End of Empire (1985), chapter 1: The Beginning of the End

[@Twosugar]

Quintessentially British documentary with major heavyweight interviewees.Amazing to listen to the leading men who took part in those challenging times. A must watch for any history student.

[@hhjj621]

As a - shall we say? - student of Anglo-Saxon civilisation, I strongly concur! 🇹🇩☦️

[@franciscomunoz2222]

​@@hhjj621I certainly think you can do without the Christian cross on the flag. That's something Britain certainly didn't spread.

[@hhjj621]

@@franciscomunoz2222 I utterly FAIL to grasp what is it to be spread up, *or* what I should spread, *or* what I did not spread, *or* what has the former British Empire to do with me as far as spreading SOMETHING...!!!?!

[@franciscomunoz2222]

@@hhjj621 If you are only s student of Anglo-Saxon history, and not one of a host of rabid supporter of the "English Empire", I can only say that the Episcopal clergy should have been out there seeing, excoriating the innumerable outrages of its flock. I don't see India, after centuries of British domination, particularly populated with a vast number of Episcopal churches winning over the population with the Chrristian message and example - never mind the other territories. Bishop Tutu was the only one, and it was after the dismantling of British dominion. If you are not one of those countless, unrepentant enforcers of the "Empire", then the comment was not meant for you. Be well.

[@xavisanchez7522]

@@hhjj621which anglo saxon you means? Hastings 1066 anyone?

[@zensaber]

Never seen this before, thanks a bunch for uploading. This came out before me time haha.

[@heixia97]

Thank you very much for uploading this. The series, translated into Cantonese, plus one last episode about Hongkong which added and made by a local tv broadcasting here in Hong Kong, has show once in 1993 only. Unlike the book, the video version was somehow vanished ...until you upload it. Thank you again!

[@tylasouza4759]

heixia97 i understand this comment is 2 years old. but is there anyway to get ahold of this hong Kong episode ? Do you happen to remember the name of the channel ? I may be able to find it in my own easier if you could provide that bit of information.

[@silasyuen2996]

This was made in the 80s and HK was still a crowned colony. I didn’t remember local TV showing this, theme like this is close to treason before 1997. Well, British’s hold of HK was not really due to military force anyway.

[@kf6796]

TVB Jade or ATV Home channel, if it is really broadcast in Cantonese, or TVB pearl or ATV World in English, but I doubt that anyone has ever upload the HK episode on youtube

[@kf6796]

If they show this program in the early 90's they might show it as the end is near anyway, but I really wonder how many people will be interested in this kind of program back in the 90's

[@andrewcklam]

The show was bought by ATV and broadcasted in ATV Home under an elegant Chinese title 「帝國斜陽」（Sunset of the empire) hosted by journalist Hui Kam Fung (許金峯）in the early 1990s, when the Tiananmen Massacre of 1989 shocked the Hongkongers for how British colonies would become when they "returned" to the locals. The show turned out to be a success at the time. The theme tune of this show remained in my memories for years and this is the only source I could ever heard it again. I wrote to iTV (successor to Granada TV whom produced this series) couple of years ago for a DVD version or if a soundtrack of the theme tune could be bought but was in vain. Seems the show would be gone forever, sadly.

[@FRANKTHRING1]

Very well made documentary mainly on the fall of Singapore; the 1980s was a good time to make this as many of those involved in events 30 and 40 years earlier were still around in the sunset of their lives

[@gray499kcw]

You are an absolute gent for posting these - well done and thank you!

[@Jimdixon1953]

It’s interesting to think when this was broadcast in 1985 this all would have been a fairly recent memory for many of the audience, lots of them would have lived through the Second World War and visited or worked in various colonies, been in the forces etc. It’s a bit like us watching a documentary about the 1980s today.

[@BK-uf6qr]

The ability of the British to lose an empire and confront it has me conflicted. I don’t look back with pessimism. The British, like any other great power, will get criticized. But the good should be highlighted in equal measure. Times change. The people of the world became more liberated. But the liberation came in direct proportion to man’s technology which connected us all. It came with the spread of knowledge. In rougher times, where raw power was the currency of the day, people were protected and had cohesion in the empire. If not Britain then it would be another power. Such were the days. Are we to look and judge Britain through modern day norms? That has always been a foolish task. The world wasn’t “fair” like we think today. Britain was at the forefront of human rights for the people. Abolished slavery and made others do the same. There was economic inequality but the times bred that. There weren’t thriving economies like today. I reject the nastiness of those who look back at past figures and castigate them. Should someone 50-100 years from now think you’re backwards and an immoral person because societal norms will have changed. Our modern world has a lot to be ashamed about. Especially with the wealth we have. Constant complaints of money when we all are living the highest average incomes of all of mankind. The family unit has broken down. Narcissism is rampant. We have our own challenges like those before us had. I prefer to look back in time and awe in their perseverance. I look back and understand that they were a product of their times. I look back and wonder what lessons I can learn from them.

