The 55 States of America: U.S. Territories Explained

[@eneruuusan]

I'm from Guam 🇬🇺

[@bluerose143]

SoaR Phoenix Hafa Adai. My mom is also from Guam. I lived there for 2 yes as well. It's such a beautiful island and I couldn't be any more proud of my culture and heritage.

[@chamoruboy6716]

SoaR Phoenix Hafa Adai Chammoro Pride 671

[@redster2249]

Same

[@markmayfield2228]

Hafa Adai

[@markmayfield2228]

Tano y Chouli (Chamorro Houli)

[@justfrank5661]

As a former resident of the Northern Mariana Islands, I thank you for NOT overlooking us. Everyone in America has heard of Guam, but not the NORTHERN MARIANA ISLANDS! LOL

[@someguy23475]

I plan on visiting the CNMI in the next few years, along with a trip to Guam. I agree that you are often overlooked, and it shouldn’t be like that.

[@Dragoncam13]

I heard of the islands by looking in a social studies book

[@SnowBunneh]

I feel the Northern Mariana Islands are beautiful and know of them because of world war two. Also, I feel they deserve to be a state.

[@BrandonHanson]

Being In Saipan was an unforgettable experience. Some of the most gorgeous beaches and some of the nicest people. Never change a thing!

[@3506Dodge]

Some of these are "incorporated" and some are "unincorporated." Only Puerto Rico and the Virgin Islands are incorporated and can petition for statehood.

[@kmarriola1]

Born and raised on Guam 😊

[@hognuts1469]

Must suck . All alone

[@tracy8077]

I was born in Guam, And stared there for 4 yr ❤️

[@heyner_rivera.14]

Yeah, that's why you've got an Spanish last name.

[@Seanjacksonfilms]

Hafa adai

[@aaronm8143]

I really want to go there.

[@frankortiz_HeroDad]

I'm from Puerto Rico, I have heard of the other territories for years, but it's great to know more of our brother territories. It would be good to keep hearing about them.

[@heyner_rivera.14]

¡Tú eres cristiano!. Esos no son tus hermanos. Di ¡NO! al imperialismo expansionista Yankee anglosajón. Larga vida al imperio Hispano.

[@josephfogarty6902]

Frank Ortiz being a Puerto Rican, do you want to be an independent nation (since the majority of the population is Hispanic and their main language is Spanish) or do you want to be the 51st state?

[@king_supreme1102]

Frank Ortiz yeah you guys really are like brothers. Especially you and the Virgin Islands. If you both somehow became states you should be known as the twin states or something.

[@alexwink9533]

I think we should just make the territory’s that actually have a permit population states already cause they have been Territories longer than any state has waited to become a state before I think don’t quote me on that lmao

[@theday2918]

Mira tu apellido y veras que teienes raices hispanas

[@USNVA11]

I consider residents of US territories to be just as American as I am. They are entitled to the same rights as I am in my opinion. If a US territory elects to pursue independence, then we should support the will of their people and guide them into self governance. If the will of their people decides that they wish to pursue statehood, then we should embrace them and assist them into acclimating into the United States of America. United we stand, divided we fall.

[@anthonym3051]

I totally agree with you but it is not happening for political reasons rather than doing the right thing based on the will of the people. There should not be any colonies left in 2019.

[@dejulesb7063]

Thanks for saying that, the only reason that the territory’s don’t have is (in my case Puerto Rico) voting for the president.

[@camrin8375]

I agree with all three of you

[@rudyschwab7709]

No sense in them buying the cow when they can get the milk for free.

[@king_supreme1102]

USNVA11 I get what you are saying. But United we stand doesn’t apply to a non united state. If they chose to become a state, I would be interested in it. However if it won’t be beneficial for both sides it’s probably best to leave it alone.

[@shyryTsr2k]

I'm American from the state of California and I'm upset that we didn't learn about these territories in school! This is really fascinating information and I knew that we had territory off the mainland (not counting Alaska and Hawaii) but I never knew anything about them.

[@skorpion1474]

I did , u didn’t learn good

[@shyryTsr2k]

@@skorpion1474 ok well you're only one person so be quiet.

[@skorpion1474]

@@shyryTsr2k no everyone in my school as well, let’s just say we are around 1000 kids , in high school , you probably had school in the 90’s when it was bad education

[@ghjpkshdgtjdgvbzm]

@@skorpion1474 It’s still bad

[@wilfredotoledo6755]

Somos colonia es por la única razón que le llaman territorio. Suena menos edad de piedra estando en 2021, ya a mi Puerto Rico le han robado todo. Estado, solo si se lo roban como intentaron hacer con su pais.

[@HVLLOW99]

Fun Fact: American Samoa was one of the only places on earth(the only one i'm aware of.) that was not struck by the Spanish Flu of 1918 at all. Not even 1 death.

[@linegrant4605]

American Samoa denied the New Zealand ship that was carrying the infected ppl with the flu to enter the island. So the ship sailed to Western Samoa. That's how that island had alot of ppl got infected and died from that epidemic.

[@madridistaporvida6529]

Damm Spain must be upset

[@itotallygacha4721]

Lol I live on saipan

[@jaizyreedrivera4212]

I Totally Gacha Lol Me Too

[@thegigadykid1]

They lost so much

[@salometipsandtricks2786]

no cursing

[@politicallyinaccuratetoast4757]

🇪🇦: you damn right por favor

[@whaffle1278]

Coming soon! 🇦🇸 - American samoa 🇬🇺 - Guam 🇵🇷 - Puerto Rico 🇲🇵 - northern Mariana islands 🇻🇮 - U.S. virgin islands

[@peoplesrepublicofliberland5606]

@Itz Yanii Nor Statehood.

[@peoplesrepublicofliberland5606]

Bruh. If you declare independence you're not going to keep the American part.

[@TheAmazingRaptor]

@@yeetersnitzel6351 ok dad

[@K3rrJu5t1n]

@whaffle (Geography Now! closing theme plays)

[@TacticusPrime]

People should keep in mind that Wyoming only had 60,000 people when it was admitted as a state in 1890.

