Historian Reacts - Zulu Empire #1 (Extra History)

[@thomashiggins9320]

I have the book, "The Washing of the Spears: The Rise and Fall of the Zulu Nation," by Donald R. Morris, 2nd Edition, De Capo Press, 1998. It goes into the four decade history of the Zulu expansion, and the conflict with the British, in detail. I highly recommend it as a good initial overview of the topic.

[@VloggingThroughHistory]

Thanks for the recommendation, Thomas!

[@thomashiggins9320]

@@VloggingThroughHistory My pleasure. Looking forward to the rest of your reactions. :)

[@danielsmith1190]

Now I have another book to buy, thanks! Hahah

[@patrickrobinson7541]

It’s always amazing to see someone who are already very knowledgeable in history try to expand their knowledge of history and admit that they don’t know everything about history yet still have enough knowledge to add some commentary to the video …this is why I believe VTH is among the best

[@MWMTEE]

I like these more because hes actually reacting too it where the other ones like civilwar hes like an encyclopaedia and knows more than the video lol

[@rhett1029]

@@MWMTEE I like it when he adds to it instead of people who just nod the whole time or make a shocked face

[@patrickrobinson7541]

@@MWMTEE haha yeah he is like an encyclopedia when it comes to the American civil war

[@patrickrobinson7541]

@@rhett1029 yeah me too

[@WilliamA-]

Spot on

[@bfure1]

Thank you for pointing out that oral histories were not just games of telephone over the generations. I feel like they get disregarded too often.

[@rasmusn.e.m1064]

Plato citing Socrates' opinion on the people that write: "They will cease to exercise memory because they rely on that which is written, calling things to remembrance no longer from within themselves, but by means of external marks."

[@JevArchives]

@@rasmusn.e.m1064some people are willing to refuse what’s written too and it’s wild I don’t want to ruin Mr. VTH’s comment section but this is one of the things that divides the United States; where you get your info from

[@QuackAttack]

0:49 I watched that two years ago and it was pretty interesting... my family is from Ghana (in West Africa) so it was nice to see a show about African history. I still enjoy European history the most but it's the lesser known stories in history I apprecriate the most (for example, De Oost, which is about the Indonesian War of Independence). I still await the day a show or film depicts the Ashanti (which is my dad's family's tribe) and their empire back in the 18th century

[@jacobnugent8159]

I agree, personal stories or lesser known stories are the best

[@benjamies4136]

This is the age of the internet, not movies my friend. Start your own series detailing the Ashanti on KZbin, I'm sure you would find alot more people who genuinely will care and retain the information, plus VTH may even react! :)

[@plazmikpond]

ay Man love ur MLP pfp, u earned a Sub.

[@tebohomotsoeneng5994]

Very interesting as always 😊. So just a few additional details to keep in mind. The history of colonialism in South Africa, followed a very unique path as compared to the history of colonialism in the rest of Africa. One difference for example is that European’s had already settled in the Cape by the early to mid 1600’s. And also keep in mid that the Cape was initially a Dutch colony, well technically a Dutch East India Company colony, but you get the point. So, it’s important to note that by the time that this story of Shaka Zulu unfolds, there was already an enormous well established European colony within the region. And thus, there was already an enormous amount of European influence within the region. And also, the amount of demographic and cultural change that this “Mfecane” period would cause in the region, cannot be understated…

[@mrr9636]

That trade with the Dutch is also how maize got there

[@marklewis948]

I loved watching this as someone from South Africa and knowing a bit it's always interesting to see someone foreign taking an interest in our history

[@davidjackson6475]

Shaka pretty much turned what was more of a mass judicial duel into actual warfare.

[@navajoguy8102]

The Zulu old way of intertribal fighting was similar to counting coup or lacrosse games around the Great Lakes region. Old European/American testimonies talked about how in the Plains two tribes would "battle" by jousting each other off their mounts using the coup stick, which was a ceremonial staff like weapon and wasn't edged or lethal at all. Course this would change overtime especially when guns enter the scenario.

