

a reply to: WarriorMH


America was named after Amerigo Vespucci. An explorer among many other things.

en.wikipedia.org...

When I say America, I am usually referring to the U.S. because the U.S is the seat of power in all of America.
I have also used the word America to describe only North America and at times only South America.

Mexico's heritage is well worth learning about. I have always loved learning about the ancient and not so ancient civilizations of the world. One of the reason's I joined ATS. If you ever get a chance, check out some of Slayer69's content in Ancient Civilizations forum. Well worth it. Great question by the way, it made me think for a bit.

originally posted by: schuyler
Oh, please. Don't be so damned pedantic. Anybody with half a brain knows North America is composed of three countries, Central America a bunch, and South America a bunch more.

Actually North America is the continent that happens to encompass "Central America". That's geography. Social Studies might divie them off as 'other' for not being BIG, ethnicity type jingoism, whatever.

"Country" as a term besides music, is very redneckie and I dont hardly ever utter or type the 'term'. i.e. 'Go back to your own cuuuntrey'.

In common parlance, citizens of the "United States of (North) America" call themselves "Americans."

Jingoism.

America is an entire hemisphere, also known as the "New World" or the "New Atlantis".

Canadians call themselves "Canadians," oddly enough, and Citizens of the "United Mexican States" call themselves "Mexicans."

Whatever. That's the actual name of those nation states (which have provinces [as does the United States have 50+ f them]).

Are you seriously confused here, or are you just trolling?

I think everybody is. And I argue its the public schools systems fault for "teaching" (indoctrinating) everyone that Eurpoe is "an actual" "continent".

Another example: During the reign of the USSR, the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics, it was common to call citizens of that regime "Russians," even though Russia was but one dominant country in that Union.

It was Russia's Empire.

But here in the Unites States Empire the jingoism is so thick that the domination of the entire hemisphere is encoded right into the vernacular.

Being pedantic and insisting on literal interpretation without nuance is the domain of small minds.

Shallow people have no place in the deep end. (no offense, just being diabolical)

originally posted by: schuyler
Oh, please. Don't be so damned pedantic. Anybody with half a brain knows North America is composed of three countries, Central America a bunch, and South America a bunch more. Do you really intend to pretend to give us a geography lesson here? In common parlance, citizens of the "United States of (North) America" call themselves "Americans." Canadians call themselves "Canadians," oddly enough, and Citizens of the "United Mexican States" call themselves "Mexicans." Are you seriously confused here, or are you just trolling? Another example: During the reign of the USSR, the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics, it was common to call citizens of that regime "Russians," even though Russia was but one dominant country in that Union. Being pedantic and insisting on literal interpretation without nuance is the domain of small minds.

Yes i know i'm trying to learn, i wasn't born then i'm sorry, the current way to learn it is not the way you may have learned it and it is confusing, don't insult me please

I'm not being "pedantic" i want to know why it came to be this way

I learned that Mexico is "The United States of Mexico", which exists inside the Americas continent, in the North American region

I learned that U.S. is "The United States of America" which exists inside the Americas continent, in the North American region

An America inside the Americas and two countries named "The United States" but that have decided to call themselves "America" and "Mexico" to avoid confusions while still oficially being called "The United States" and being inside the same continent and while the continent is named "America", just say so it does not make sense it was a dumb choice and all i want to know is how it came to be not criticize it for what it is now, i understand it can't change.

I want to know why it came to be like this

originally posted by: highvein
a reply to: WarriorMH


America was named after Amerigo Vespucci. An explorer among many other things.

en.wikipedia.org...

When I say America, I am usually referring to the U.S. because the U.S is the seat of power in all of America.
I have also used the word America to describe only North America and at times only South America.

Mexico's heritage is well worth learning about. I have always loved learning about the ancient and not so ancient civilizations of the world. One of the reason's I joined ATS. If you ever get a chance, check out some of Slayer69's content in Ancient Civilizations forum. Well worth it. Great question by the way, it made me think for a bit.

Thanks i'm going to look for those posts

It is confusing to me because i previously just assumed everyone was American and then i did not think too much about it but now i just suddenly realized there are lots of things happening with this name and the countries related to it

I used to think that anyone from this continent was American but it is confusing because America is a country but also a continent, so American from where, most people seem to assume the U.S. and then it turns out it is a guy from Guatemala or whatever and he doesn't look "American" at all from how people thing about that word, it is confusing and also maddening because it does not make sense i had explained before

a reply to: WarriorMH

BS!

Ever notice how every other nation like ever, I mean right even in the news everyday, they're all called "state".

Ever heard the term "Failed State"?

Now look at Canada. Canada doesnt have states: they're provinces. But we dont use that term. Is it foreign or something?? No. It's because the "13 Colonies" here at the "Revolution" (rebellion) each were intent to be sovereigns, that happened to be united. Now is that in Mexico's history? I've seriously never even heard that term. Flabbergasted!

You are confused. Maybe due to your lack of education or just trolling.

You want to confuse continental, the political and geopolitical.