[@ltsallwood]

It wasn’t about gaining more people, it was about gaining more territory. The current US territory islands don’t over a lot of land. Places like Guam is already being used for its intended purpose (Military bases) so there is no logical reason to take on the responsibilities of accepting statehood from them.

[@juicykiwi7347]

Nevada had 42,000 people when it became a state.

[@graceneilitz7661]

That was a larger percentage of the US population then. (That and they lied about their population size to better convince Congress to grant statehood.) Nevada did indeed have less people, but it was the middle of the American civil war which called for rushing territories into statehood. And still, Nevada had a greater percentage of the overall US population. I can see it both ways, but no one is helped by people making arguments that ignore details.

[@REALsnstruthers]

Problem: in the US Virgin Islands section, you accidentally used the Dutch flag when labeling the islands known as the Danish West Indies, not the Danish flag. (small mistake but still)

[@435American]

My bad, I guess that's what I get for editing at 3am. Thanks for pointing this out.

[@REALsnstruthers]

No problem sir.

[@devoncantrell2595]

I might mention that it was the Dutch, not the Danes, so the flag was right, but not the name.

[@mandoguy2014]

They were danish, the Dane's sold them to the US in fear of them being taken over by the German army.

[@Ulkomaalainen]

The Dutch were generally more expansive in colonies, including the caribbean, but these islands really were Danish, as can be seen from place names. The capital is Charlotte Amalie after a Danish-Norwegian queen, other places include Christiansted, Frederiksted, Altona (like the place which is now a part of Hamburg in Germany, but was Danish in origin), Lerkenlund, Lilliendahl, Peterborg, Sorgenfri ("free of sorrow") and so on. True, there is also French, English and Spanish sounding names, but a distinct lack of Dutch.

[@piercewilliams6284]

This is a great video. I believe only few people do all these territories at once keep up the great work and again good job.

[@435American]

Thank you, it means a lot.

[@piercewilliams6284]

Morrethy Your welcome, and thank you for for the heart and reply. GOD bless you and have a great day.

[@spartanghost2502]

I'm from Puerto Rico thank you for bringing knowledge about us and our brother islands. Puerto Rico 51st State💪🇺🇸🇵🇷

[@ttv.dabkingyt4646]

Noo

@USA#1 !! if they vote (D) 😂😂😂😂😂

[@LopezBoricua]

Yes we need to be the 51st 😊

[@quirky5630]

Do you wanna know how awkward it would be to fit a 51st star on our flag?

[@LopezBoricua]

@@quirky5630 that's also our flag 🇺🇸🇵🇷

[@ArmandoMPR]

Puerto Rican here with a minor correction: "Commonwealth" isn't a political status. Like you say, even some states refer to themselves in their own constitutions as so. Thus, in the U.S. that term is merely symbolic. In the case of Puerto Rico, it was a 1917 federal law that extended citizenship to everyone born in the island, so it is wrong to associate the laws passed in the early 50's to citizenship. What those laws gave was the foundation for the establishment of a constitution. Other than that, what you said was pretty much spot on.

[@seandubord6654]

your videos are SO good I can't get enough of them trust me one day your channel will be huge.

[@435American]

Thank you, it means a lot. As long as someone enjoys them then I'm happy :)

[@yolandairizarry3204]

Puerto Rico was Borinquén.

[@roxanne9781]

Guam! I live in Guam lol.

[@Seanjacksonfilms]

Hafa adai

[@laurapawli9773]

Well good for you. Lived there for

[@laurapawli9773]

23 years.

[@sebasvinylclub]

I’m Puerto Rican 🇵🇷🇵🇷🇵🇷

[@catluva74]

Do you need more paper towels?

[@3brothers1sisterproduction32]

Ayyyyyyy me too

[@JohnJohnson-oe3ot]

cat luva can’t wiat till trumptards are gone - only about 17 more months and trumps ass is out the door

[@Miguel-ot6qp]

@@JohnJohnson-oe3ot, 17 months? ad to it 4 more years

[@NateDumbout]

cat luva you made yourself sound really ignorant just letting you know 🤦‍♂️🤦‍♂️👎👎👎👏👏👏

[@memestrokerxd1824]

I'm from Puerto Rico

[@Eszlee]

Wow... this is an excellent video description. Thanks for taking the time to explain this. It's very enlightening & interesting. :)

[@435American]

Thank you, that means a lot.

[@spencerking2692]

You used the Dutch flag on USVI instead of the Danish flag. The Dutch flag is 🇳🇱 while the Danish flag is 🇩🇰

[@435American]

Yes, multiple people have commented that. That was a stupid mistake on my part.

[@DavidrKun]

LOL

[@johnaycock2590]

you mean the dutch flag is not the flag of dutchmark

[@mng3941]

Some people mix them up. I have no idea how, but they are. Maybe because of the “similarities” of their denonyms (I may have spelt that wrong?)?

[@blackpinksdiscography100]

🇩🇰 DONKEY KONG!!!!!!!!!

[@Jordan-22222]

American Samoans are technically US Nationals, not full citizens. In spite of this the Islands have a higher rate of military service than most states, hopefully they will gain full citizenship and all the territories and DC will be given the option to become states should they so choose

[@graceneilitz7661]

Read up on American Samoa. The vast majority of American Samoans want to keep their current status.

[@sparkysprokets7912]

10:43 You used the dutch flag for the danish west indies

[@softshellturtle9143]

P.S. Hafa dai from the Northern Marianas Islands 🖑🏼🖑🏼

[@435American]

Awesome, don't think I've had any commenters from the Northern Marianas in the past! Thanks for the support!

[@traveljibaro9325]

You forgot to mentioned that federal taxes apply to Puerto Rico in some cases and federal taxation for benefits are paid on payrolls. Also forgot to mention the Jones Act and how “Ley de Cabotaje” milks the island in many ways making it worst than income taxation. Good video though. I’m from Illinois as well...

[@TheSecondgreen]

I wonder if Puerto Rico would become a US state would U.S. Virgin Islands considers to just joined them in a unified state government. Because they are so close and the Virgin Islands don't have the population for statehood

[@435American]

I could see that both ways. On one hand, they'd be granted the same rights as an American living in the 50 states, but on the other they'd basically be governed by Puerto Ricans (because Puerto Rico obviously would have more seats in the state legislature). Interesting question though, hopefully one day they will become states in one way or another.