[@Cramblit]

I never knew they had their own form of "Jousting" like the Europeans did. Thanks for that interesting tid bit :)

[@liambenn1214]

It’s very interesting to me, looking at rorkes drift specifically, how whilst in Europe we developed by adding range to combat with bows and the introduction of guns, the Zulu went the opposite way, they went from using range and spears to using close quarters combat. I think this just proves that neither is more effective by itself, what makes it effective is what your enemy is using.

[@thatindiandude4602]

If shaka had been born 1500 years ago, the Zulusight have ended up more formidable than they were.

[@cupi467]

no, guns are better

[@30whacko11]

I'm so glad that you have decided to look into the history of the Zulu Kingdom. The Anglo-Zulu War was a major influence in igniting my love for history and military history specifically.

[@FeyTheBin]

"I'm excited about this year!" Man, I miss that.

[@dinobro3504]

I think it would be cool to see you react to the series on Otto Von Bismarck by Extra Credits after you’re done with this

[@VloggingThroughHistory]

Did that one several months ago!

[@HistoryNerd808]

This should be good and fun. Happy New Year, VTH! I know I've mentioned it before but I think it would be interesting to see a reaction to their Early Christian Schisms series, considering your background as a pastor.

[@i.candig-it]

I love your disclaimer about oral histories in indigenous cultures. very often people *require* empirical or written evidence of things, not understanding that many cultures assign remembering history to an individual or group of individuals, as you mentioned. In West Africa they are called griots. A former professor of mine, a Black American descended from a tribe in West Africa, went there to visit the continent and the village his ancestors were from. When he told the local griot his last name, the man told him about his great great grandfather and other members of his family. This is not about making up stories for fun or entertainment in these cultures, it's about honoring our ancestors and the lives they lived, as forgetting them or altering them is seen as damn near sinful

[@jake5773]

I love that mini series! I remember watching it as a kid also.

[@reygonzalez4719]

Okay so here's a discussion we call have. What constitutes something as an Empire? Because the textbook definition of empire is "an extensive group of states or countries under a single supreme authority, formerly especially an emperor or empress". With that definition the Zulus are more of a kingdom in my eyes especially in comparison to other African empires like the Songhai and Abyssinia. It could just be semantics but I like to hear what you guys think constitutes a Empire and not a kingdom.

[@tebohomotsoeneng5994]

I actually agree with this view! I think that people might get a better understanding of the period by looking at the story of the rise of Shaka as the rise of a tribe into a kingdom... Not an empire🤔.

[@Sacredearthproject]

It is officially the Zulu kingdom, the zulu empire is a moniker it seems.

[@reygonzalez4719]

@@Sacredearthproject you see that's nice and everything but that's where the confusion starts. By using the word empire you starts to imply a much more complex and develop forms of government and Logistics in running such a large state. Now I'm not doubting the efficiency and intelligence of the Zulu people I'm pretty sure in comparison to their other indigenous neighbors they probably were more complex, intelligent, and cultured, but implying the word empire even as a moniker does actually start to spread more confusion.

[@sunkings5972]

Here's why the Zulu were definitely an empire imho: 1. Here in the very first video Shaka united several tribes so by the definition provided, it's an empire. Like Ghengis Khan lead an empire of mongolian tribes to conquer half the developed world at the time, just much much smaller scale. 2. African Tribes had similar structure to European Kingdoms just smaller scales but they were completely independent people with their own leaders, laws, traditions, and often language. 3. I dont know for sure but its likely at the time of his assisination, multiple languages would have been spoken in the Zulu army. I could be wrong but I cant think of any traditional kingdoms where multiple regional languages were spoken. Even if so they would have been under the rule of one King like tribes have their own leaders with no higher authority. 4. One can play Zulu in the Civilization games.

