British MUM Reacts to The American Revolution - OverSimplified (Part 1)

[@robertsmith4681]

Always cracks me up to watch British people learn about the American Revolution since it more or less gets glossed over during history class, much the same way it is here in Canada, yet it is one of those watershed moments that defined the modern world as we know it..

[@orlandocast7941]

To be fair if they cover British history the way we cover American history it would take them a lifetime.

[@lukegallagher353]

​@@orlandocast7941 that and it's awkward to talk about your defeats. I feel like Vietnam didn't get the attention it deserved when I was in high school either. Even though in this case it's mostly because the king realized he'd never get the money lost back by continuing to pursue war. It's crazy to think that if he'd have been more amicable, maybe given them some representation that we may not be the United States, but part of the United Kingdom.

[@LadyIarConnacht]

I grew up in NY along the VT border and we were taught a lot of these things as part of local history. We even marched along the trail that the Green Mountain Boys took to cut off the British.

[@Perfectly_Cromulent351]

⁠@@lukegallagher353idk about that. At least for me, the Vietnam war was covered far more in-depth than the other events of the Cold War specifically because we lost. You learn more from your country’s mistakes than you do from their triumphs.

[@gryphonprovenzano3156]

@LadylarConnacht: that’s sounds amazing what was like? And was it labeled?

[@lilykep]

"George Washington? Does he have something to do with Washington DC? No! He's English!" This exchange killed me.

[@huntersmith1943]

same

[@laurathornton1456]

My History teacher brain said, "George Washington? British?? Not for long!"

[@randallshelp4017]

I laughed then became tired bc the new mommy looked cute being ignorant.. and she is American threw a parent (I think)

[@steeljawX]

Well it doesn't surprise me. It seems like a lot of great generals in more modern history aren't exactly commanding the nation of their blood. Did you know Winston Churchill was Anglo-American? By that I mean his dad was British and his mother was American so he beat Meghan Markle by a good century in being an influential part of British politics while not being full British.

[@christopherkowalczyk4405]

The Washington thing threw me but there are a few things to bear in mind. Technically Washington was British like all colony citizens were, though he was a colonial officer not an English one. The funny thing is I wonder how history would have gone if Washington had gotten the commission to the British army like he wanted instead of being passed over since he was a colonial.

[@johnbattle7518]

George Wasgington was British American, the first president, and the man DC and the state were named after

[@Blondie42]

Not exactly unique, however. Washington, England is a town in the City of Sunderland district of Tyne and Wear, England. Historically part of County Durham, it is the ancestral settlement of the local Washington family, from which the first President of the United States George Washington descended.

[@johnbattle7518]

@@Blondie42 Cool info. The early Britis settlers sure did borrow a lot of names.

[@colemanroberts1102]

Also, indirectly, the city of Cincinnati, since Washington is "the American Cincinnatus"

[@GlobalCitizen_y2k]

​@@johnbattle7518 Borrowed? Grandpa Washington emigrated to Colonies from Britain. (Think a branch of the family is distantly related to the Spensers, as in family of Diana.)

[@johnbattle7518]

​@GlobalCitizen_y2k Yeah, borrowed. Can't steal something that's yours

[@francishaight2062]

George Washington was born in Virginia, but all British subjects born in the colonies before American independence were considered British.

[@craigplatel813]

Which is part of the reason for the revolution. The upper class colonials considered themselves to be English gentlemen and were pretty upset by that they didn't have the same rights as English gentlemen from England itself.

[@shawnmcglamery812]

More to the point if you were born in America while the colonists saw themselves as British , the British government did not . Royal courts always found for the British born over the American born in legal, business matters and were not permitted to hold offices within the royal government . example Washington grew indigo to be sold in England through an agent , the agent ripped him off to the point he was deeply in debt and almost lost his plantation . When he tried to sue he was told he couldn't as he was not a full British citizen . If they could do that to the second wealthiest man in the colonies just imagine how the poorer classes felt.

[@francishaight2062]

@shawnmcglamery812 that is really interesting. But I'm not in the least surprised!

[@TowGunner]

Also, the British were not protecting the colonists from the French. They were protecting their possessions.

[@gk5891]

Traditionally the British either didn't tax or taxed the Colonies at a lower rate because they were not Citizens. The switch to higher taxation while keeping the colonist "Subjects but not Citizens" was what stoked the anger. They felt they were paying "More for Less".

[@christophermckinney3924]

The thing about the tax on sugar was that the sugar cane was grown in the colonies, shipped to England, turned into sugar, and then sold back to the colonists anyway. To tax it was an additional insult.

[@bw1357]

The problem with the tax on sugar, back in those days you didn't have aspirin in other painkillers. Sugar was the main ingredient for distilling alcohol which was the pain killer of the American colonial working man. Every kitchen had a whiskey barrel in it so that Mom and Dad could take a few shots, kill the pain and get a decent night's sleep so they could get up the next day and do it all over again.

[@Perfectly_Cromulent351]

I’ve noticed this with a lot of British reactors in regard to colonial history: the American identity didn’t come about till after the country was formed. Until then, the colonists thought of themselves as natural born Englishmen, no different than those born in England.

[@markjohnson6194]

I have noticed british reactors watching this don't seem to understand their own colonial system of that time. It's like the slave talk, it's stated in a way that makes the English seem reasonable and anti slavery but the fact that the Americans were actual british citizens those were in fact english slaves. As far as freeing slaves in a war that has nothing to do with the moral issues of slavery but a great way to cause an uprising that your opponent has to spend mass resources on controlling. It's a brilliant military tactic.