[@TheSecondgreen]

Morrethy thanks for the answer. Nice video quality for a small channel. I wish you the best of luck.

[@435American]

Thank you :)

[@TheSecondgreen]

LatinASSAZZIN So keep being a property of the US... ok.

[@435American]

You're entitled to your opinion, but I personally would rather pay taxes than not have a say in my government. That's an interesting conversation to be had, though.

[@rhsdinful]

This channel has great potential, the video editing and presentation is very good 👍🏽 Keep it up

[@435American]

Thank you!

[@Hand-in-Shot_Productions]

The flags may have been off at times, but I found this video informative! Thanks for reminding us mainlanders of our territories! Subscribed!

[@Finnius_Prime]

You never really see videos on the territories let alone feature my home of American Samoa. Awesome video

[@robertortiz-wilson1588]

I found this to be a very delightful overview, thank you! Feels me with such warmth.

[@heyner_rivera.14]

*55 states comming soon :* 🇦🇸 *- American Samoa* 🇬🇺 *- Guam* 🇲🇵 *- Northern Mariana Islands* 🇵🇷 *- Puerto Rico* 🇻🇮 *- U.S Virgin Islands*

[@BrisasDelCampo888]

Very True! You Forgot Washington D.C. #ChampionShipStyleGoldenSupreme #InChampionShipWeTrust #GBFIRSTNYC Washington DC Could Become A State But It Is Unlikely That The US Congress Will Approve Such A Move. The US Congress Knows That Giving Too Much Power To Washington DC Would Make It Stand Up To The Federal Government. Wait A Minute! Isn't That What All States Are Meant To Do. Fight For What They Believe Is Right. That Is To Provide Every Citizen With Rights, Jobs, Housing, Health Care, And Have Them Pay Taxes To Support The American Government. PS: Washington DC Will Not Become A State Anytime Soon. #GBFIRSTNYC

[@BrisasDelCampo888]

Greenland Actually Belongs To Denmark.

[@pinkslash2340]

CHAMPIONSHIP SPORTS SUPERSTAR NETWORK He’s referring to Denmark wanting to sell Greenland and the US having interest in it’s purchase.

[@BrisasDelCampo888]

@@pinkslash2340 Ok. That Sounds Great. Although Greenland "Even If Bought By The USA" Will Never Become A State But Rather A National Park. It Would Be Great If Denmark Sells It, But Chances Are That It Will Not. Besides The EU Has The Final Say In The Matter And Then The US Congress Must Approve The Bill In Order To Become A Territory First. #GBFIRSTNYC PS: Look At Alaska And Hawaii. They Both Became States Parallel To One Another. If Puerto Rico Is Accepted As A State They Need To Balance The Equation According To Them. There Is Not A Territory With As Many People As Puerto Rico. In Fact Puerto Rico Has A Bigger Population Than All The Territories Combined. #ChampionShipStyleGoldenSupreme #InChampionShipWeTrust #GBFIRSTNYC O.L.T. In Addition, The Archipelago Of Puerto Rico With 3.4 Million Citizens Has A Population Bigger Than 20 American States. Exactly, Puerto Rico Has Always Been A Swing State, But Donald J. Trump Fears That Giving Too Much Power To Puerto Rico By Becoming A State All Of A Sudden All The Voters Would Become Democrats. This Is Ridiculous Thinking. We Have Always Selected The Best Governor Whether Democrat Or Republican. That Will Never Change. As A State Puerto Rico Will Be A Swing State. The Reason Why Trump Is Angry With Puerto Rico Is Because He Was A Major Contributor To The $74 Billion Deficit. The Same Thing That Happened To Puerto Rico When Trump Sold All His Properties Happened In Atlantic City When He Sold All His Casinoes. Trump Uses The Bankuptcy Process To Enrich Himself While His Former Properties Are Doomed To Fail. In Other Words, Trump Dealings Are Self Destructive Once He No Longer Controls Them. The Question Is Why This Happens? Is It A Billionaire Conspiracy For Them To Get Richer While The Rest Endures The Consequences? That Is Precisely What Is Happening. A.L.T. Puerto Rico Voted For Hillary Clinton Because What Trump Did To Puerto Rico Once As Owner Of Golf Courses "Which He Doomed To Fail" Was Unacceptable To Most Puerto Ricans. Of Course, Trump Is One Of A Kind. Of Course, That Brings Up His Potential Dealings With The Electoral College Which He Won. Wait A Minute Won? Perhaps The Word Bought Might Be A Better Description. Of Course, Who Is ChampionShip Sports To Argue With Destiny? (Even If That Destiny Is Tainted With Donald J. Trump's Fingerprints.) A Billionaire Will Do What A Billionaire Has To Do To Remain So Forever. Yes Indeed! Destiny Is Cruel! Welcome To Capitalism 101. The Ultra Rich Gets Richer While The Ultra Poor Gets Poorer. How Ironic? The Government Set In Place By The Founding Fathers Is Being Mastered By The Last Founding Father "Donald J. Trump", The Little Billionaire That Could. #ChampionShipStyleGoldenSupreme #InChampionShipWeTrust #GBFIRSTNYC

[@dirktween244]

At this point ? Either they get voting rights, or they are gone. IF they do get voting rights: they are likely to vote for the government that granted them these rights.

[@Missle1001]

What if you were born April 10, 1899 in Guam? You missed out on citizenship by a day!

[@billsummy2412]

It would be awesome to see the US flag with 55 stars.... :-)

[@billsummy2412]

and they lost ...