[@Sacredearthproject]

@@sunkings5972 Officially it's a kingdom also known as the kingdom of Zululand. The Zulu is of Natal culture which breaks the empirical definition of having many different countries and cultures. If it was just subgroups every kingdom would be an empire. Empires include sovereign states like the United Kingdom, the Holy Roman Empire etc which spanned multiple continents or contained hundreds of kingdoms who answered to one sovereign.

[@liamsuter1267]

Im currently doing history of one of my highschool subjects in South Africa ,it's nice to hear your comments on the topic .

[@bazil83]

Huge huge congrats on your channel's growth in 2021, you deserve all the subscribers you have, and many more!! I took a keen interest in history during the worst of the pandemic lockdowns, but when I discovered your channel, my interest sky rocketed! I know so much more about history thanks in large part to your channel really inspiring me. I even helped our team win a pub quiz a couple months ago from historical facts I learned directly from your videos (one was about the location of the shot heard around the world). The prize was £30 in drinks vouchers from the pub, so I literally owe your a couple beers! 😆🍻 Remember - I'm but one of thousands of others who truly appreciate the time, effort, and work you put in on this channel! Happy New Year! ❤️

[@vuchaser99]

This is exciting... I too was a huge fan of the Shaka mini series or Marathon to me. It was presented on either AMC or History straight through... I caught the middle of the first hour and got hooked, stayed home and had my first binge of a show in 1999. Makes me want to binge it again.

[@feirisWheel]

So, any Wheel of Time fans will recognize the bull horns tactic as the same combat style as the Aiel , right down to the use of spears in combat. Glad to learn where RJ got the idea from!

[@wiseone1013]

This is an interesting story and looking forward when the Boers and British start the inevitable fighting. This was after an incident earlier where Dingaan, the predecessor of Shaka, killed the Boer entourage who came to negotiate, setting the stage for what was to follow.

[@bigevil1001]

"Predecessor" You mean "successor" . Right?

[@raikbarczynski6582]

Spears and shields of oxen hide facing uniforms and guns :) oh i love that song.. and the movie is so good

[@muslim2k]

Video: *says literally anything* Chris: So I had an ancestor...

[@devilmaycry09dante]

Happy new year Chris, wish the best to your family. And honestly I havent watched the Zulu Empire because like you I had no prior knowledge about them. Probably the only thing I know about them is the movie and Histoey Buff's review. Thanks for always being inspiring for me to learn more.

[@McCullogh]

What a way to start the year. Such a great video and a chance to educate my self on Shaka and the Zulus beyond Civilization 6. Really hope you can travel to us here in Europe soon, I did see that France imposed some new rules about travelling for none EU-Citizens but hope that doesnt affect your plans. And thanks for all the amazing content 2021 (videos were you rank stuff are my favourites) and hope you and your family have a fantastic 2022.

[@commiecrusader3064]

All I know is thatEU4 has Zulu rebels which I think is pretty cool

[@yochitoranaga]

think you can follow up that series with a reaction to sabaton's Rorke's drift and the accompanying sabaton history?

[@JaredLukeBernon]

As a South African who did History up to grade 12, in primary school we actually learnt more about the initial group of people living in what is known as South Africa, we only learn about the Zulu tribe and the greatest Zulu leader King Shaka in high-school. They are the Khoisan and Khoi. Nomadic tribes who were largely hunter-gatherers who lived on the land. They were then chased in a series of minor wars by the Zulu's (Bantu who lived a more stationary farming lifestyle) after they migrated downwards from the Middle Africa downwards. Thats why history shows the the Khoi often lighter (in skin colour) are shown staying by the Cape (West Coast of South Africa) and the Zulu who did inhibit the East Coast and often extended inwards being darker due to the fact they originated from middle Africa closer to the equator.