[@garycamara9955]

Not all of them!

[@Anon54387]

That's not entirely true. Since they, before these acts, the colonies pretty much governed themselves and did come to think of themselves as Americans. When the Crown tried to control things with a heavier hand there was resentment.

[@richardlahan7068]

Washington thought of himself as an Englishman and began to resent the way Britain was treating it's colonists (overcharging colonists for items ordered from British merchants, no representation in Parliament, colonials could not serve in British Regular Army units or command British Regulars).

[@theylied1776]

Two fun facts. 1. George Washington (the first president of the United States) is third cousins of the Spencer family, yes, Diana Spencer the mother of Harry and William. 2. George Washington's family home in England is a national park.

[@philipmcniel4908]

Second one?

[@theylied1776]

@@philipmcniel4908 Sulgrave Manor.

[@SGlitz]

The 250th Anniversary of The Boston Tea Party was yesterday.

[@jonathonfrazier6622]

Washington D.C. was named after Washington. Before we broke off we were all British.

[@robertsmith4681]

British "subjects" but not citizens, which is sort of what the war was about, there was no representation of "the colonies" in British Parliament at the time and that created tensions between colonists and British authorities..

[@eTraxx]

Note that the early American flag had the Union Jack as the Canton - The first “official” flag was “the Continental Colors,” also known as the “Grand Union Flag,” which consisted of thirteen red and white stripes and the United Kingdom's flag in the upper-left-hand corner, also known as the canton.

[@AnitaPaynter]

No the colonies weren't all British.

[@teresawest5602]

Not all, Pennsylvania has more than it's share of German descendants!!

[@juneskywalker5847]

We never were British. What a dumb thing to say. Not all of us has that filthy tyrannical monarchy bloodline coursing through our veins. F the king and queen of that nation...they helped to steal our 2020 election.

[@marquisdelafayette1929]

Fun fact: My username sake (Marquis de Lafayette) was crucial to getting French support. But first, he was a lanky 19 year old who hated life at Versailles (Marie Antoinette made fun of his dancing) so he decided to go fight for the US. Except the King didn’t want that because it would seem to the Brit’s he authorized official support. So he bought a ship, snuck out of the country dressed as a woman and sailed for America. He learned English on the way over and by the time he got to Philadelphia they basically blew him off. A lot of Europeans were trying to get the title of general and dictate to the Americans how to fight. When Lafayette finally met Washington he said he was there to learn from them and Franklin sent a letter basically saying how connected he was to the royal family. He also said he’d cover all the costs of arming and supplying his soldiers. Then at the Battle of Brandywine shortly afterwards, he saw the Americans retreating incorrectly leaving them exposed so he rode to the front and rallied them despite knowing little English. He was shot in the leg and Washington told the doc to “treat him as if he was my own son”. They forged a father/son bond even more so than Hamilton or the others, even calling him out for owning slaves. Lafayette even naming his son after George and sending him there during the French Revolution when all his wife’s relatives were guillotined. He spent 10 years in prison but never gave up on revolution, exchanging letters with people as far away as Simon Bolivar in S America. On the 50th anniversary of the war he came to the US and traveled around the country and everywhere was a huge parade and celebrations. To this day we have a ton of towns and cities named after him (Fayetteville NC, Lafayette LA).

[@scotthill1600]

Wow how have I never heard that story, im from NC, was in Fayetteville a few months ago. Thanks for typing that out, awesome profile name now that Ik the story

[@marquisdelafayette1929]

@@scotthill1600 he was honestly like Forest Gump of the 18th /19th centuries lol always popping up at important moments. Toured all 23 (at the time) states, saw the French Revolution go crazy and then Napoleon secured his release and wanted him to bow. He refused, but Napoleon knew the uproar if he killed him so he basically gave him house arrest. Apparently, he would spend the entire morning writing Jefferson, Washington, Bolivar, Thaddeus Kościuszko, etc and hosting people all the time for exchanging ideas . Another fun fact: When he went to fight in the US he was the richest orphan. To prove Washington wrong on slavery he bought a plantation and gave them pay, real housing, no family separation, and stakes of ownership.. basically a co-op. He was preaching racial equality when most wouldn’t dare… There’s so much more to know about lesser known people like for example Henry Knox. He was a 25 year old bookshop owner who after his father abandoned the family at age 9 he took a job at a bookstore and the owner let him use it as a library and he taught himself everything including French, some philosophy and advanced mathematics, and devoured tales of ancient warriors and famous battles. Eventually opening his own shop he studied military science and questioned soldiers who came in. He was put in charge of artillery and was at almost every battle…. Alongside his wife. They were both “large” for their day and laughed about it (he was 300+lbs and she was near the same). They were said to be happy and jovial constantly and Washington used them for specifically entertaining guests since he wasn’t the greatest conversationalist. The history channel did a 3 piece documentary on Washington that was amazing (shocker I know since it’s become rare) but it’s based on Ron Chernows books on Washington and Hamilton and he’s a producer. They also did one based on Chernows book on Grant that was equally amazing with Chernow as producer along with Leonardo DiCaprio and Spielberg. Link to show if you want: g.co/kgs/CNdwti

[@scotthill1600]

@@marquisdelafayette1929 sheesh man, thanks so much, def gonna watch that documentary on washington. Sounds like Mr. Lafayette was goated, gonna have to do some research into him. Didn’t know Henry Knox’s origin story or that he was 300+ lbs either. You are hooking up the knowledge I’ve been quite fascinated recently about Cassius Clay who I heard about for the first time from the fat electricians video on him. Absolute war crime they don’t mention him whatsoever in school, to quote the fat electrician “one of the most influential ppl in American history that most ppl have never heard of”

[@JohnWilson-hc5wq]

What makes this even more interesting is when you look at where these battles took place and what they are like today. Staten Island and Brooklyn Heights are parts of New York City. White Plains is a suburb. Lexington and Concord are suburbs of Boston. Of course, 250 years ago, there was lots of open space to fight for. But now, these areas are covered in houses and buildings!