[@patrickkelly9110]

Excellent comment

[@marsdenk.6162]

​@patrickkelzThank you ly9110

[@ejwms]

wonderful series. thanks for uploading it

[@truekey6821]

15:58 “trade between India and China “ would probably refer to the highly lucrative opium trade. That’s an interesting legacy of both the colonial and 19th century origin of the modern drug trade

[@RealHexJoker]

where do you think the crown got its wealth

[@mudra5114]

@@RealHexJoker The drug trade is older than the British in Asia.

[@DieNibelungenliad]

There was much more than the opium trade. There was also tea, spices, silks, porcelain, cotton, and indigo

[@enkelv30]

Can anybody tell me where I can find a copy of this series? Any help would be deeply appreciated.

[@yellowpete79]

Did you find a copy?

[@neilthain4387]

Would you have the production information for this series of documentaries? I would like to contact the distributor to see if I can purchase the set on DVD. This is not a sinister request - I have appreciated your efforts to post the episodes that you have - just looking for decent quality - thank you...

[@msvetov]

+Neil Thain It's made by Brooke Lapping production for BBC. www.brooklapping.com But unfortunately, this documentary is not available on DVD at all (and probably never will be due to awful BBC restrictions). I had to track the VHS tapes from the Australian library, and it's pretty much the only way to watch it.

[@neilthain4387]

Thanks that - will keep looking for it!

[@V8_screw_electric_cars]

shame only left channel is playing

[@VinnyVincenzoYo]

msvetov well thank you so much for doing tracking it down and uploading here so everyone interested can watch and enjoy, much respect for doing so it’s greatly appreciated.

[@Querens]

@@msvetov yay for libertarians!

[@ryjo555]

Such a good documentary series! I wish they'd made an episode covering the Dominions and Ireland. Also, is there anywhere I can find chapter 5 on Malaya?

[@fritzytv9285]

I think they put it up again

[@VaderGhost124]

Sadly Episode 5 has been lost to time. Seems to have never been saved by Granada TV. The only chance for it is if some one has a dusty VHS copy in their attic or closet. Otherwise it’s gone. Very sad.

[@kgfes]

What's the name of the title soundtrack

[@nonsoumunna5871]

Great series and thank you so much for uploading. Do you have episode 5 on Malaya by chance, if so can you upload? Thank you.

[@FGIII83]

Hello, do you have chapter 5? Thanks

[@claudinamorgan5834]

Francisco Guerra Labbé thanks where is chapter v

[@HandleGF]

"When the British Empire sinks beneath the waves of history only two monuments will be left standing - the game of association football and the expression f*ck off." - Richard Turnbull (in Aden) in 1967

[@FurryAminal]

You should burn these onto several DVD so that a copy remains for future reference.

[@TheRightHonRai]

Knowing KZbin this would be considered hate speech in 20 years time in the current events.

[@histman3133]

@@TheRightHonRai You beat me to it. I was just gonna say something along those lines.

[@milkapeismilky5464]

Did.

[@mayena]

Is anyone having the same audio problem?. I am only hearing from one earphone.

[@buddytaha6948]

Mee

[@dorianphilotheates3769]

It’s deliberate: in keeping with the time honoured British attitude of attuning one ear to knowing not what the other hath hearkened unto.

[@nathaniellight2288]

perhaps you've lost hearing in one ear?

[@Goodmans93]

Is it cool if i upload a version with fixed audio channels?

[@conavraam146]

Hi, The chapter 5 about Malaya is missing do you happen to have it?

[@VaderGhost124]

Unfortunately been lost to the sands of time. It seems to have never been properly stored or saved.

[@supporterofeastturkestanin2871]

Thank you for sharing such good documentaries!

[@doitright89]

Thanks so much for posting this

[@19DRS66]

How did it all turn out?

[@thedavidbrother2]

UK ended with tons of debt to the US, but maybe because of a shared language, they never have to pay.

[@mrstratau6513]

​@@thedavidbrother2 On 31 December 2006, Britain made a final payment of about $83m (£45.5m) and thereby discharged the last of its war loans from the US.

[@georgecollie5875]

The British Empire became complacent. Like all great Empires. The British Empire had many defeats, by Japanese WW2 was the end of empire. The fall of Singapore marked the end. At Singapore we bluffed the Japanese but in the end we where defeated by poor leadership. General Pervcial who was the command of all forces in Singapore he was order by Churchill not to surrender.... The rest is history....