[@JaredLukeBernon]

I will say that there is racial tension among the four major racial groups blacks, whites, coloureds and indians (actual races in current South Africa) and tensions between coloureds and blakcs originated from the hatred Khois (who ended up becoming coloureds) and Zulus (who are deemed as black people) had. The whites (the British, Dutch and other Europeans involved) have deep tension with the other races, because of their slavery with the coloureds and Blake's and their just as harsh lifestyle that the indentured workers (indians) had in what is KwaZulu-Natat today. Racial tension is down to how segregation from the Apartheid government (National Party at the time) caused people to be skeptical of other races before the three who were discriminated joined together along with those whites who did oppose segregation. But I will say that even though we see it as a broad racial tension. There is also tension among each race. Whites who aren't majorly dutch are skeptical of the whites who are rather British and vice versa. Those who are khoi and still deemed to dark to be coloured (Xhosa speaking people) are skeptical of the Zulu people and vice versa even though they are all deemed black. Its a very pressing situation. There is small tension between coloureds from different area codes (cause most coloureds originated from either khoi or Zulu people appropriating with white people). And while there isn't much separation between the Indian communities tension among then usually originated from gangster type fights that often occurred majorly in coloured communities.

[@mogaumashego8017]

My fellow south Africans

[@mogaumashego8017]

If you get it you are south African

[@JaredLukeBernon]

@@mogaumashego8017 Cyril got us stressing when he says this😂

[@mogaumashego8017]

EXACTLY

[@ryansigo3570]

I also was fascinated with history and watched Shaka Zulu on PBS I believe. When it came out. Great show.

[@MrWhiteytidy]

I always enjoy these videos, I've loved history since I was a kid watching the history channel non stop. To the point where it would irritate my sister's lol, I'm so happy others share my passions with me

[@sclarke6969]

hoping rewatching this will be better. O was so excited to have a non "West" history series, but just couldn't get into this when it first aired. (love early extra history as well, it's just this series for whatever reason) let's see!

[@robertjarman3703]

"I am really looking forward to 2022." - Christopher. "He will regret that statement." - Narrator.

[@ConkerVonZap]

Louis-Napoléon is my favorite figure from this period, what a badass.

[@mattotundrie244]

I come from Australia and am Aboriginal and oral histories are such an important part of maintaining culture and history, hopefully they start to become more and more prominent and trusted in future years

[@JohnGalt916]

I'm shocked anyone else remembers that shacks Zulu miniseries. I saw it as a kid and would bring it up. People looked at me like I was speaking in Morris code.

[@Charles-js3ri]

Very excited to see the ww1 battlefield vlogs.

[@iwillrebel1518]

Extra history guy has the best voice ever! Such a shame he didnt do the irish series. Btw great commentary as always, keep up the work, cheers from Finalnd :)

[@6paths142]

Moment I saw this I had to stop what I was doing and watch.

[@dylan4ie]

South African here✌🏻 Nice to see you react to some content about our nation's history

[@Neel-xb1ok]

Happy New Year, Chris Love your consistent uploads

[@costellotocustelow03]

Love the channel!, Happy New Year to you and your family! Many blessings 🎉🎊🙏🏼

[@sarky387]

I would love some Napoleonic content in his series on travelling.

[@nunogarces1628]

Great reaction as always Chris. Happy new year.

[@connorwilliamson2660]

Most great conquests are based on the tactics used by leaders like Napoleon and how he reformed the way the French fought wars that completely caught his enemies of guard same with the Germans in ww2

[@CallumKemp23]

Not an area I know much about so great to start the new year with something new!

[@johndoe6260]

Really excited for Europe content from the battlefields

[@RTheStoryteller7]

This is quiet fascinating to see a historical story and figure outside of Europe and USA, i would recommend to see the Indonesian history of Srivijaya and Majapahit by Extra History as well!