With your internet, you are now able to educate yourself. I strongly suggest reading historical, political and geographical books as you seem very confused about the world; both past and modern.

originally posted by: schuyler
Oh, please. Don't be so damned pedantic. Anybody with half a brain knows North America is composed of three countries, Central America a bunch, and South America a bunch more. Do you really intend to pretend to give us a geography lesson here? In common parlance, citizens of the "United States of (North) America" call themselves "Americans." Canadians call themselves "Canadians," oddly enough, and Citizens of the "United Mexican States" call themselves "Mexicans." Are you seriously confused here, or are you just trolling? Another example: During the reign of the USSR, the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics, it was common to call citizens of that regime "Russians," even though Russia was but one dominant country in that Union. Being pedantic and insisting on literal interpretation without nuance is the domain of small minds.

Also i clearly explained that i understand how "The Americas" are formed, by having Canada, the U.S. and Mexico in the north and such, maybe i don't have half a brain but you much less if you fail to read that part, that's exactly why i said no patriotic dumb replies wanted because i wanted a real answer and not just the "because we say so" thing but oh well good for you

If treating me like a dumb fool makes you feel better and smarter than me well i'm glad for you

a reply to: WarriorMH

Very simple.

People from the US are American.

People from the United Mexican States are Mexicans.

People from Canada are Canadian.

Anyone who taught you otherwise is in a serious case of denial or globalist or both.

originally posted by: highvein
When I say America, I am usually referring to the U.S. because the U.S is the seat of power in all of America.

So if Brazil becomes the dominant force here in the New World -whenever-, should, well, argh, lol, what do we call ourselves then?

Murica!

originally posted by: IgnoranceIsntBlisss
a reply to: WarriorMH

BS!

Ever notice how every other nation like ever, I mean right even in the news everyday, they're all called "state".

Ever heard the term "Failed State"?

Now look at Canada. Canada doesnt have states: they're provinces. But we dont use that term. Is it foreign or something?? No. It's because the "13 Colonies" here at the "Revolution" (rebellion) each were intent to be sovereigns, that happened to be united. Now is that in Mexico's history? I've seriously never even heard that term. Flabbergasted!

I never really learned the history because i was lazy to do that, i started thinking about it just today but yes i think it more or less happened the same way in Mexico, i don't know the details i'm sorry i just know that this country is also formed by states that each one has it's own laws and constitution and other things like that so it must be very similar to the U.S. in that way

I know that for example the dollar and the peso are the same thing with different names, same denominations, like 50 cents, one, 2, 5, 10, 20, 50, 100 dollars and so on so yes it looks like more or less the foundation is the same including other things like "States" and each state having its own laws too and i don't know more but there are probably other details like that

a reply to: WarriorMH

Okay if our term'isms were to hold true, "we're" part of the UN. Following the same logic of sovereigns united taking on the name of the federal'esque unity, we should actually be calling ourselves "Nationians" (and so should every other person under the framework). I've never even seen a leftist attempt this logic. LOL

originally posted by: Justso
You are confused. Maybe due to your lack of education or just trolling.

You want to confuse continental, the political and geopolitical.

With your internet, you are now able to educate yourself. I strongly suggest reading historical, political and geographical books as you seem very confused about the world; both past and modern.

Like i said, i looked on the internet and all i found is people ridiculously screaming about patriotic dumb excuses instead of giving a clear explanation

If you don't mind and know why, could you explain the why and not just the "well it is what it is" aspect?

I don't know how political or geopolitical goes into this, the continent was "America" and that's how i read about it and the perception of people is different but only in some places, i know chilean people who call themselves American but also people from the U.S. that get offended and call themselves "American" and i have already explained the reasons why it confuses me

You assume i am from here and that i see the world the way you see it and think that's all that matters and exists?

The world is not always how you think it is

originally posted by: ketsuko
a reply to: WarriorMH

Very simple.

People from the US are American.

People from the United Mexican States are Mexicans.

People from Canada are Canadian.

Anyone who taught you otherwise is in a serious case of denial or globalist or both.

Nobody thought me otherside, you don't understand, seriously this is what i don't like to participate much, people are dense by wish

Explain why, why there is a country named America inside a continent named America and why there are two United Stated countries which are not even called that unless it is very official, except the U.S. which also calls itself U.S.A and America

Who chose those names and why and how come is not fixed and why there are three "Americas" inside the "America" continent and so if everyone is inside "America" how come brasillians are not also just called "Americans" but only people from the U.S.

The reality is that is just dumb and just giving simple explanations like "politics" or whatever is dumb dumb, no one seems to actually know but they all act like it's natural and let's not ask and if you do you must be ignorant

originally posted by: IgnoranceIsntBlisss
a reply to: WarriorMH

Okay if our term'isms were to hold true, "we're" part of the UN. Following the same logic of sovereigns united taking on the name of the federal'esque unity, we should actually be calling ourselves "Nationians" (and so should every other person under the framework). I've never even seen a leftist attempt this logic. LOL

The United Nations? that's not a continent or country or anything like that

You don't live inside the UN, you don't have a UN born certificate or anything like that or do you?