[@coreyandnathanielchartier3749]

You're right-to be taken prisoner by the Japanese in WW2 was worse than death. Churchill knew that if the British surrendered while the Americans defied the Imperial Army at Bataan, the prestige of the Empire would be damaged beyond repair. If they would have just held out for a month it would have had a significant effect on future events of the war. Yes, it would have been costly. The surrender at Singapore freed up a large Japanese force that could then move on to attack other Allied territory quickly.

[@redicderldavis]

Unless I missed something, the shambles of Singapore noted, Japan lost the war.

[@redicderldavis]

@Tejas Misra I think you will find Russia may have something to say about that. Now as you are obviously a novice who may have watched a documentary on the history channel this dialog is over...

[@joedias7946]

The Japanese lost the war but have advanced civilization today. The west can only look at the back of the Japanese.

[@B-26354]

​@@redicderldavis They did but Percival could and should have held on.

[@TheTsar1918]

This series needs a dvd set release, if it hasn't been already.

[@flashtin166]

Does anyone know what the opening music is?

[@Goodmans93]

I think it was made just for the Tv series

[@corrocot1]

40:05 Percival was a notoridus sadist and criminal, he brutally tortured and murdered Irish prisoners in Cork in 1920.

[@R_Jackson]

"...My name is Ozymandias, King of Kings; Look on my Works, ye Mighty, and despair! Nothing beside remains. Round the decay Of that colossal Wreck, boundless and bare The lone and level sands stretch far away.” These words of Shelley often come to my mind when I read about the Empire, and particularly when I hear my countrymen who are seduced by their own dreams of empire. Thanks for uploading this documentary. 🙏

[@billykitahama3514]

Yes, I agree. History shows us that no empire lasts forever, yet every empire thinks it will last forever.

[@itstime6495]

On the contrary. There are signs of British influence all round the world. English Language, Law , architecture. The Commonwealth etc. Travel & open your eyes more.

[@itstime6495]

@@R_Jackson We were nt a loot, plunder and run brigade. Occupations listed on passenger lists on liners (going East) of the day listed bricklayers, masons, fireman, foresters, canal workers, shop-keepers & engineers of all sorts. We made mistakes, but we were nt savages.

[@andrewrobinson2565]

I wonder if Shelley was on the opium when he wrote that. 🤔+1

[@luciusveritas9870]

"To these little japanese.." lol 1 minute in and straight into the British Empire.

[@sanimgurung87]

It's engrained in their brains that no one is better than them.

[@MetricImperialist]

@@sanimgurung87 Inferiority complex much??

[@vickomen333]

Was just to comment on the same when I saw I wasn't the only one who saw it

[@barryhill3131]

The average height of a Japanese soldier in WW2 was 5 ft 3 1/2 inches.

[@mrstratau6513]

They are little. Still are today. Sorry the truth doesn't suit your bias.

[@barneyblimp1498]

does anyone have any recommendations for any other documentary/tv series documentaries that are remotely like this?

[@richardwyse7817]

the World at War?

[@robertewing3114]

​@@richardwyse7817defective on pre-policy - no obligation to defend Czechoslovakia

[@larandy2]

Do you have part 5?

[@12fold]

In music theory, that ending is known as the "Oh, well" cadence: or parallel major cadence. The weakest cheese ending possible. The ultimate musical shoulder shrug. Thankyou, subversive BBC subversive composition.

[@kalpathyrama]

No audio

[@brucevilla]

Thanks for Uploading.

[@jlwaddey9579]

what a great post, thank you

[@countchocula2169]

Anyone knows what that title footage is from? The lowering of the flag by officers?

[@rodgerhargoon3402]

As an Indian I was unlucky to be born in south Africa...had to live under racist and apartheid.

[@puschelhornchen9484]

After watching this series you know of all the countries which stand eagerly ready to replace eventual trade losses with the EU after Brexit. *Ironyoff*

[@alec4672]

I love this. One cause it's fascinating, and two cause of tracking issues like at 1:14 that add nostalgia 😂🤙

[@Idahoguy10157]

After the first world war Britain came out crutches. After the second war Britain was in a wheelchair

[@Ditka-89]

Well they didn’t have to fight either one

[@thespiritphoenix3798]

@@Ditka-89 What do you mean by that. Britain lost hundreds of thousands in both world wars.

[@guillermoelenes7252]

“someone had to save us” Australia continues to be a colony in 2021.

[@lifelongbachelor3651]

in your sleep, maybe. the lifestyle and standard of living australia enjoys today is the direct result of european settlement. you sound like a slogan shouter.

[@mrstratau6513]

We're proud of our cultural heritage.