[@scotthill1600]

Idk ab other states but quite a few battlefields in NC are still more or less how they used to be

[@JohnWilson-hc5wq]

@@scotthill1600 There are monuments at Lexington and Bunker Hill, and Fort Ticonderoga has been preserved. No doubt other battle sites have been preserved.

[@MW_Asura]

It's like that everywhere in the world lol

[@scotthill1600]

@@MW_Asura yeah obviously… but this video & comment are ab the american revolution, not the rest of the world jackass

[@cornman3266]

He did have something to do with Washington D.C he was our first president it was named after him 🤣🤣🤣

[@Anon54387]

Not to split hairs too much, but technically he was the first president under our current Constitution. Some other guy was president under the articles of confederation, but no one remembers him. I certainly don't.

[@NormalAmericans]

James Madison is considered the Architect of the U.S. Constitution and a Founding Father.

[@ricgunn1439]

😂he was named after the football team.🤣🤯

[@jonathonfrazier6622]

I'm not sure but just from the context of what somethings you said make it seem like you don't quite understand that before the Revolution we were British too. We were the colonists. We were the British who went to expand the empire. ( It was when you said something like the British were taxing other countries, we were the same country) Then we felt that yall over there didnt see us as your fellow citizens and felt we were looked down on. Even though we lived out hard lives on the edge of the British Empire.

[@livetotell100]

This is what the British needed to understand about the U.S. Colonies in the 1600's-1700's. All they wanted was a few seats in the British Parliament and a say in what happens to them. That's what "No taxation without representation" meant. All the British had to do was do that. If they did, no Revolution, no U.S.A. Except back then, the British though the American colonies were 2nd class citizens. Not really "British". Therefore, they rebelled.

[@The_Kiosk]

Fun fact: Lucy Wellesley, daughter of the Archduke of Wellington, relinquished her heredity and married a commoner named Wakefield and moved to the colonies. Her grandson would marry a daughter of Robert Allen, a Green Mountain Boy, blacksmith cousin of Ethan Allen, and six generations later I was born. Funny to have a British noble ancestor within three generations of an American Revolutionary ancestor. 😂

[@nowhereman725_]

That same George Washington at the beginning of the video is the very same George Washington that led the American troops in the Revolutionary War against Great Britain. Later he became the first president and both America's capital city and later a state ("Washington") was named after him. Prior to American independence, all the residents of the colonies were British citizens.

[@justinhall3243]

My English grandmother always insisted much to my amusement that the English actually won the war of independence. Her argument was that a bunch of English settlers threw a German King and his hired German mercenaries out of the country.

[@shawnanderson6313]

That crazy bitch, always good for a laugh.

[@VelociraptorsOfSkyrim]

I mean, that's an amusing way of looking at it

[@garycamara9955]

In denial much?

[@SGlitz]

A 'benedict arnold" is an insult for traitor

[@annbsirius1703]

Spoiler! That bit is still to come. lol!

[@tvc1848]

@@annbsirius1703 👍🏼 Always got to be at least one….. 😂😂😂

[@mione134]

Your mom is a delight! I love having her in these videos

[@JPMadden]

Yes, we have a lot of English place names. I live in Rhode Island, one of the 13 colonies. My county is named Kent and my city Warwick (it's where the British revenue schooner, the HMS Gaspee, ran aground in 1772, which is mentioned at 6:25). We also have many tongue-twisting indigenous place names, like Quonochontaug.

[@Cactus12]

I laughed (not in a mean way) and hat you guys didn’t know who George Washington was. Not to sound American centric, but I just assumed he was common knowledge, much like Queen Elizabeth I (and II) or Napoleon

[@sandyaw3057]

My fiancé lives in England, I live in the US. He is very knowledgeable about our history. Almost more than I am..lol. Maybe it’s where Millie and her mom lived…I’m very surprised though because I would think they taught it in school.

[@GdzieJestNemo]

they are associated with countries not nationality - like Napoleon being Corsican (his french was said to be really bad), but being tied with France

[@MW_Asura]

Well you did still sound American-centric, but at best Brits would recognise his name, after that they would know little to nothing. They have more important historical figures of their own to worry about than some random guy that became the president of another country

[@MikeBronson515]

@@MW_Asura Well that was condescending as fuck. There are few leaders in the last few hundred years more important than Washington. That’s not “American-centric”. It’s just true.

[@pipercharms7374]

We do know, its strange to me that she doesn't.

[@kokomo9764]

Washington DC is named after George Washington. He commanded the American side in the Revolutionary War. He was, before the war, a British subject.

[@korrde]

George Washington wasn't actually English, nor was he a British Lt. Colonel. He was born in Virginia and served in the Virginia militia. Its actually one of the big reasons why Washington went against the British. Also to the Colonies it was felt that they had raised forces in their own defense, and that the British decision to directly tax them was contrary to how taxes had been previously levied against them. Before this time, the British preferred to request money from the colonial legislatures, and said legislatures generally levied their own taxes.