[@BrisasDelCampo888]

Indeed It Would Be Awesome But It Will Never Happen In Our Lifetimes. These Future States Don't Have A Big Enough Population And There Is Not A Realistic Chance For Congress To Approve Them. The Most Populated Place Is Puerto Rico And 3.5 Million Would Provide Disadvantages To The Republican Party Although Puerto Rico Has Always Been A Swing State And The Same Could Be Said Of The Democratic Party. As A Swing State, Puerto Rico Would Be The Edge USA Needs. It Would Definitely Be A Game Changer. #ChampionShipStyleGoldenSupreme #InChampionShipWeTrust #GBFIRSTNYC

[@K3rrJu5t1n]

@@BrisasDelCampo888 or that split the island in two

[@Lohpe]

I love how Saipan mimics the east of the U.S. a little lol

[@kxena2913]

AYYYY SAIPAN I was born there and all of my family is there but I’m trying to learn more about it so this is helpful and thanks

[@latingold23]

This was so well made I was sad when the video ended

[@435American]

I appreciate it 😅

[@stevensanders9219]

Very informative man. Great job! Its good enough that ill subscribe 😉😀

[@435American]

Thanks!

[@softshellturtle9143]

This deserves more views!!

[@ElCaciqueWillo]

correction,puerto Rico pay Federal Taxes, the only tax they dont pay is individual inome tax. everything else from payroll tax to the jones act, we pay doble the amount of taxes

[@nurlindafsihotang49]

why the hell you stayed like that? US tried that shit with us, indonesia in 45-66. we fought them US, Netherlands, Brittish, etc with sharpens bamboo and poor logistic and we managed to be indepence. so does vietnam. why the hell you let yourselves being slaved almost 100 years?.

[@reecerobin8413]

Nurlinda F Sihotang Its hardly slavery when they get $20 billion a year from the federal government.

Why? Guam does not.

[@josecaraballo6326]

Nurlinda F Sihotang YEAH WE NEED PEOPLE LIKE YOU, LIKE VIETNAM LIKE PANAMA.

[@dirossellases7375]

The island pays billions of dollars in Federal Taxes annually.

[@leafeq2963]

Thank you for this educational video -OUTSTANDING!

[@rhodium1096]

And most of all States of USA were part of Spain ...California, Nevada, Texas, New Mexico, Florida, Montana, Arizona,Luisiana ,Alaska ( Puerto Valdez, Cordova),Oregon ( Arroyo del Oregon-Ciudad Real Spain),Colorado, Alabama, Missisipi, Georgia,North and South Caroline Kansas ( Francisco Vazquez de Coronado and later took by France), Misuri( by agreement with France), Tenesse( Hernando de Soto explorer)..

[@teesha3221]

*Tennessee * Mississippi * *Louisiana *North Carolina *Missouri

[@samaltarazi5452]

Very good and informative video. Hope you make more so I can enjoy watching them! Keep it up!👍

[@435American]

Thanks!

[@chadgray5872]

Thanks for sharing, it's a shame we don't learn about the territories in American History classes here in the USA.

[@wininspn]

Thanks for the video. Correction: Chalan Kanoa is *not* and has not been the capital of the Northern Marianas for decades. Basically, the island of Saipan is the capital of the NMI (CNMI), with important government buildings located in the villages of Susupe and Capital Hill.

[@francisvaofanua6947]

First of all, it is not simply because CONGRESS HASN’T DONE ANYTHING ABOUT American Samoa. The Samoan people prefer to have themselves as unorganized and unincorporated. We get to keep our lands and our culture is thriving unlike other islands that have become states like Hawaii with their culture barely surviving.

[@Lord_Skeptic]

10:33 did you get the flag wrong or did you misspeak

[@wellfindheavenineachother]

Hello from Puerto Rico!!!

[@BengalGuy77]

1:19 That's not the District of Columbia. Arlington is not apart of D.C.

[@huntermcknight4176]

There’s a factual error at 10:33, the flag shown hoisted is that of the Netherlands (Dutch) 🇳🇱 , but it should be Denmark’s (Danish) 🇩🇰. Other than that, good work my friend. Former USVI resident here. 🇻🇮

[@flamingoxe5984]

hello! current resident of the usvi (st croix)

[@alivewithpassion]

Great video!

[@435American]

Thank you 😁

[@DavidHillbrand]

I lived in Guam for nearly 2 years between the ages of one and three (my dad was in the US Nay and was stationed there at the time)

[@arknova7602]

Love from CNMI!

[@hardlineamerican8495]

If these territories were to become states, I think the Pacific territories might unify into a greater Pacific state that could possibly include Hawaii while the U.S. Virgin Islands may join Puerto Rico if given statehood.

[@porsche911sbs]

They are too culturally, ethnically, and historically different for that to happen anytime soon. A united Puerto Rico and Virgin Islands would be dominated by Puerto Ricans, and Virgin Islanders wouldn't tolerate that lack of autonomy. American Samoa is a Polynesian island, and has a significantly different society and culture than the Micronesian Mariana Islands (Guam and CNMI). If Guam, CNMI, and AS unified, it would be dominated by the Micronesian islands, which AS wouldn't tolerate, while if they both folded into Hawaii, the Hawaiians would utterly dominated the smaller western islands, which they wouldn't tolerate. Back in the middle/late part of the 20th century the Northern Marianas tried to unify with Guam, but Guam refused. Even though Guam had a much larger population and would have dominated the northern islands politically, they had already spread too far apart culturally, and many Guamanians resented the northerners for their perceived complicity in Japanese wartime oppression.

[@OpinionesDeJACCsOpinions]

The Mariana Islands are like 2000 I'm from Hawai’i! That's ludicrous for it to be all one state! If Guam and CNMI ever make up, the together they should become one state, but not separate.