[@Techn9cian123]

Thank you for this. I’ve been interested in Britain and it’s empire. Especially the Raj. Thoughts of traveling to 19th century Indian conjures up a wonderful vision of exotic jungles and interesting peoples.

[@joedias7946]

​@PedroOrtega1993thanks to the British we sadly have a Few hundred left today. Despite the tremendous efforts To revive the numbers .The Indians are finding very difficult.

[@destubae3271]

13:16 is it me or does this guy look eerily similar to Churchill

[@kreativekut666]

Thnks for uploading

[@ReinholdMessner-k1j]

Read Caroline Elkins: Legacy of Violence. That should give a bit differentiated picture.

[@randomtux1234]

Nice opening statement by the Roman Catholic. Im a Ju and also we pray every Saturday to keep the Queen successful and well. I also thank God in Heaven for being born British god save the queen

[@richt6353]

Excellent History Lesson!

[@myfavs5393]

Bring back the empire - we need it now

[@brinso]

Yeah go on, build your own empire in your little head !! For your own information, imperialists were hard working, not the Morden day lazy Brits, benefits benefits benefits and blame foreigners for all that is rubbish, wait for it....the best ever country (I have seen it, it's damp and bloody ugly- Liverpool, Manchester, Portsmouth, London all too ugly)

[@australian6983]

Ken oath mate!

[@DieNibelungenliad]

Why? The Brits couldn't even hold on to Afghanistan

[@dianehghzn7670]

Dont be ridiculous!!!!!!

[@this_charming_manatee]

We’re still here 🇳🇿🇬🇧

[@LtNomad120mm]

I was never a subject of the British Empire nor my country was, at least for a long time it was not. But, being a British subject then would had been proud experience notwithstanding all the colonial issues.

[@joedias7946]

Yes being called a coolie would make you quite proud.

[@LuciThomasHardylover-qx6ts]

All my Sudanese friends laugh hysterically about the British in Sudan..they say they'd love them back and the only things that still work were what was built by the British! The empire was so vast,so complex and ran for so long it's always stupid when people try to encapsulate it in simple sentences. Different people had different experiences at different times. Such is life.

[@kreativekut666]

Those for uploading nice one

[@brinso]

I'm glad there is no more empire nonsense anymore. Some of us have been scarred for life and are still trying to cope with the legacy of that needless racist system.

[@staffangideskog3482]

Now the americans rule the world instead. Which one do you prefer?

[@mrstratau6513]

You mean racist like the Indian caste system?

[@mrstratau6513]

You mean like the Indian caste system? No, of course you don't.

[@sinogarcon]

@48:36, they guy's funny. Japanese cigarettes are horrible!

[@vtecpreludevtec]

Mild7 r tops.

[@sinogarcon]

Mike Berg He was referring to Japanese cigarrettes made during WWII. Japanese industrial product quality really picked up since th e 50/60's.

[@1975azam]

I watched this show in Malaysia.Where can I find the End Of Empire episode on Malaya(it was actually about the Malayan Emergency-the internal war against Communist Guerrillas that took place in Malaysia during the 1950s before independence).

[@vtecpreludevtec]

Selamat pagi,sore or malam,I just entered Malayan emergency on utube n several documentarys came up.Demokrasi,Korupsi dan reformasi,good luck with your current problems,and please dont let Saudi wahabi ism ruin a gentle kind people.

[@vtecpreludevtec]

+Mike Berg sorry u meant an episode of this prog,plenty of others.

[@pendleburyable]

Great doc,,!,!

[@loneprimate]

One day I woke up, trudged across me snowbound Canadian kitchen, and had me a look at the map, and I said, "Bloody 'ell! I'm in the empiah! Bloody 'ell!!" Well, I've never looked back.

[@johnmcclellan9020]

I'm Canadian and have always felt closer to Americans than the British. Americans are my very very big brother even though Canada is larger in size.

[@1GTX1]

Why would a Chinese guy feel close to Mexicans

[@stickemuppunkitsthefunlovi4733]

That's because you were americanised on purpose. Now you are a traitor

[@valmarsiglia]

Yikes! What planet is David Marshall from?!?