[@bigploppa154]

for some context on the men named early in the video, George Washington John Adams Thomas Jefferson and James Madison were our first four presidents in order. Benjamin Franklin was an all around mega figure (politician, scientist, diplomat, etc.) and Samuel Adams was one of the leading revolutionaries of Boston (the city where it all started) edit 2: Benedict Arnold’s name has become synonymous with the term “traitor” in the US

[@narsil100]

Perfect timing, since yesterday was the 250th anniversary of the Boston Tea Party ☕ Happy Earl Grey Harbour Day! 😄

[@The_Stoned_One]

5th Generation Great Grandfather. Parents came here as slave and as a mixed couple. He was born a free man. He fought in the Revolutionary War 2nd Continental Army North Carolina. He was in a mixed unit. "Black" and "White". He was captured and held by the British Army. He was free and escaped with the help of Francis "The Swamp Fox" Marion. He was at the battle with Cornwallis, He was at the surrender of Cornwallis, and later K.I.A. with Loyalist that dismissed the surrender. His name was Enos Bissell (Bizzell)

[@bryantsmith3372]

Alexander Hamilton was the founder of the U.S Coast Guard and is the only branch of the armed forces that has an official tartan, which means that kilts can be worn in the Coast Guard as part of the dress uniform.

[@Blondie42]

1:27 He also brought back what is now known as corn 🌽 and squash including 🎃 With corn, it caused huge problems in Europe because Columbus failed to also impart the necessary step of nixtamalization which basically purified the kernels and making them safe to eat. Without that, people died to disease.

[@dcdiva26]

Love that you released this video today! Very timely since December 16, 2023 was the 250th anniversary of the “Boston Tea Party”!

[@joemaloney1019]

Also the result of the French and Indian War the British acquired the French fur trade. The Colonists became competitors so the British passed the Proclamation of 1763 that forbade the Colonists from crossing the Appalachian Mountains into the hinterland. Britain wanted the 13 colonies to stay 13 coastal colonies while they grew rich on the French fur trade. The colonists said: NO. Everything after that was window dressing.

[@kidfox3971]

Oversimplified forgot to mention the coolest part about Bunker Hill: He mentions that they ran out of ammo, but that they were able to inflict 1,000 British casualties. They did this by conserving their ammo wisely, as suggested by the commanding officer William Prescott who famously ordered his men "dont fire until you see the whites of their eyes!" This quote is very commonly used in war and pop culture even today.

[@monstafloppa871]

Alexander Hamilton is considered one of the founding fathers of the United States. He is well known for his involvement in the Revolutionary War, and later helped form United States politics.

[@skyhawk_4526]

Does he have anything to do with the naming of Washington, DC? YES!!! He has EVERYTHING to do with the naming of Washington, DC.

[@liamengram6326]

Fun fact about the area I grew up in pertaining to Britain: I grew up just south of Saratoga Springs where the French joined the Colonists in their revolution efforts. I also grew up about 10 minutes from Uncle Sam's grave. Currently, I have a house close to Lake George where there is a perfectly preserved English battleship known as "The Land Tortoise" at the bottom of the lake. This ship was used to help protect the waters near Fort William Henry during the French-Indian War between 1754 and 1763. It was one of the last major wars fought on American soil before the Revolution and the proclaimed Independence of the U.S. and as a result is the last time Americans fought a foreign power on American soil, as British subjects. That boat is where it is because it was scuttled (purposefully sunk) to be stored for the winter so that French forces could not seize it, but due to some miscalculations the boat actually slid down the embankments of Lake George in to water over 100ft (~30.5m) deep and was unable to be recovered. Because of Lake George's cold and mineral rich waters, fed by limestone filtered aquifers of the Adirondacks, The Land Tortoise is preserved in almost pristine condition. You can dive to it and see it almost exactly as it would have looked 260+ years ago.

[@Jude_196]

HI, MOM!!! :) GLAD TO SEE YOU!! You and Millie make a GREAT TEAM, TOO!! HUGS & Merry Christmas to YOU, BOTH!! :)

[@moorek1967]

"And future alcoholic beverage, Sam Adams"...

[@mr_h831]

2:23 All americans were english. 😂 One day we just decided we didn't like being english so we slowly started re-inventing ourselves. 😂

[@williambranch4283]

The Colonies had no money., except what we pirated from the Spanish, which by this time was illegal anyway. Printed money only circulated in the Colonies (thanks Mr. Franklin), it wasn't payable to England.

[@revgurley]

If you aren't familiar with "Schoolhouse Rock," you really should look up some of their videos. Done in the 1970s, they were cartoon songs that taught a bit of everything: numbers and math, grammar, American history. If you ask almost any American over the age of 40, they can recite (sing) the Preamble the the Constitution because it was on a Schoolhouse Rock episode. They're super short - a couple of minutes. They'd play during Saturday morning cartoons. They're so ingrained that major rock groups have covered some of the songs. New sub!

[@BrianAbbot-pk5mf]

George Washington, was our first president. He’s known as the father of the country..I think. lol. He has a brother called Robert, who was the uncle of the county.

[@jennifersilves4195]

He was like the tenth president as it turns out. Idk why we ignore the ones before him.

[@BrianAbbot-pk5mf]

@@jennifersilves4195 yes, there were eight one year term presidents previous to Washington.

