I doubt that anything as diffuse as a nation will have a tendency that can be explained in such rational-seeming ways. It's possible that Britain tended towards jealousy towards the dominant continental power, but it is difficult to compare such a theory to reality.
The dominant continental powers have been Rome, France, Germany and Russia. Each have, to put it mildy, their own special characteristics.
* Rome conquered and held on to (most of) Britain.
* France was Britain's neighbour. Each was a potential invader of the other right through the middle ages and most of the modern period.
* Up to 1945, Germany was an extraordinarily belligerent power that made enemies of just about everyone.
* Similarly Britain was a rival of soviet Russia only as part of a broader alliance that went far beyond any attempt at realpolitik.
For all the noise and heat regarding the EU, post cold-war Europe is a remarkably friendly place. By historical standards, there is "against" any more.
The dominant continental powers have been Rome, France, Germany and Russia. Each have, to put it mildy, their own special characteristics.
* Rome conquered and held on to (most of) Britain.
* France was Britain's neighbour. Each was a potential invader of the other right through the middle ages and most of the modern period.
* Up to 1945, Germany was an extraordinarily belligerent power that made enemies of just about everyone.
* Similarly Britain was a rival of soviet Russia only as part of a broader alliance that went far beyond any attempt at realpolitik.
For all the noise and heat regarding the EU, post cold-war Europe is a remarkably friendly place. By historical standards, there is "against" any more.