[@ralphbernhard1757]

*So the London lords set off to set Europe up for failure...TWICE.* London was always going to oppose the strongest continental country/power/alliance, as a default setting, and as a matter of policy. No "feelings" or "opinions" were involved in this decision by a few London lords. Ever since the establishment of her "Empire", London aimed to expand and protect it by (as a matter policy), making the strongest continental power/alliance the rival in peace/enemy in war. By own admission: "The equilibrium established by such a grouping of forces is technically known as the balance of power, and it has become almost an historical truism to identify England’s secular policy with the maintenance of this balance by throwing her weight now in this scale and now in that, but ever on the side, opposed to the political dictatorship of the strongest single, State or group at any time." [From Primary source material: Memorandum_on_the_Present_State_of_British_Relations_with_France_and_Germany] In a nutshell, oppose every major diplomatic advance made by the strongest continental power in times of peace, and ally against it in times of war. An own policy standpoint (Splendid isolation) meant that London shied away from making binding commitments with continental powers. London made "temporary best friends" to temporarily use and abuse, not lasting alliances. The own historical policy standpoint resulted in the eternal motivation to set continental powers up against each other, in a bid to "sit on the fence and eat popcorn" when the shtf... In case of differences? Pick the side against the strongest power. In case of war? Oppose the power (alliance) most likely to win. That is how the lords "played". Under a thin veneer of "civility" and protected by an army of apologists. After WW1 (Versailles, St. Germaine, etc.) the lords set off on the same path: divide and rule. Set up Hungarians against Czechs, set up Austrians against Czechs, set up the Poles against the Russians and Germans (see Limitrophe States). Create just enough "peace" for a short-term advantage. Just enough dissatisfaction to cause eternal strife...divide and rule. Bring in a few others to gather around the round table (Paris), so you can pass the buck around if things go predictably wrong. When things go wrong: blame everybody else... Drawing lines on the map, divide and rule. Imposing on many millions, and give power to a few betas. Divide and rule... Seperating families. Divide and rule. Seperating companies from their markets. Divide and rule... Taking from some without asking. Giving to others, without consent. These are the "tools" of "divide and rule". *Never a "price tag" for own actions...* Right? WRONG Brits: "The Woyal Navy will pwotect us and our Empire forever and ever..." Right? WRONG To avoid the dreary hassle of working to achieve a long-term stable Europe, the lords set of to look for "best fwiends" elsewhere... "By 1901, many influential Britons advocated for a closer relationship between the two countries. W. T. Stead even proposed that year in The Americanization of the World for both to merge to unify the English-speaking world, as doing so would help Britain "continue for all time to be an integral part of the greatest of all World-Powers, supreme on sea and unassailable on land, permanently delivered from all fear of hostile attack, and capable of wielding irresistible influence in all parts of this planet." [Google: The_Great_Rapprochement] Sooooo gweat. Everybody "speaking English" and being "best fwiends" and ruling the world together as equals.... Right? WRONG After 1895, London snuggled up to the rising power USA, thinking such action would bring further easy victories, an expansion of own sphere of influence, while protect their Empire: Meanwhile, dividing their neighbors on the continent as a policy standpoint. What could possibly go wrong? "At the end of the war [WW2], Britain, physically devastated and financially bankrupt, lacked factories to produce goods for rebuilding, the materials to rebuild the factories or purchase the machines to fill them, or with the money to pay for any of it. Britain’s situation was so dire, the government sent the economist John Maynard Keynes with a delegation to the US to beg for financial assistance, claiming that Britain was facing a "financial Dunkirk”. The Americans were willing to do so, on one condition: They would supply Britain with the financing, goods and materials to rebuild itself, but dictated that Britain must first eliminate those Sterling Balances by repudiating all its debts to its colonies. The alternative was to receive neither assistance nor credit from the US. Britain, impoverished and in debt, with no natural resources and no credit or ability to pay, had little choice but to capitulate. And of course with all receivables cancelled and since the US could produce today, those colonial nations had no further reason for refusing manufactured goods from the US. The strategy was successful. By the time Britain rebuilt itself, the US had more or less captured all of Britain’s former colonial markets, and for some time after the war’s end the US was manufacturing more than 50% of everything produced in the world. And that was the end of the British Empire, and the beginning of the last stage of America’s rise." [globalresearch(dot)ca/save-queen/5693500] A "ring which ruled them all". The American Century. So they woke up one morning, only to discover that their "best fwiends forever" had stolen all their most profitable markets. *No markets = no trade = no money = no power = no "Empire".* US President Adams said there are two ways to enslave a people: one is with invasion, the other way through debt. They thought their American Century "best fwiends" would help out for free...TWICE. Right? WRONG... A minor detail the "oh so honest" lords forgot about, finally had an effect: *"Empires" don't have "friends".* Brits being squeezed like a lemon by US banks, having their Pound crushed by the US dominated IMF, being refused the mutually developed nukes to act as a deterrent against the SU's expansion, munching on war rations till way into the 1950s, losing the Suez Canal in a final attempt at "acting tough" and imposing hegemony over a vital sphere of interest...and going under...lol, "third fiddle" in the "Concerto de Cold War"... Maybe they should have informed themselves how "empires" tick, because there was another "ring". Good ol' USA didn't have to invade GB in order to succeed London as the "ruler of the world"... And after the war ended? They became the American Century's involuntary "little helpers", when Truman declared that the Brit's "best fwiends" (the commies in Moscow) were now suddenly the "new default enemy" (Truman Doctrine, 1946). Did they ask the London lords desperately selling everything they could get their hands on in an effort to save the Empire, if this was agreeable? ROTFL Of course not. Washington DC needed a lapdog, not an equal partner... So Brits lost their Empire fighting their "pwevious tempowawy best fwiends the commies", now the "new enemy" as declared by Washington DC. That's what happens if one has leaders that make the strongest continental power "the enemy" as a default setting. Hop over here for a "temporary best fwiend" this year, then hop over there for a "temporary best fwiend" the next. Hop, hop, hop...into extinction. Sad... A "nation" which needs to bomb women and kids to "have hope" or inspiration even during hard times, does not deserve to "rule the world". The post-WW2 bankrupcy was not only financial, but also moral... Good riddance to "ruling the world" then.