[@tvc1848]

@@jennifersilves4195​​⁠ They are ignored because they were not presidents of the country. The early leaders were not national leaders and had no authority over the nation, which realistically didn’t exist. They were presidents over the Continental Congress and akin to being a chairman of a committee with no authority. The presidency as we know today wasn’t ratified until 1788 and not in effect until early 1789. Realistically the Constitution created the country, not the Declaration of Independence. About a month after the Constitution went into effect, creating the country and establishing the presidency, George Washington took office as the first president of the United States of America…. not the various committee chairmen that came before him with no authority.

[@Heywoodthepeckerwood]

“Does he have something to do with Washington DC?” ….”He’s English….”. You are both right.

[@Ira88881]

Millie didn’t know George Washington is an American icon??)

[@elkins4406]

Millie is a new mum taking care of a young infant. It's a situation that tends to foster just that sort of goofy brain fart. She'll be back to her usual sharp-minded self once she gets a bit more sleep. :D

[@artembentsionov]

“Oh boy, were the people pissed.” I’m wondering if British viewers assume they were drunk or if they know the term is short for “pissed off” in the US

[@MW_Asura]

British people use both

[@jhosk]

WE MUTUALLY PLEDGE TO EACH OTHER, OUR LIVES, OUR FORTUNES AND SACRED HONOR. Those who signed the declaration of Independence knew the consequences of their actions.

[@laurathornton1456]

I used to read the Declaration of Independence to my students at school and I always pointed out that simply by signing their name to this piece of paper the founding fathers were, quite literally, signing their own death warrants. Most people consider the first line of the Declaration of Independence to be the most powerful . I think it's the last who carries the most power.

[@DaveMSippel]

When I was in grade school the lessons about the Revolution was almost “cute.” The seriousness and bitterness of the war was glossed over until I took classes in high school and college. Hard to believe that the US and Britain stayed bitter at each other until well into the 20th century.

[@lukegallagher353]

Lol "no, he's english." She says of our first us president.

[@helmedon]

@muhelectionwasstolen7253 True, but he was born in Virginia Colony

[@MichaelScheele]

In 2012, George Washington was voted Britain's greatest enemy commander, beating out even Napoleon Bonaparte. It probably didn't hurt that Washington's family is from northeastern England. He is considered the father of his country. If there ever was an "indispensable man" to the United States of America, it would be George Washington. Millie, if you ever tour Harvard University, they may point out where George Washington took command of the Continental Army in 1775. The Cambridge Common is right next to the Harvard campus.

[@SairanBurghausen]

Well of course they'd vote him over Napoleon. The British are still salty about him.

[@baraxor]

The reason that the tax on tea wasn't repealed was because the British East India Company, which ran both British territories in India and the trade between India and Britain, had suffered so much loss during the Seven Years War that there were fears that it would become bankrupt, so the Treasury had to step in to prop it up.

[@JenoFletter]

I would like to give a big shout out to France for help. We could not of done it without you, thanks. Great videos keep them coming.

[@helmedon]

Yeah, well we repaid the help later.

[@andrewmcclure2378]

George Washington is on every one dollar bill.

[@briankirchhoefer]

And 25 cent piece (quarter).

[@andrewmcclure2378]

@@briankirchhoefer let’s bring back the $500 bill and slap good old George on it. Deserves more cred, everyone loves good old Ben Franklin. 😁

[@Dot2TrotsLowCarbLiving]

Madison is father of our Constitution. Hamilton created our monetary system.

[@melbatoast3677]

Who started grinning when she said * noooo, he’s British* while correcting her mama 😂😂😂😂

[@gabegood8989]

laughing at her mom who was right...

[@runrafarunthebestintheworld]

I think she got confused with King George.

[@rogerbeesley-lo5tj]

Greetings to you from a Beesley in Florida (by way of Wembley & Canada). The British handling of the situation was a disaster. Imagine if now, almost the entire North Continent was part of the British Commonwealth. Anyway July 4th is our favorite holiday (although I celebrate defeat). Great to find your Channel.

[@sarachoate88]

James Madison was president during the war of 1812 when the British burned the white house. The war of 1812 was also when the poem "The star Spangled Banner" was written during the seige of Fort McHenry in Baltimore

[@joshuawiedenbeck6944]

Although it's not a bad thing, it's amazing how many famous US names have literally zero recognition outside of the US. The list of guys that got together is basically the most important dozen people in our history.

[@PresentingGreatMusic]

I love y’all but damn the UK education system must be equally as bad as the US if even George Washington is an unheard of name lol

[@scoobysnacks]

Well in all fairness to the UK, why would they want to teach anything about their own subjects turning against the crown and defeating what was supposed to be the strongest military in the world at the time? They'd want to downplay that as much as possible.

[@tvc1848]

@@scoobysnacks Downplay? Perhaps. But virtually ignore?

[@funnyusername8635]

I'm sort of surprised it didn't bubble up to them from other media. We learn about history from places other than school.