[@BrisasDelCampo888]

Hawaii Is Already A State. The Northern Mariana Islands, Puerto Rico, Guam, And The American Samoa Will Not Become States In The Nearby Future Although If 90% Of Puerto Ricans Want Statehood In The Next Referendum Trump Might Change His Mind If The House Approves It With A Convincing Majority And The Senate Vote Might Be Skipped. Donald J. Trump Is Completely Radical And He Will Do Whatever He Wants Whe He Has The Total Power. Some Of His Radical And Most Successful Moves (Yet Controversial) Could Be The Funding For The Border Wall (Mexico Was Supposed To Pay For It), The Space Force, The Pipe Line Under The Native American Nation (Reservation), And The Border Wall That Will Divide An Indigenous Nation Between United States And Mexico. Clearly, Trump Could Make Puerto Rico A State But The Puerto Rican People Must Want It With A Convincing Majority. Trump Will Be The Last Founding Father, And The Greatest President Ever. The Art Of The Deal Is His Major Source Of Knowledge And That Was The Book That The Trump University Gave Students For Free In His Real Estate Seminars. The Art Of The Deal Is The Perfect Example (The Major Source) For His Excellent Success Stories The First Three Years. #ChampionShipStyleGoldenSupreme #InChampionShipWeTrust #GBFIRSTNYC PS: Trump Could Also Combine The Bahamas And Puerto Rico Into One State, And All The Pacific Islands Into Another State. That Is The Northern Mariana Islands, American Samoa, And All The Pacific Islands That Are Inhabited Into The United Islands State Of The Pacific Ocean. It Could Definitely Work. #ChampionShipStyleGoldenSupreme #InChampionShipWeTrust #GBFIRSTNYC

[@snacking5908]

As a Virgin Islander, I’d like to respond to this idea with an unequivocal “HELL NO!”

[@K3rrJu5t1n]

If all of the five territories were united, it would be dominated by Puerto Rico economically and politically, which other territories won't accept and that would assimilate them into Spanish culture while the USVI was Taino-Danish, Guam was Chamorro-American, NMI was Filipino-Chamorro-Carolinian-American and American Samoa was Samoan, they would oppose such a single state with a Spanish island of 3.194 million compared to them just 387,827 combined. Making them a part of a closer existing state like Guam, NMI & American Samoa for Hawaii while Puerto Rico & US VI for Florida was also difficult since they would have a hard time keeping their culture while being a part of a state. So................................yeah, they're better off being a territory

[@KeithBarnesLife]

As an American, I strongly feel like all these territories should be able to become states immediately (if they want to).

[@Dangic23]

Thanks for using the proper word Colony. I know it hurts some people's feelings...but it's the definition of what they are.

[@gaiusjuliuscaesar4256]

It depends which territories you are talking about. If you are talking about the US Virgin Islands, Guam and American Samoa, then you are correct. However, Puerto Rico and the Northern Marianas are commonwealths with autonomy, for these territories, "colony" would be the incorrect term.

[@Dangic23]

@@gaiusjuliuscaesar4256 All 5 are Unincorporated Territories of the US. Some have more local control than their peers, but all 5 are Colonies. There is no such thing as Commonwealth. That is just a name with no legal attributes.

[@gaiusjuliuscaesar4256]

@@Dangic23 Are you joking? Commonwealth is a word recognised to have legal attributes by the UN. Lets take a look at the Belgian Congo, for example. It had no autonomy, and therefore it was a colony. However, take New Caledonia, for example, which has a very high level of autonomy. The former is a colony, the latter is a commonwealth. Dispute this as you may, but in the end you will be arguing with facts.

[@Dangic23]

@@gaiusjuliuscaesar4256 In the US Constitution, it has zero meaning. It's only a name that some States use. In the UK system, it does mean something...... Free....but not completely free. The 5 Unincorporated Territories are not sovereign, and are not States of the union. That limbo status is what makes them Colonies, as a description of their political relationship with the owner of the territory... USA. Yes....naming convention is used to mask this fact. But if the land is not fully annexed, or sovereign, then its a Colony.

[@gaiusjuliuscaesar4256]

@@Dangic23 Here is a fun fact: Definitions of words do not change wherever you go in the world. Therefore the word "commonwealth" means the same political status regardless if you live in the UK or the US. It is defined by the UN special committee for decolonisation. This is not a word to mask a colony, but a word to differentiate from a colony. Get your facts right. I don't quite get why you are referencing the Constitution because that was never mentioned by you or me. These lands are fully annexed, while not incorporated. It is possible to annex without them being entirely incorporated into a country. Just know that you may not change definitions to your will. Definitions are as they are. They cannot be changed. And you are bending the definition of colony and commonwealth to do your bidding.

[@Jeiss_V]

omg i thought this channel had 80,000 subs at least bc the video was so good. KEEP GOING!

[@435American]

Thanks for the support!

[@king_supreme1102]

Didn’t know the Virgin Islands were so close to Puerto Rico. Might as well be called Rico’s little brother.

[@yeetersnitzel6351]

@Adrian Perez Mendez your not funny

[@yeetersnitzel6351]

@Adrian Perez Mendez No but you need to know also I dont fucking care if you didnt ask I stated my opinion so fucking deal with it.

[@flamingoxe5984]

We are so much different from puerto rico. almost everyone here speaks english and a lot less population with a lot less economic issues

[@EzraTillman1]

Thank for this video! It has a lot of information I didn't know. I will be showing it to my class today.

[@royyark2896]

Training to be a Secret service agent, i just love the US and wish sweden was like it. YOU HELPED ME WITH MY SS TITLE AND CITIZEN SHIP

[@JaKingScomez]

Very impressive good luck as an SS. Also Is Sweden as irrational as I heard where they frown upon masculinity or is it just dramatic.

[@royyark2896]

Zify m. Om du inte kommer att säga något anständigt så säg inte det

[@dalton9138]

i wanna go to sverige 🇸🇪

[@SpockBorg5]

how come midway is not part of hawaii if it's part of the hawaii chain?

[@daltonmiller5590]

Not enough support for this quality content. :)

[@435American]

Thanks, that means a lot!

[@scanlypankies3586]

I like what you’re doing here. Though the flag mixups are jarring and make me doubt the other information you presented. Also, your explanation that a commonwealth is a state in all but name is confusing when you bring in Virginia, Massachusetts etc, which clearly are “states” but don’t really explain clearly what they have to do with Puerto Rico which isn’t at this time a “state.” The stock audio is unfortunately overly familiar but that’s my smallest quibble. Thanks for making this, it looks like it took many hours.I look forward to your future videos (which I imagine will get more ironed out as you go, like anything) and I am subscribing.

[@435American]

Thanks for the criticism and support, it's appreciated.