[@weeewoooooooo]

What do you think of America's handling of the reins then? 1914 onwards? Versailles? Washington naval conference? The lords game ended in 1916, everything else has been to America's credit. The divide and rule of the modern world is America's attempt to tear away the old. So it's much more up til 1916 British then onwards American for example your rightful rant on eastern Europe is the brain child or brain Fuck up Woodrow, the last thing British wanted was a divided eastern Europe ready for the Bolsheviks. 1916 onwards is America forcing Britain's signature to the western worlds future and this when people look back they see the signature but not the woefully ignorant or brutally ambitious USA.

[@ralphbernhard1757]

@@weeewoooooooo London got 2 chances to create a global balance of power, but they chose not to. Once around 1900, and another chance just after World War 1. They blew both chances, and after WW2 lost their markets to the "best friends" who squeezed them out of the most profitable markets of the world.

[@weeewoooooooo]

@@ralphbernhard1757 Ur shifting too much onto the British rather taking account the conservative french and Prussians.

[@morlockianhabits1974]

A "nation" which needs to bomb women and kids to "have hope" or inspiration even during hard times, does not deserve to "rule the world". Like fire bombing Japan, huh.

[@garylynch9206]

This is the comment section, not the essay section.

[@briandavid6879]

I can't understand shit that TAN CHEE KOOT is saying 16:15. Is this how the British teach their colonial subjects to speak, mumbling lazy, indecipherable, intoxicated drool? He could be telling the King where to get off and we'd never know..

[@brrrrr1112]

British documentaries are untouchable

[@tempestvideos9834]

The final blow was not the nuking of Hiroshima and Nagasaki. It was the Soviet invasion of Manchuria.

[@JohnSmith-fj1ku]

I recognize that British Empire was the most powerful nation in the world, but some British should know that their empire already gone for 20 years so don’t show others how good you are

[@ais5094]

@@andrewestbrook4473 or the untied states lol

[@dipanjanchakraboty1618]

not a single word on jallianwalabagh massacre

[@davidbillett5809]

Those naval chaps marching in baggy shorts looked like Jolly Roger puff boys.

[@tizocalonzo7652]

What does it profiteth a man if he gains the whole world but loses his soul?

[@marcusclark5330]

straight out of the fast show these guys

[@thedavidbrother2]

Oh the British aristocrats, who could be more outspoken and antiquated? (Of course continued in Harry and Paul).

[@ExiledSpiritunderground]

INCREdibLE SERiEs!,. RhOdESiAN 1s MY fAV Tho,.

[@michaeljohn2826]

Likewise, Rhodesia is an incredibly interesting, complex, and ultimately disastrous (for the now Zimbabwe) recent imperial debacle little appreciated and understood today just 40 years later.

[@fastpublish]

BETWEEN THE NEWS REELS AND THE CRICKET METAPHORS YOU HAVE TO LAUGH

[@mariizedits5858]

such revolting to watch now. All those clueless racists..

[@alexandrecosta2708]

Veni, Vidi, Audivi

[@ricardojibaja4248]

Lord Brockway doesn't know that what he is, it's the result of having grown in the English Empire.

[@moltedo37]

It was called the British empire but really it should have been called - The Norman Empire. When the Norman came in 1066 they were horrified by the natives brits. In fact they even didn’t bother to teach them French. But they soon realise that after few drinks they were very good fighters. So they used them to conquer the world.

