The difference between "Yank" and "Yankee?"?

Question

I know a lot of other countries like Great Britain, Ireland, Australia, Nz, etc. call Americans "yanks." In America, people from the northern states are sometimes called "yankees" these days, and almost always called that around the Civil War. Is there some relation between these terms?

Also, is the term "yank" supposed to be offensive? I'm pretty sure that for the most part, it isn't, but it doesn't hurt to ask, right?

Answer 1

It might have been used to upset some. Offensive today why should it be. Yank and Yankee are the same thing.

Answer 2

During the Revolutionary War, British Soldiers made up the song "Yankee Doodle" to offend American Soldiers. Now, it's basically a compliment, considering we have a baseball team named the "Yankees". Yank and Yankee are the same.  

Answer 3

Yank or Yankee was a similar term to describe a democrat or a liberal today.. The southerners were called Rebels. The song of the North was " I'm a Yankee Doodle Dandy " and the Song of the south was " DIXIE "