[@tonysuarez4197]

Lots of errors in the Puerto Rico section. (edited for clarity and with citations, and corrections) 1) Commonwealth status of Puerto Rico has absolutely nothing to do or in common with the 4 Commonwealth states. "Commonwealth" in this context was meant to be more like a compact of free association similar to Commonwealth countries of the United Kingdom. This was meant to give Puerto Rico some autonomy. In Spanish Puerto Rico calls itself a "free associated state." In this context the word "state" means more "country" than a state of the US. Think of the "member states" of the U.N. Puerto Rico really has no rights that Congress doesn't grant it since Puerto Rico is held under the Territories Clause of the Constitution of the US. This has been the argument for the pro statehood and independence parties against the status quo party on the island for decades. However just recently the US Supreme Court has affirmed that Puerto Rico has no rights AT ALL except those granted by Congress. See Puerto Rico vs Sanchez Valle (2017) www.scotusblog.com/case-files/cases/puerto-rico-v-sanchez-valle/ Congress can change what rights are granted to Puerto Rico at their whim. 2) Puerto Rican residents do not pay federal INCOME tax on certain income earned in Puerto Rico, but they still play a TON of taxes to the federal government (over 4 BILLION dollars last year). Not all income is exempt from federal income tax. In addition Puerto Rico receives a fraction of what it would in federal dollars than it would as a state. Again this has nothing to do with the commonwealth status which is nothing more than a made-up name according to the US Supreme Court. The exemption is due to the tax code passed by Congress 26 U.S. Code § 933. 3) People born on Puerto Rico since July 25, 1898 are citizens of the US due to the Jones-Shafrorth Act of 1917 (simply known as "The Jones Act of 1917"), not due to any status of the island. The reason for the act was two-fold. a) the US was in the process of buying the Danish (not Dutch--you showed the wrong flag in the video) Virgin Islands. A condition of the sale was that Puerto Ricans be granted citizenship. and b) The US was about the enter WW1 and needed an excuse to draft residents of Puerto Rico in the the US army. Text here: puertorico51.com/wiki/index.php?title=Jones_Act_of_1917 4) Puerto Rico has a Resident Commissioner in Congress (specifically the HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES, not the Senate), not because of Commonwealth Status, but because Congress has decided to allow Delegates from ALL the inhabited territories. The rules change on what the Resident Commissioner or Delegates can do in Congress with each new Congress, but sometimes they do get a vote. In the last Congress (114th) RC/Delegates could vote on resolutions, but their vote could not be the deciding vote on a tie or sway the result of the vote if the 5 ROs voted in a block. IE--- The votes don't count! Puerto Rico's Resident Commissioner and delegates from the 4 other occupied territories can currently vote in committee, but not the committee of the whole (House floor votes).(115th Congress). Puerto Rico has had a resident commissioner in the U.S. House since the US Military relinquished control of Puerto Rico to Civilian (not local) control in 1900. See: clerk.house.gov/member_info/memberfaq.aspx 5) Finally on another subject. The N with the ~ on top (Ñ) is called an enye. This is a distinct and different letter than the N in Spanish. The Ñ has a different sound. The English equivalent is similar to an "ny" like in Canyon. There is a canyon in Cañon, Colorado. Both words sound the same. The first governor of Puerto Rico elected by Puerto Ricans was Luis Muñoz Marín, (looEES moon-YOSS mahREEN. not LOOis MOONos MARin) No es lo mismo sin la ñ. (it's not the same without the ñ) Feliz año nuevo = Happy New Year Feliz ano nuevo = Happy new anus!

[@435American]

Thanks for pointing these out, my sources must've been incorrect (except the Danish flag error I made). I'll add some of these to the description once I have access to my actual computer.

[@tonysuarez4197]

Thanks for the reply. I edited my original post to fix some of my own errors and grammar, add some additional info and citations to laws, rules and Supreme Court rulings. Thanks for the great video.

[@luiyo2155]

Tony Suarez statehood for PR.

[@tonysuarez4197]

@@luisviera6347 Well thought-out argument there, Luis. Who can argue with logic like that. LOL

[@K3rrJu5t1n]

@@435American yo you didn't talk about Guantanamo Bay

[@cesarperez970]

Very informative.👍 There is not enough information about the islands.

[@jeffreycruz1667]

There were even carolinians in saipan too and chalan kanoa is NOT the capitol its garapan

[@porsche911sbs]

Garapan is the largest village, not the capital. The seat of government, where the administrative buildings are located, are actually in the Village of Capitol Hill.

[@futbolfeats6230]

10:48 I believe you said Danish multiple times although showing the flag of Holland.

[@le_Gay]

Why did you use the Dutch Flag for the the Danish West Indies?

[@435American]

That was a dumb mistake I made.

[@pacificnorthwest3111]

Finally a video to educate those who don’t know their history or just didn’t pay enough attention during their history class.

[@jw5212]

That's why I'm here

[@CHAM0RRITO]

The USA did NOT own the islands. They simply administered the islands. All of the islands of the Trust Territory were administered by the USA. The residents of the Northern Marianas then voted to join the USA. All the other islands in the Trust Territory could have voted to join the USA, but they voted to become independent nations instead. Perhaps you should revise your commentary. Peace!

[@435American]

Thanks for pointing this out, added a note about it in the description.

[@ajatalig3687]

Hafa' Adai

If the usa was not taking care of the N. Marianas islands, they'd want to join the usa FAST. They have no military and not much money.

[@semiretired86]

that's wrong the Virgin Islands were bought from Denmark in 1917

[@gamingislife3332]

They’re own period

[@adamwithers]

Love the Video. HOW did you do that Google Earth to road view @ 0:39???

[@435American]

The capitol building was a 3D model in Google Earth at the time this was recorded. I simply set a pin on the ground looking at the capitol building and one on over the continental U.S. Unfortunately, the capitol building 3D model isn't in Google Earth anymore (wish I knew why), but most other cities can be viewed in 3D. Hope that makes sense, it isn't very complicated, just hard to explain.

[@andrews3545]

They should all be states. We can learn so much from these different cultures and histories.

[@435American]

I definitely think they should be too, but I don't see it happening any time in the near future. Puerto Rico is the best candidate but it's financial status is off putting. If they can't be states the government needs to give them the same rights that the majority of Americans have.