[@Butterlord099]

U obivously dont know that the house of norman didnt rule for long over england

[@moltedo37]

I think you should check the history of Albion. There never was a - House of Norman. From 1066 England was ruled by the Norman Plantagenets up to the battle of Bosworth. About 400 hundred years. The Norman shaped modern England. By the way. The Normans never called themselves “ Plantagenets “ Plantagenet comes from the Latin - Planta ginesta -

[@Butterlord099]

@@moltedo37 the plantagenets are were not in power when the empire began

[@willhovell9019]

1945-69 the period that the whole thing unwound . I followed it my world stamp collection - from colonialism to partial freedom. Not a moment too soon. Malaya ,Kenya and Aden were vicious withdrawls and the partition partition of India

[@DavidGS66]

The Argentines knew the British could send a naval force because in 1806 & 1807 British twice tried to conquer Rio de la Plata (Argentina & Uruguay) after taking Cape Colony from Dutch.

[@jesusseoane2296]

Not the Argentinians ! At that moment in 1806-7 the Spanish!

[@clement3718]

Hahaha ! Those "little Japanese soldiers" beat the shit out of all these British soldiers !

[@mrstratau6513]

Didn't the Japanese LOSE the war? And not just lose, but were totally & utterly defeated, forced into unconditional surrender followed by total subjugation & the complete take over of their country.....That, of course was after the fire bombing of their capital & other cities, topped off with the extermination of two of their cities by atomic bombs. Now that's what I call, getting the, 'shit beaten out of you'......Hahaha !

[@franciscomunoz2222]

The way Britain treated Ireland for 800 years without devicing a creative policy for its neighbor, showed a predatory and caste plunder of its future overseas possessions which characterized it. I didn't use the word Empire on purpose. FDR was right.

[@tempestvideos9834]

HMS Prince of Wales prevailed heroically against the Germans and Italians. Then met seasoned Japanese bomber crews.

[@JR-iu8yl]

My right ear is lonely

[@robwilton9539]

Percival is undoubtedly the most embarrassing coward ever to hold a commission.

[@markbeale7390]

A true percival, lacking in strong appearance .

[@أفلاكالأفكار]

"I do not believe the Japanese will be so stupid as to do this." Always contemplate the unthinkable....

[@johnathanryan2117]

Folk can say what they like about Empire and Colonialism. And they do, because its fashionable to do so especially to denigrate it or focus on its decline. Thats the way of things nowadays. However, for a tiny rock in the North Sea to run an empire over a quarter of the world. (4.08) and build it over centuries ( along with other European powers) is a feat that in fairness isnt given the recognition or credit such an undertaking should get.

[@dranzergigs8333]

Same can be said about communism. Despite all the hate it was getting it spread like wildfire throughout the world.

[@AnBreadanFeasa]

Would you say the same about the Mongol empire? The largest contiguous land empire in history but it doesn't get much admiration from those who admire the murderous British empire.

[@johnathanryan2117]

@@AnBreadanFeasa id probably comment on that if i was watching a documentary about it. This is a doc about the British Empire, your last few words show you arent a fan, and thats fair enough. Im sure the Mongol empire asked nicely and took everyone tea and cakes when they were invading their land empire too.

[@AnBreadanFeasa]

@@johnathanryan2117 That's a reasonable reply, and you are quite correct I'm not a fan of the empire. In fact I'm not a fan of the Mongols, Mughals, Ottomans, Romans or any of them, though I recognise they are all functions of human ambition, power, greed, circumstances and timing. My underlying point is that no empire should get "recognition or credit" for their achievements. Historiography is normally written by the victors but it is an unusual time at present in that there is much pushback from the descendants of the victims of imperial undertakings. Most British people have no idea of the actual history of empire (e.g. who invented concentration camps... what was the greatest loss of life in peacetime in the UK... what was the greatest wartime loss of life in the history of the empire?). Unfortunately this creates a false nostalgia that has led to Brexit (the stupidest thing Britain has done since sending the Prince of Wales to Malaya in 1942) and the continued acceptance of the British class system. Personally, the lesson of all empires should be singular: Never Again. Regretfully we still see horrific aftermath in the Gaza war currently, for which the British Empire was the architect, though the French had a pretty significant input also. Anyway, all the best and the answers to the questions are: (1) the British during the Boer Wars; (2) The Irish Famine 1845-50 (yes, they were UK subjects at the time; (3) the Bengali Famine of 1943, in which between 3 and 8 million died ("no-one" bothered to count).

[@tempestvideos9834]

You've got to admire the bearing of the British of that time. Civilized, confident, and dignified.

[@rameshbhattacharjee4374]

Isn't It Ironic The Land Of The Rising Sun Ended The Empire That The Sun Would Not Set On

[@stopitnow7762]

Next up: The Death of the american Empire 🍿

[@lenwilkinson672]

And of course the world is. The happiest prosprtous peaceful and safest planet in the universe. Just look at it know.almost on the brink of god knows what. Bottoms up.

[@1800cc-Dead-Meat]

Actually the beginning of the end was 1776, the Atlantic Charter was just a goodbye, good luck letter.

