US/UK Magic Relations?

Hello everyone, this is my first post here, so please be gentle.

When Voldemort returned during the events of GOF and OOTP and was starting to gather followers, I noticed something rather peculiar. I was surprised that there wasn't much more international intrigue. It seemed solely linked to Britain and Britain alone. However, given the scale of the threat that Voldemort was, it is clearly a worldwide problem.

That being said, I'm surprised that the U.S. Government's version of the Ministry of Magic (possibly a 'Department of Magic and Supernatural Affairs'?) didn't, as far as we know, offer aide to the British Ministry of Magic during this time, especially given the close alliance between the two nations.

I was wondering if you think if America got involved in the conflict at all, perhaps in a way that JKR has not [yet] spelled out?

Thank you.

Well I think the books are based a lot on World War Two. For example Fudge can be seen as Chamberlain and Scrimgeour to Churchill. World War began in 1939 but the US did not get involved until after it was bombed in December 1941. Voldemort's takeover happened very quickly and smoothly. So getting involved in the conflict would have meant open war against the government. The Order of the Phoenix and the anti-Voldemort effort were all based in Britain. Maybe people in the US took in Muggle-borns who fled but I wouldn't say they got involved. Not even geographicially closer countries like Ireland, France, Germany were involved in the final battle.

I always thought Wizards/Witches only lived in Europe. Why would they emigrate? They arent muggles. I cant see them caring that Christopher Columbus had discovered America.

Ireland was involved through Seamus. France was involved through Fleur.

It says in the books that they live elsewhere including Africa, America and Australia. Anyone could be born a witch/wizard so why could an American Indian not be a wizard, or the child of a European settler etc.

Whilst Voldemort does seem to hae been contained to Britain, I think in the books this is similar to how Grindlewald was described. His influence never fully reached Britain thus most British wizards don't really think much about him or his background.

JKR once said that Voldemort's plan was to first conquer Britain and then move into surrounding areas before taking over the world. Certainly the problems in Britain would have attracted international attention, but there was not a war on a global scale.

And there are definitely Wizards and Witches in other countries. We get a bit of a taste for it in GoF, when the trio see wizards from Africa and a banner proclaiming the "Salem Witches' Institute."

Also lets not forget all the quiditch teams from all the different nations! Victor Krum plays for the bulgaria quiditch team. So there must be wizards in places other than europe.

Also lets not forget all the quiditch teams from all the different nations! Victor Krum plays for the bulgaria quiditch team. So there must be wizards in places other than europe.
Bulgaria is in Europe. ;)
http://kcm.co.kr/bethany/c_maps/bulgaria-1.gif

However, you do make a good point about the Quidditch teams. There are teams in Japan, Africa, South America, and even one in America, according to Quidditch Through The Ages. (Though Americans prefer Quodpot to Quidditch, if I remember correctly! :))

Haha yeah sry my geography is off haha. but its very close to asia so why would there be wizards there but not in countries near by?

Its possible to be magic and not know you are a wizard. Like Harry before Hagrid turned up.

Native American Wizards may have had there own school. But anyway the vast majority of people who emmigrated to America would have been muggles. Some maybe magic without knowing it, so maybe the Native American Wizards trained them.

Europe only has three schools. And if Europe (2nd most populated continent (i think?)) only has three schools then whats that say about everywhere else. To me Europe, Asia and Africa are the main places for magic people.

'A History of Magic' will probably cover stuff like this.

Its possible to be magic and not know you are a wizard. Like Harry before Hagrid turned up.

Native American Wizards may have had there own school. But anyway the vast majority of people who emmigrated to America would have been muggles. Some maybe magic without knowing it, so maybe the Native American Wizards trained them.

Europe only has three schools. And if Europe (2nd most populated continent (i think?)) only has three schools then whats that say about everywhere else. To me Europe, Asia and Africa are the main places for magic people.

'A History of Magic' will probably cover stuff like this.

I agree with u in a way as far as we know a great wizard like Dumbledore could have gone to America and created a wizarding school.

But definatly 'A History of Magic' would help.

I think there are just as many witches and wizards in other parts of the world; JKR just doesn't cover it as much because it isn't her focus. I don't think that Hogwarts, Beauxbatons, and Drumstrang are the only magical schools in Europe, however. When Dumbledore introduces the tournament, he calls them "the leading magical schools in Europe" if I remember correctly, leading one to believe there are other smaller and less prestegious ones, servicing Spain, Italy, etc.

Getting back to the main topic of the thread, international efforts certainly aren't included in the books (besides individual involvement, like that of Krum and Fleur). I certainly could see other countries playing a minor or supporting role, but not very actively - remember that if the government and most of the people of Britain didn't recognize that Voldemort was back until the ending of OotP, other countries certainly wouldn't have before then, might be dubious at the government's sudden turn-around in the summer before HBP, and could very possibly take more than a year to negotiate treaties for assistance.

I agree; the one add-on publication I would most like to see would be "A History of Magic" to cover all of this (the same way Tolkien published so much mythology/history about Middle Earth).

I always thought Wizards/Witches only lived in Europe. Why would they emigrate? They arent muggles. I cant see them caring that Christopher Columbus had discovered America.

Ireland was involved through Seamus. France was involved through Fleur.

Oh wow. Haven't you read GoF?!?!!? The Quidditch WORLD Cup?! Honestly, do you pay attention when you read?! They explain wizard emigration throughout the series. And obviously before European wizards/witches imigrated to the New World there were wizard/witches all around the world. There was Native American wizards, Asian wizards, wizards around the world. They're just like Muggles only magical. They have all sorts of races and live in all sorts of places!! Sheesh, I thought that was obvious.

Anyway, I'm not sure why the MoM didn't have help from US. Obviously Voldemort hadn't been involved in the US much. Perhaps the ministry thought they could handle the threat on their own and didn't want to drag another country into the mess.