[@andrews3545]

well one of the major things keeping Puerto Rico back is the whole crippling debt thing. Personally the thing I'd like to see if and when it does become a state are space programs launching from there. If I remember my science classes right being closer to the equator the easier/cheaper it is to launch. Puerto Rico has so much potential considering its basically a tropical island.

[@435American]

Yeah, I believe the closer to the equator the better because the spin of the Earth provides extra speed. Not sure if shipping everything to PR would be efficient, but it would certainly be a good way to help the economy.

[@dmoran1093]

Andrew Stansbury most of these territories are naval bases or tourists attractions and have very little population

[@j0gatu]

Honestly? Leave the Pacific Islands out of statehood. Look at the mess Hawai'i is in. As they say, history repeats itself, and looking at how shitty America has treated Pacific Islands, i'd rather us NOT become a state. Now i can't speak for a lot of other territories, but life on our islands have been getting harder since the American lifestyle has been introduced to our islands. We can barely live comfortably with how much people live on our islands now, so imagine how its going to be if we become states. Not the smartest decision. Now, us becoming states would most definitely benefit America, but you have to look at the idea through the eyes of the people who actually live there.

[@priscillatudela5892]

I am from Northern Marianas. Thks for video it. Saipan.

[@tylervillacrusis9963]

Hafa Adai I am from Saipan, Northern Mariana Island🇲🇵

[@fernandakashima4344]

Great video! Love from Brazil :)

[@omegaman1409]

My fave is the Samoa island. Many wrestlers came from there even the Rock Johnson has roots there.

[@greatlawlreichpersonal]

Interesting video.

[@Infelsinave]

European countries to the world: “this is your house? Now it OURS!”

[@patrickrazberry]

I have been looking fore more geography videos. Glad i found u

[@435American]

Thanks for the support!

[@sheldonoestreichandrada9307]

do one on the philippines joining america!! i heard that they almost did waaaay back in the day and i would want to know how it would be if they did today(: thank you i looove your videosz

[@435American]

Wrote that down for a future video, that's a good idea. Thanks for watching!

[@nurlindafsihotang49]

joins? wanna be slapped? spain SOLD phillipine to US

They would be about 1/5 of the us population if it did happen. USA does have a lot of filippinos anyhow. Good people.

[@thebes118]

Nurlinda F Sihotang They lost it after the war.

[@thebes118]

Van Arsdale That's why the U.S. did not want them to become a state due to the large population. Not right of course, but that was the reasoning at the time.

[@pubgmobilesaipangaming2381]

13:12 my place north mariana island saipan

[@laylowxalex]

I'm from PR

[@arne.munther]

Please get the flags right. Its not the Danish flag you show at 10:45, but the Dutch. :( (Danish flag is a white cross on a red background. How hard is it to do a search of Danish flag ?!?!?)

[@TownofJezza]

12:38 that's not a german flag, it's an old german reich flag

[@435American]

Yes, that was the flag of Germany in 1899, the time period I was referring to. I (for the most part) use the historical flags of countries when referring to their historical actions.

[@eltigre249]

@4:00 you say 1868 but show 1863.

[@imrustyokay]

To be honest, I see Guam as being the 51st state.

[@thegigadykid1]

It should stay a territory

[@JudithSanchez-ht6jn]

Rusty Ralston are you crazy? Puerto Rico 🇵🇷 better population at least 3 million citizens of USA, they fought in WW1 WW2 Korea Vietnam Irak alfaganistan and still there, there in Germany in all countries that has invaded among. Do you know? I thin no

[@quetomann9366]

Puerto Rico or D.C. are more likly to be first

[@judithauguste6995]

Me too

[@gianas9364]

@@JudithSanchez-ht6jn I get that but so did the people of Guam, in 1600's(or 1500's) we( the chamorros) were slaves for the spainords and I believe your people too. In the 1940's we were enslaved to the Japanese people, killed for no reason, women and children raped, and the men had to dig ditches for the Japanese to fight against the Americans. After the war we still had no rights. The people of Guam ( and if I recall Puerto Ricans too) can not vote in government. We can vote for a delegate but we basically have no voice. Chamorro people have fought in ww2, Afghanistan, Iraq, vietnam, and the korean War. I'm guessing you don't know this but the most of the natives on Guam are mad that the military is taking up the most beautiful places on guam, and turning them into bases. My uncle owns a small beach area up North where a air Force base is located. In the 1970's or 80's, he was held at gun point from the military people and had to show that he owns the land and everything. There was even a protest about how the military took land. The government tried to pay my family back around 10¢( something near that) per square feet, and we refused. So Guam has some horrible history too. Please do not forget That. I say all occupied territories should be a state or have state rights.

[@The_Aligor]

The territories are also considered a country by its self as well

[@OfficialFireDragon]

Puerto Rico should become its own independent country. US economic restrictions have severely damaged our economy, and depending on the federal government hasn't improved our situation at all. Also, I would like to point out a few things. When the U.S. invaded, they were not met with little resistance, just because the US had a superior army does not mean our people let them invade without question. We are not a commonwealth like you stated, we are a "free associated state" or "Estado Libre Asosciado"; a self-governing territory that has to abide to the federal government. In 5:31 , we do not have free trade. The Merchant Marines Act is notoriously protectionist seeing we can only trade freely with the US, but not with other countries.

[@halo45600]

Thank you for taking the time out of your day for reading my completely unnecessarily long username Independence for Puerto Rico would likely put it directly in the shitter. The only way for it to get rid of the restrictions on trade would be to become a state. Much better alternative.

[@OfficialFireDragon]

On the contrary, while many do depend on the federal government for money, that isn't a path to economic growth. Being a colony or state would still maintain the federal economic restrictions that are ruining the economy. No, statehood doesn't remove trade restrictions, that would only increase them. Independence fully removes all fed. trade restrictions. I would hope the government would have free trade.

[@GlobalGaming101]

You think Puerto Rico would better off independent? Most residents disagree with you?

[@OfficialFireDragon]

GlobalGaming101 And?