[@KenVic02]

Hey, Chris...I just watched Weird History's latest post "The Wildest General From the Civil War". It's about General Sickles, and thought of this being right in your wheelhouse for a reaction. It's a somewhat lighthearted channnel with a wide variety of topics; you've probably heard of it. Hope you had a great New Year!

[@jsplash8569]

Need the part two quickly

[@sarahellie4113]

Happy New Year Chris!!! Thanks for making the year better!!! Great video as always!!!!

[@TheTexasCowboy56]

Been hoping for a while he might do this one.

[@ryhthelegend3106]

is anybody else reminded of ender from ender's game when they mention shaka's tactics?

[@Primeczek]

Happy new year!

[@Deimnos]

Happy New Year!

[@Yora21]

Colonialism was first focused on America because the native local states had been completely decimated by diseases. When some 85 to 95% of the population is dying in a generation or two, the few survivors are not going to put up much of a fight. The African kingdoms didn't have that problem, so it took a lot more firepower advantage to conquer them. Colonialism in Africa really only starts after the Napoleonic Wars.

[@TheAngryXenite]

Well, also, Africa is significantly less hospitable to people in general, but especially to Europeans. Rampant malaria, sleeping sickness, hostile wildlife, and climates that are typically either too arid to support advanced settlements or overgrown and choked by jungle. It took a lot of technological advancement to bypass a lot of this, and then you have the issue of the people living there already that you already mentioned.

[@suanlanty1042]

Happy New Year, Mr.VTH!

[@annaaquitaine4225]

In the beginning of the video taking about war being kind of ritual, I understand like Ancient Greece and some other places, could it be a matter of honor? Or maybe it’s simply a part of the etiquette?

[@kittiepride7772]

Your reaction to ERB Zulu vs Julius Cesar was very insightful, I have seen history teachers react with less facts and information to contribute than yourself, kind of an unofficial history teacher to the world :) I posted earlier but I think KZbin deleted it because it contained a link to ERB2 King Henry VIII vs Hillary Clinton that I would be interested in seeing your reaction, keep on doing what you do.

[@arctickwg5793]

Happy new year everyone

[@zacharyclark3693]

For some reason this reminded me of ancient Greek city states. They would have small battles occasionally, and developed the phalanx formation. I'm not an expert on Greek history, but somehow Greece under Alexander the Great went from a group of city states (equivalent to tribes?) to a unified empire. The unification of Germany (which happened closer to Shaka's lifetime than ancient Greece) is another example of a conglomeration of states with a common language and location that become a powerful nation after becoming unified.

[@jldldr3933]

Happy new year from Spain to my favourite ohaioan!

[@mogaumashego8017]

Yo thanks for diving into my cousin's family I hope you enjoy

[@laughsatchungus1461]

you should do either their series on Joan of Arc or on Rasputin next!

[@dayanandaedirisinghe8745]

Man, I can't wait to hear WW1 war stories by you, makes wanna to visit foreign historical sites.

[@dr.atheist3087]

Happy New Year to all

[@Samuel-vw4yv]

Happy New Year everyone

[@amynurss1375]

More history for New Years! Happy 2022!

[@marcelostalker]

Shaka here proving that somethng basic and simple can be extremely effective if used right.

[@Johnny-Thunder]

As someone who has read a thing or two about Zulu history (but wouldn't call himself an expert) I got a few remarks: 1: 2:24 This may be true in spirit, since the Zulu army had a huge technological disadvantage compared to the British, but technically speaking they did not have 'nothing more than spears', some Zulus did have firearms, mostly older muskets, bought from European arms dealers (also after the battle of Isandlwana they had Martini-Henry's looted from the dead). Obviously the European settlers who depended on their superior arms for survival didn't like these arms dealers: if they caught them they would nail them to the wheels of their wagons and leave them to fry in the sun. 2: 6:08 The idea that war in Southern Africa before Shaka kaSenzangakhona was like a ritual or a sports competition and that Shaka basically invented killing is being disputed by some historians now. I tend to agree, because lets be honest here: the idea that there used to be some lost paradise where almost nobody killed eachother, a time before evil came to the world, sounds very much like mythological hippie talk. I believe it is more likely that Shaka did not invent mass killing in war, just improved the ways to do that, by introducing all those things mentioned in the video. If the Zulus were the only ones who were warring in this way I think Shaka never would have had to fight his enemies like Zwide for so long (also it was said that Zwide's mother collected skulls of her enemies, so she certainly liked killing). 3: 12:01 Dingiswayo may very well have been assasinated by Shaka, who then took control of the kingdom and blamed Zwide for the murder to rile up the Zulus against him. But of course the Zulu oral history is pro-Shaka, so if he did it I guess we'll never know...