[@MW_Asura]

You overestimate the importance of George Washington to Britain. They have more important and relevant historical figures to worry about. And no, their education system is fine compared to the US, thanks very much. They have more important shit to worry about in their 1000+ year old history than some dude

[@pipercharms7374]

​@@scoobysnacks I see this opinion a lot with americans, no seriously, this happened 200 years ago? Why would we still be upset or embarrased over something that happened that long ago? So a couple of pointers One: we do teach a history about turning against the crown, because we capitate our monarch in the 1600s and become a republic for a bit. We get our monarchy back because the person in charge of us being a republic, Oliver Cromwell turns out to be a bit of a nutjob, however it was at that time the parliment starts to have more power than the monarch, with the threat of uh capitation if they step out of line will do the trick :) Interesting to think though if Oliver Cromwell had done an actual good proper job, we would have likely stayed a republic. This is heavly focused on in education, before the monarch gets their head chopped of, we have a civil war. Roundheads against the cavaliers, or parliment against the crown. Another incident but less taught is where some of our politicions also turns against our monarch and invites another monarch to take over without any bloodshed, a peaceful coup, highlighting the monarch loosing their power, in something called the glorious revolution. Two: We didn't have the strongest military in the world, we had the strongest navy, big difference. If our military was the strongest in the world, we wouldn't had so much trouble with napolean and not needed to get other countries to help us fight Napolians forces on land. Three: Americans had Spanish, French and Danish support in the war. French bankrupted itself to help, which I notice than americans seem to either forget or don't know when they like to rub in our faces about the american revolution? Four: We lost many ex colonies over time, why should we specificly focus on the US when it didn't impact us that much? US impacts us culturely today, the cold war, influence starts up media wise in the 1900s and world wars, THATS when we focus on it history wise. The american revolution however? Had little impact on us. Sure it was important for americans of course but to us its not as important our other events in history. For me when I first learnt all of the details about the american revolution I was actually surprised we did rather well in some battles, since when americans teased me about it and other brits about it, to me it sounded like a complete wipe out, I had in fact assumed that there was one major battle that we'd been completely destroyed in.

[@wickidmainah]

Paul revere never said "the British are comming". He said "the regulars are comming" because back then they were all considered british

[@hertbran]

This is so perfect. "Never heard of James Madison." James Madison, "Father of the Constitution," was an author of the Federalist Papers, which argued for the adoption of the US Constitution, and he was president of the United States when the British burned down Washington DC during the War of 1812.

[@JettKuroi]

James Madison was one of the presidents after the Revolution, Alexander Hamilton began as an Artillary officer in the Revolution, eventually became an adviser in Washington's cabinet and was the one to reform banking in the early days of US history.

[@coolwhip455]

I think its amazing how the US and UK had a nasty break up back then but grew to become the closest of allies.

[@DayLight_Era]

The US tends to do that But there was no benefit in staying in conflict.

[@Does_it_come_in_black]

Great video!! Merry Christmas guys!! 🫶🎄

[@rebeccablackburn9487]

John Adams actually defended the British soliders involved in the Boston massacre in court( he was a lawyer). He then went on to be the first Ambassador from the united states to the Court of St. James( UK).

[@Svensk7119]

My favorite anecdote about the Revolution came from the Battle of Bunker Hill. (Incidentally, this was from where we get the phrase, "Don't fire 'til you see the whites of their eyes!") After the Patriots withdrew because they ran out of ammunition, one British officer remarked, "They fought like Englishmen!" Another officer replied, "They Are Englishmen!"

[@Lina_unchained]

Massachusetts girl here! Just as an FYI he keeps saying Concord the way it looks, but here we pronounce it more like Con-curd (or Con-kid if youve got a Boston accent like I have). So awesome to see you both reacting to this! Can't wait to see more! Much love from Boston, Massachusetts ❤

[@scotthill1600]

I’m from NC & was thinking yeah con-cord then I just imagined my buddy from Boston saying it & Ik exactly what you meant. Fcking love that guy, only person I’ve ever met that legitimately carry’s brass knuckles around💀😭

[@Lina_unchained]

@@scotthill1600 haha, 💯 that's the Boston way! 😂😂

[@StevePaur-hf4vy]

The first seven American President's were all born in America but it was when America was under British rule so the first seven (George Washington, John Adams, Thomas Jefferson, James Madison, James Monroe, John Quincy Adams and Andrew Jackson) were British subjects.

[@johnlarue2248]

Was watching this and the names listed for the U.S. Know they aren't well known in Great Britain, but it reminded me of a scene in the movie King Ralph..Where he has to memorize the names of British Royalty. You'd lose most of us if you asked us the same question...cuz...we don't know them. Thank you ladies. Take Care, Stay Safe, and Merry Christmas! Merry Christmas Archie!

[@ca8944]

What? Everyone knows or has heard of the Kings and princesses in England. Maybe not all of them, but at least Queen Elizabeth and her parents and grandparents and the one who cut off all his wives’ heads. Then the Queen who didn’t have children and killed her sister who was Queen of another country(Ireland?) Ok, maybe we don’t know their names but we’ve watched those movies and tv shows and the gossip about Princess Diana lol

[@johnlarue2248]

@@ca8944 ...Yeah...I recall the Princess Di days. And I sadly admit to not knowing the names of her predecessor. I'm thinking that enrolling in Remedial English History could help me....And Merry Christmas to James as well....Fergot him...my bad.

[@ca8944]

@@johnlarue2248 just watch the movies:) Was it King Henry the Eighth who cut off his wives’ head bc they didn’t give him a son?

[@blake7587]

“You cannot but respect their cause and wish to make it your own.” - William Pitt Earl of Chatham

[@SalvableRuin]

Jefferson owning slaves does not make him a hypocrite. He was born into a wealthy family in a state where slavery was legal and normal. He likely treated his slaves with kindness, and they probably loved him and wanted to remain with him. Either way, he didn't want slavery to be a thing that continued into the future, so he enshrined their rights in the constitution.

[@ricgunn1439]

BS

[@kimkacer782]

Good reaction, looking for what you both think about part 2! Glad to see Sally back! (I hope you enjoy doing these, dear.)