[@gametroxide]

Dude you just wanna fuck Puerto Rico right? Because the true reality of having an independence is that the island is going to become desolated (since we all want the US citizenship and same rights as the mainland and having independence is gonna migrate almost 90% of the population into the mainland since the "Independence for Puerto Rico" Party is less than Puerto Rico's 5% of the population) and our massive $70+ Billion debt is just gonna crush us into our roots. How do you expect us to pay? At least becoming a state we can apply for bankruptcy protection laws which is going to alleviate our financial problem and will let us trade with other countries. I bet you want Puerto Rico to become independent but you don't want to lose your US passport and citizenship, right? If you want us to be Independent, go be the example and give up your US citizenship and throw away your passport and let's see how you handle that since almost everyone will disagree with you. Go ahead, be independent yourself. GO!

[@superify]

Actually, there are 14 island territories, not 13. You showed all 9 uninhabited ones at 0:20.

[@435American]

Huh, don't know how that slipped by when writing the script. Thanks for pointing this out.

[@K3rrJu5t1n]

one inland territory tho: G u a n t a n a m o B a y

[@tyneggs3792]

Nice Presentation. I am from the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands There are two groups of peoples when considering our home. The first you mention, Chamorros, and second the Refaluwasch (or Carolinians). We have 3 official languages two being those said groups of people and English. Again, good try.

[@435American]

Ty Neggs Interesting, I was aware of the Chamorro people but have never heard of the Refaluwasch people. Thanks for the insight!

[@arielroselizama2138]

That's because if you look at the history, they are not the natives of Saipan. Carolinians are immigrants to Saipan when they were almost massed murdered on their own island by the Spanish back in the 19th century. So the official language of Saipan would only be Chamorro and English.

[@3506Dodge]

"good try"? Meowwww!

[@porsche911sbs]

@@arielroselizama2138 That's not true. The Carolinian were evacuated by the Spanish to Saipan and Tinian when a typhoon ravaged their home islands. And while their is sometimes ethnic tension between Chomorro and Carolinians, the Chomorro largely respect the Carolinian language and its *official* status in the CNMI.

[@surfer8018]

@@porsche911sbs based on history the Carolinians werent evacuated by the Spanish but instead sailed to CNMI due to typhoon. First stopping in Guam to get permission from Spanish governor.

[@Crick1952]

11:00 Do you mean Danish or Dutch?

[@ryanvicente9072]

I think one thing you could've mentioned about the Northern Marianas is that the Enola Gay (the plane that bombed hiroshima and nagasaki) came from the island of tinian. I'm from Saipan btw 😎😂

[@porsche911sbs]

You are correct, Tinian holds a very central place in one of the most important events in human history, except the Fat Man, the bomb that fell on Nagasaki, was dropped by the _Bockscar._ The _Enola Gay_ was only involved in the bombing of Hiroshima.

[@janvanleuven3527]

Interesting, but some of your flags are incorrect. The Danish, the German and the Dutch when used in the text.

[@kyledavis4202]

Let’s just make all of these places states. 55 is a nice number and these people are American, as far as I am concerned. Also I am admittedly the type of person who does not like ambiguity. I don’t think we should have “territories” or “dependencies.” Either you should be a state or not. In or out. Also, admitting these territories as states (complete with full representation in Congress and the Electoral College) would help push back agains the popular narrative that America is racist, since people of color are the majority in all of these places. Let’s add 5 more majority nonwhite states, and make this a more Perfect Union 👍🏽👍🏽👍🏽

[@strike4n]

this is a great informative video! thank you for sharing it....

[@435American]

Thank you!

[@derickyoel7233]

Im from Puerto Rico👋

[@westonmickey3890]

Great video

[@darrellray6978]

Biggest mistake the u.s did not do was taking cuba we should of taken cuba during the spanish american war would of safed us hell alot of trouble int he 60s

[@Takador]

do you.... do you even know what the Spanish-American war was about?

[@darrellray6978]

Yes i do just realize i meant to say the Mexican american war lol

[@nurlindafsihotang49]

l.o.l no. not everybody wants your "freedom" a.ka slavery, USA!. we just have to take a look how you treated puerto rico. glad we kick back and see your bullshit back in 45. regards, from your "never-will-be-conquered" SEA nations.

cuba and PR really have nothing of value.

[@3506Dodge]

Southern planters tried several times to incorporate Cuba into the U.S. in the 1850s

[@hmsdemolition8588]

Thank you 😎 knowledge is power

[@Pa2flyboy]

This video seems to have overlooked a little place called "Washington, District of Columbia." Large population, local government, yada yada yada...

[@435American]

D.C. is distinctly *not* a territory, therefore it was not discussed in this video.

[@Pa2flyboy]

Morrethy Part of the USA, while not being a state, or part of a state, or voting representation in Congress. The only practical difference is that D.C. residents still pay federal taxes. Seems the word "District" vs "Territory" is a difference without a distinction. Please elaborate?

[@435American]

It is irrelevant that D.C. is similar to territories in many ways, they are not the same thing. I set out to cover U.S. territories in this video, not districts, simple as that. We're talking about literal U.S. law here, which often defies common sense. I don't understand the distinction fully either, but it's just the way it is.

[@thatonedudebroman3599]

Pa2flyboy it's not a state because it has our nation's capital plus it votes distinctly Democrat and it would be a nightmare for presidential elections

[@victorrameau33]

Thanks for that elaboration. Researching that actually brings up more questions than answers! As unconstitutional as the municipal government may be, I suppose D.C. residents should be grateful that Congress is not entirely in control of such things a trash pickup, road repair, or income tax.

[@rebelbeammasterx8472]

They should become states. Having 55 states also means we don't have to change the USA flag that drastically. Just extend the blue portion a bit and add five white stars,

[@rebelbeammasterx8472]

Wyoming has a 150,000 people.

[@435American]

RebelBeamMaster X84 Wyoming has a population of slightly under 600,000, not 150,000.

[@kevinvalentin5778]

THAT WOULD BE THE DAY ....

[@ansonmc]

The us has a legit set of rules on how to change the star pattern of their flag depending on the amount of states they have

[@miguelpimentel9216]

@@luisviera6347 Callate pendejo