[@JLS639]

If you want to look at African history, I recommend History With Cy on Ancient Nubia and on the Kingdom of Aksum

[@schuylerkandarian7325]

Happy New year! May this one not suck!

[@trentonebel9088]

Hi Chris! Happy New Year! Just curious where I can find any of your Discord Servers to join the community there? Thanks!

[@DetroitMuscle]

I really hope you can cover Nigeriens being conscripted into the French army to fight the Germans during WW2.

[@EclipticF1]

Being a South African I love to see this

[@AngelWolf12]

Happy New Year history buffs! Lets shoot for a safe and calm year, yeah? Last couple of years have been very dramatic, so lets just not do that this year and enjoy some history videos.

[@jordanpax9735]

Would love to see more African history explored, most stuff is very euro-centric

[@thehistory5401]

The Vietnam or Korean War for this guy

[@matthewhaynes6667]

I think you should watch the Dumb Russian voyage nobody talks about by BlueJay he’s kind of like Sam O’Nella academy

[@ayo9002]

Can you do the Boer war please I am from South Africa and i want to see the video about that

[@jacobnugent8159]

Do extra history’s Saipan episodes

[@DankSwegSkuxxXhayel]

This is gonna be a good series!

[@florianhock4155]

I just remember that in Civilization 5 Shaka was my favorite charakter

[@Alec0124]

Good luck Chris!

[@ancientknight9805]

Dude you gotta watch shake zulu the series it's very interesting

[@jabbatheslut7406]

in my opinion the zulous were more of a kingdom than an empire, especially compared to the ones up north like the mali, and songhai empire

[@bigevil1001]

Define "empire?"

[@Lukdnuke_Narson]

Could you react to Monsieur Z’s “7 Ages of America and the presidents behind them”

[@anirudhsolaimalai5157]

plz do a reaction to the sengoko jidai next plzzz

[@MiosPanties]

Are you planning on doing Extra History's Joan of Arc series?

[@raobrien5448]

this was very much like early celtic warfare

[@JohnGalt916]

That's one way to win a fight. Only fight people who can't fight. Lol it's kinda like Jake Paul boxing MMA guys whose focus was grappling. Lol

[@nate1066pollock]

Very interesting

[@samuraigaming7523]

Lol I am Zulu and it is interesting to see people react to us

[@Thraim.]

There's a fun Shaka Zulu vs. Julius Caesar Epic Rap Battle of History. Edit: I just realised there's already a reaction to that on the channel.

[@arctickwg5793]

Has anybody got any nw years resolutions?

[@realpunkfruit]

cgp grey? :)

[@yj9032]

THIS IS AWESOME!!! Finally some non western content !!!

[@phantomtitan9792]

Interesting

[@SnepBlepVR]

Tmw you realize that until 2030 everything is going to just be sequels of 2020… (2020:1)(2020:2)(2020:3) (etc.)

[@Proriin]

Have you thought about doing Tik Tok history? Lots of channels do it and I feel like you could also stand out there.

[@Dragonite43]

To be fair, even with written history, they aren't always accurate either. Edit: NEW JERSEY!

[@frankrechter8113]

I like you´re beard🤠