[@captainsinclair7954]

The first battle of Lexington wasn't "The Shot heard around the World," as Oversimplified would have you believe. It was the Battle of Concord. From what I can tell from an overview of the skirmish, the British Regulars charged the minutemen with Bayonets affixed, causing them to fall back to Concord where the first actual shots were exchanged.

[@brandonflorida1092]

Washington wasn't a British officer, as this says. he was in the Virginia militia.

[@dianaguenzler2897]

I recommend watching a series called, "Turn" if you're interested in learning about the Revolutionary War. I first saw the series on Netflix then I found a gift set of the series at the gift shop during a tour of Mount Vernon, home of George Washington. Turn is a factual dramatize enactment of the war from beginning until the end. It's about Gen. Washington and "his spies".

[@TheKeithterry]

Growing up I guess I just assumed that more American history was taught in other countries. Growing up in Virginia our curriculum included a lot of British history, at least up to the Revolutionary War, then again in WW2..

[@pipercharms7374]

We learn about the US in the gold rush, WW1 WW2 Cold War and US influence growing in the 1900s but thats about it.

[@legorockstar2000]

2:05 George Washington actually stayed in my hometown during this period when he was traveling to address the French and Indian War! There's a museum with a remake of the house he lived in near the old fort called "Fort Cumberland" His appearance here in Fort Cumberland marks the first and only time a President of the United States actually commanded troops directly on the ground.! I may come from a small town but a lot of small towns hold significant historical value to the rise of today's US!

[@sunflower3281]

I love that he’s saying WaRshington like some of us do in the Midatlantic lol

[@haraldisdead]

The shot at Lexington was not "the shot heard round the world," contrary to popular imagination. It was the later fight at concord.

[@duphasdan]

As the British troops were on their way back to Boston, one of the people to attack them was an old 70 or so year old man named Samuel Whittemore. While others kept their distance, the man attacked the troops point blank from his front yard. The man is a known hero and known for being a great fighter. When he attacked he used dual pistols and a jeweled sword that he gained in past battles from those that 'died suddenly' and he 'acquired' the items soon after'. He single handedly took a few of the 700 soldiers in front of him, telling the British empire to get off his lawn. The soldiers then stopped him with their own weapons and shot the man 3 times in his face. His family of 350 or so people, all of them his descendants including his many children and their children and so on, pleaded a doctor to help him. The doctor did all he could and his family stayed by his side till his last moments... 17 years later when the man died in his 90s. It is from this incident that cemented the audacity of Americans standing up to overwhelming odds, as well as, the phrase 'Get off my lawn'.

[@mezlabor]

James Madison was the primary author of the US Constitution and 4th President of the US.

[@ronaldlangway3021]

It's actually Falmouth Maine. Maine at that time was part of Massachusetts but it was called Maine. Which is now called Portland Maine. At the time of the burning the first parish church was made out of wood now it is made out of granite. In that church is a cannonball that went through a window that is now a chandelier

[@ashleeweaver2323]

I love watching britains reactions

[@theclarksvillepiper9202]

Always interesting to see how little people know of these founding fathers. They're all well known by anyone with a moderately decent education in the States.

[@richardlahan7068]

If you're really interested in this, there's a History Channel series called "The Revolution" that gives a detailed account from both the British and American sides.

[@damnimloomin]

A great movie loosely based on th revolutionary War is the patriot very good movie tbh but it romanticized some key parts obviously

[@jamesharris3616]

“TURИ: Washington's Spies” is a great Netflix series loosely based on actual events.

[@oliverbodnar]

Hamilton is on the $50 dollar bill!

[@gunner4365]

Hamilton is on the $10. Grant is on the $50

[@larryk731]

I wonder if an American (who does not specialize in British history) watched a similar video about British history if the reaction would be similar.

[@jennifersilves4195]

How many early Brits started as Americans though?

[@michealdrake3421]