[@joedias7946]

Talking about chip on the shoulders . It was like carrying a sack of potatoes ....

[@TheScoopGorrilla]

Obviously a British documentary highly biased against the British classic 1970s propaganda

[@lifelongbachelor3651]

thank you to the english empire for bringing freedom, education, prosperity and modernity to so many parts of the world.

[@lifelongbachelor3651]

@Pedro Ortega while every wokie illiterate is quick to point to the west as being abhorrent slave traders, the practice was begun by the two most troglodyte cultures on earth, namely north african (arabic) followed by african. in fact, many ancient cultures show history of it. the west later took advantage of it but the practice well predates english, french, portugese and american involvement. further, nobody alive today is responsible for it, so it is one for the history books only.

[@monklast9752]

Bummer dude

[@alistairdancepmm]

Lord Brockway, what a soppy dope

[@peterbradshaw8018]

Best Empire yet....just the sread of the common law.

[@EdMcF1]

2:49 A man who could not bear to see the West succeed, the type Orwell wrote about, who would rather be known to have stolen from the Poor Box in church than to have stood for the national anthem. He did not cheer the mock execution of a Falkland Islander by Argentine troops, but what would he have done to stop it if he could?

[@juansantana8448]

Time waits for no-one, least of all for the Brits.

[@paulgaskins7713]

Lol 3:26 British Bernie

[@TheScoopGorrilla]

Lord Brockway quisling

[@henryviii6341]

compare the way Britain behaved with its Empire vs Japan , Germany. , Belgium , Holland. , France and indeed even inside race-segregated USA in 19yth & 20th C. Compare what the Spanish Portuguese did in South Central America. or the Chinese to Tibet. On balance British Empire was a power for good in the World and most of the ex colonies were WAY better off INSIDE the Empire than independent.

[@thedavidbrother2]

To be fair, the British seemed less keen on massacres than other imperialists, but still had their share. Still most of the spoils ended in The City, didn't it. Like it still does...

[@henryviii6341]

@@thedavidbrother2 pulling others up whilst making yourself rich is no bad thing. Roman Empire did the same with Britain and Europe. Like Imperial Rome Britain brought peace security infrastructure legal system and wealth. Britain did not steal the gold kill an entire culture and population like the Spanish Portuguese did in Latin America or the US settlers did to the Indians in the Americas. U.K. always about trade peace and prosperity. History is about context. You can’t apply 21stC morals to our ancestors - if you do that almost everybody was guilty. Different times different laws and standards. But 🇬🇧 vs all other empires previously and since was benign and just and tried to bring civilisation not at point of a gun but by capitalism trade money and goodwill. mistakes made yes who hasn’t. but am proud. and so be to be British and our history.

[@mrstratau6513]

@@thedavidbrother2 what massacres did the British carry out?

[@hakapeszimaki8369]

@@mrstratau6513 many

[@mrstratau6513]

@@hakapeszimaki8369 thanks for your unsubstantiated comment

[@andrewwhite5053]

The rush to decolonization post-WWII pushed by the Democrat FDR was a drastic mistake. Colonial rule was evolving and doing far more good for nations than harm by this point. The rush to decolonize led to the disasters we've seen in Africa and Asia until present day. Language, the Commonwealth, Democracy, rule of law, education, infrastructure would simply not exist in much of the world were it not for the British, Dutch, and others. The US simply wanted Britain to know it was now the new boss on the block (and let's be real, it was), however, the end of imperialism did not need to be rushed. In places like Hong Kong there is now extreme nostalgia to the point that many are calling for the return of British rule (not that that will ever happen), but BBC propaganda of the British Empire as "bad" simply is false and doesn't tell the true story. India would be hundreds of impoverished, hopeless states instead of a rising power. The list goes on and on.

[@TheBardicDruid]

+andrew white "The rush to decolonization post-WWII pushed by the Democrat FDR was a drastic mistake" Wow, you failed history, FDR was dead by the end of WWII. The simple truth is people got tired of being ruled by tyrannical, arrogant idiots who could care less about them. We were the first ones who got tired of your BS and kicked you out in 1776.

[@manasseskamau5327]

Surprisingly I my thoughts align with yours despite my forebears having been brutalized by Her Majesty's soldiers and police in Kenya. I suppose it'd have been better to have Britain ruling the world for another 50 years.

[@mrstratau6513]

@@TheBardicDruid yes, they wanted their own tyrannical, arrogant idiots who could care less about them.

[@douglasb5046]

Well said

[@maku8075]

Without the foolish sepoys and servants from British India this wouldn't have been possible.

[@xavisanchez7522]

And you all still have no clue how it all started 😂