4:35 A little context here, essentially because the American colonies were so far away and so hard to get to (the North Atlantic remains to this day the deadliest stretch of ocean in the world) and therfore so hard to govern, it was decided that they of exist in a state of salutory neglect, where they would receive next to no support from Britain and wouldn't get seats in parliament, but as a trade off they would be exempt from many British laws and most or all taxes. It also helped that the American colonies weren't worth much economically. Technology hadn't advanced enough to take advantage of the continent's vast mineral wealth, and all it really produced was some furs and agricultural products of middling quality. So all of Britain's investments were based on SPECULATIVE future returns. Incidentally, this attracted a uniquely independent and adventurous kind of person, even among colonists. Couple this with the fact that Britain used the colonies as a dumping ground for convicts right up until the end of the revolution and what you find is that most of the early settlers were the kind of people willing to give up the comforts and securities of civilization to be free of its obligations, and who just generally mistrusted the government, or were even openly hostile towards it. So yeah, a huge part of the issue, especially among moderates, was that they didn't have representation in parliament. There were a lot of moderates that would have been willing to accept the taxes if they were given a say in what was taxed and how the money was used. BUT there were also a lot of people who were of the opinion that representation or not this wasn't what they'd agreed to. When they came to the colonies it was with the understanding that they could make their own way, and so long as they obeyed a few core guidelines of diplomacy, decency, and conduct, they'd get to keep whatever they earned and live their lives however they pleased. They didn't even want representation because it came with strings that they didn't want to be tied to. While representation was an issue, many colonists were angry simply because Britain was renegging on the deal. BTW, I hope I don't need to say this, but we in America love you guys. On a national scale you're our best friend, and we don't harbor any animosity towards you. No one should feel bad about the actions of people who lived and died before they were born. The British did some shitty things, so did the Americans, but we've all moved past it, and we're better off for it. 9:25 So, when the British arrived in Lexington, they found a bunch of colonials with random pistols and muskets waiting for them. The American commander had given the order, "Do not not fire unless fired upon, but if they mean to have war, let it start here." The British, by contrast, were willing to make a show of force, but opening fire on a semi-organized band of armed rebels they considered to be seriously pushing the line. They wanted to pacify the colonies, not start a civil war. When the British arrived the commander gave the order to the Americans, "disperse you rebel scum" to which the Americans said (paraphrased) "Nah, we're good right here, thanks." So the two sides just stood there, in battle formation, for hours, staring each other down, each waiting for the other to make the first move. The shot was fired from the American side. We don't know who fired it, we don't know why, and as far as we know, no one was hit by it. For all we know, some old farmer in the formation dozed off for a minute and when he dropped his gun it went off. What we know is that that was The Shot Heard Around the World, the shot that started the American Revolution. The British beat back the rebels at Lexington, but when they reached Concord and started torching the rebel supplies, people in the area saw the plumes of smoke and thought the British were putting the whole town to the torch, and over 1200 minutemen (so called because they could be armed and ready to fight on a minute's notice) showed up to oppose the 700 redcoats. 16:00 There's a lot of meming that goes on, but the fact is, the British regulars were a well armed, well trained, and exceptionally capable fighting force. The redcoats were a respectable and formidable adversary, and really, if it weren't for French assistents and political bs in the side of Britain, we probably wouldn't have won.

[@lisab.9956]

George Washington became 1st U.S. president John Adams became 2nd U.S. president Thomas Jefferson became 3rd U.S. president James Madison became 4th U.S. president Patrick Henry became 1st Governor of Virginia Alexander Hamilton became 1st Secretary of the Treasury Benjamin Franklin was an inventor, scientist, writer, diplomat, & 1st Postmaster General John Jay became 2nd Governor of New York & 1st Chief Justice U.S. Supreme Court This is shown several times in videos but didn't know if you understood when they are "harassing" British, they threw bucket of hot black tar on them & then covered them with bucket white feathers which stuck to the tar. It was a form of punishment called being "tarred & feathered."

[@heywoodjablowme8120]

Some of this is taught to kids in grade school. Or if you remember School House Rock they made cartoons about it😂❤😂

[@RogCBrand]

I'd love to see them react to some School House Rock!

[@JayEdelgardVT]

George Washington and my ancestor George Weedon not only were boyhood best friends but also officer and Generals together in the French-Indian and Revolution. Both came from English ancestry and settled in Virginia

[@Anon54387]

The Lexington and Concord battles happened because the English tried to take the Americans' guns, that happened before the Declaration of Independence.

[@WaywardVet]

That whole Falmouth Massachuetts. Mass was actually 2 states in our early years. I hail from New Hampshire. Named after British Hampshire. Maine became a state in the prelude to our civil war. Oh, and we totally split them in half. Right between the territory.

[@WaywardVet]

Oh, and our biggest city is Manchester. Also named from the Brits. We had a disagreement years ago, but we still love you.

[@beegee1960]

That brain trust were the finest thinkers, politicians. and businessmen of the col.

[@wayneperkins7605]

I like when you have your mom on.

[@jpgcne]

Funny how Falmouth Massachusetts relocated from Cape Cod to Maine @12:56

[@briankirchhoefer]

Maine was part of Massachusetts back then.

[@w9gb]

“Hamilton” (play/musical) did George III hilariously. Yes George III caused the American issue.

[@hardchooligan]

It always cracks me up how Europeans look down on Americans for not knowing European history,when they know literally nothing about North American history 🤣 everyone learns about events in their area and understandably so

[@kt52354]

y’all should watch “Turn: Washington’s Spies” it’s during the american revolution AND ITS SO GOOD

[@trevor3013]

It's so crazy how time flies. I remember when Millie was learning and now she's teaching. Better get another video in a few years of your mom showing someone else this video XD

[@carlchiles1047]

D.C. is the District of Columbia..most people don’t even know that..but I learned that about 4th grade..My family arrived in Jamestown, Virginia on a ship from England in 1646..130 years before the Revolution..because of geography..we lived about 45 minutes southwest of Richmond..and there is/was a village there in the woods with my family’s name..Chilesville….because of that..we knew those often referred to as the Founding Fathers..we knew most of them..some were aloof and distant..and argumentative..but we got along with most..and knew the ladies who stitched together the first Continental flag..now the land we once owned is a tourist park…King’s Dominion..a large family oriented park..think along the lines of Disney World..in Virginia..rides ..food..and tired parents..at the end of a long day..my Great-grandfather left Kentucky in 1854 with a team of mules and $20,000 to go to Lincoln, Nebraska territory to help get anew company off the ground..a freight and shipping company..called Wells and Fargo..at some point they found that banking was more profitable..we have been in every war and shaken hands with history..another relative by the name of Graham..left Scotland shortly after our arrival in 1646..just not sure where he settled..but we have touched history as much as history has touched us..My dad was with General Patton in WWII in Italy..I was in Vietnam when 1 star General George Patton Junior. was there..hard to believe we’ve been here nearly 400 years..considering my 21 years in the army..that is just a drop of water in the ocean....