How Canada Became Independent: Mackenzie King

Learn about William Lyon Mackenzie King, the first prime minister of independent Canada, he guided Canada through World War II and obtained full independence from England but also had a lot of weird beliefs in the occult.
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[@singingbeaker]

I've learned more from JJ's video than grade 10 Canadian history.

[@matteovillella1482]

With our education curriculum, I can believe that.

[@MRayner59]

@@matteovillella1482 Or maybe he just wasn't paying attention. Which wouldn't be entirely surprising considering that Canadian history is quite infamously "boring" to many students; at least when compared to that of certain other countries.

[@simpson82k]

Yep, my sentiments exactly. Not just learned more, but has made me care about learning more also :)

[@TrickiVicBB71]

Our Social Studies tended to focus on other parts of the world than about Canada.

[@MaliciousSRT]

I remember having a very smart history teacher in grade 10, but more importantly I simply didn't care and only did the bare minimum to get a passing grade.

[@Hans_Niemand]

"Canada in WWII" would be a great topic. This was the first time I've heard of Japanese Internment in Canada.

[@MRdaBakkle]

Me too I knew that the US had interment camps for Japanese but didn't know Canada did as well.

[@Udontkno7]

@@MRdaBakkle tbh

[@ericcartmann]

@@MRdaBakkle They had german camps too.

[@coledavlan1711]

Eric Cartman we had German POW camps. We didn’t take German-Canadians and put them in camps.

[@blairmaddock8998]

@@coledavlan1711 We inturned about 2000 German and Italian, the Germans were in some cases the third generation. In WWI we inturned Austro Hungarians with the first being Fort Henery.

[@templar19]

King's superstition is honestly frightening. Just think; Canada's wartime efforts, independence, and social reform may have gone very differently if King's dog had barked twice at breakfast rather than once.

[@MissionHomeowner]

His house in Quebec, a 30 minute drive from Ottawa, is a public historic park or whatever its called. I went there 30 years ago. Scary. You get to see the grandfather clock that got us in to WWII when we did.

[@marc21091]

Fortunately Winston Churchill and Franklin Roosevelt were not superstitious and they took the major decisions in WW2.... their diplomatic advisers must have told them about Mackenzie King though, so perhaps they were careful not to ask him to share in their decisions. Churchill met CD Howe several times during the conflict; and must have regarded him as the crucial Canadian leader who could ensure war supplies; which he was.

[@Sorcerers_Apprentice]

He never married, had few close personal friends and most of his family died within a short years of each other. His superstition probably stemmed from his loneliness and desire to connect with family.

[@daerdevvyl4314]

Mas Gonderawi Yes, but there’s a difference between that and making decisions based on “signs.”

[@Bongaboi151]

It's the stuff of anime epic plot lines. One Piece-like.

[@Ben-sw4ml]

The independence of “white commonwealth” countries is something that is rarely discussed in Britain. I found this video to be very enlightening.

[@BobDaPumpkin]

Especially America right? That must be hard talk about LMAO 😂

[@GFSLombardo]

YES, THE Brish colonies in North AMERICA (Canada and thecolonies which would form the USA) Australia, New Zealand, were called the Brish Empires' "white colonies".

[@GFSLombardo]

YES, The British colonies in North America (Canada and the 13 colonies which would form the USA) Australia, New Zealand, were called the British Empires' "white colonies". Those were the 'good old days" when words like colonialism, imperialism,militarism and even racism were all considered to be "good words". But that was then-this is now.

[@DrLennieSmall]

We don't teach decolonisation much at all, occasionally as part of the world wars/cold war/immigration history lessons, but the white dominions are even then sharing with Africa, India, the Caribbean, etc. If it was up to me there would be a whole chunk of lessons on South Africa(say in year 9 or 10 when kids are still in mandatory history but mature enough to comprehend it), you have colonisation, native treatment, immigration, Indian influence, guerillas and inter-European racism, world and cold wars, apartheid, modern African politics, and so on. It's a good microcosm of the past 2 or so centuries and still relevant today whilst being less controversial than other examples.

[@thevividbookmark1235]

It's about Indian elections, do watch kzbin.info/www/bejne/mKrGg4KllKZrf7s

[@ThatOneGuy8305]

These videos on Canadian history are my favorite things you've done on this channel. It's always interesting to hear about the less-public history of another nation as someone from the states - all of the dark moments in US history are so globally acknowledged that it can create an impression of America as a particularly dark place. Amazing work and I can't wait to see more!

[@Kuce]

Yes more Canadian history! My teachers in high school social studies were so boring! You actually make it fun.

[@JJMcCullough]

Thank you! How do I make it fun?

[@z-past1454]

J.J. McCullough Your information on fun facts is something teachers don’t express and they seem to ignore the personality of these people in history. Presentation is also fun too with all those gaming effects

[@templar19]

@@JJMcCullough I also appreciate that you tell, not necessarily everything, but give a real snapshot of these figures. My socials classes gave very sterilized versions of these people, making them seem like self-made bastions of virtue and strength. Talking about their eccentricities and failures makes them more interesting, and also makes them feel more like real people.

[@JJMcCullough]

Floyd Palmer Thank you! I personally think it’s more important to summarize broad themes than just recite names and dates in a stiff sequence.

[@Kuce]

@@JJMcCullough yeah basically what all these guys said and more. Plus I love those snappy sound effects!

[@eldoradolou]

Thank you for your channel J.J. You actually make Canada and Canadian subjects more interesting to me, an American.

[@JJMcCullough]

Hey guys, if you like my channel consider giving some love to my faithful sponsor Skillshare! Here’s the link to the offer: skl.sh/jjmccullough5

[@sjorsaartsen6227]

J.J. McCullough if you’re serious about making a video about a non-canadian PM you might want to consider doing one on a Dutch PM, as a nod to your heritage. We’ve got loads of obscure but impactful politicians your audience has probably never heard of. Send me a message if you’re looking for any tips or research about them.

[@kitmelby8545]

You should do Sir John A. McDonald.

[@fjusposting2103]

You should make a video about Carlos Luz, President of Brazil from November 9th to november 11th, 1959 and one of shortest heads of state by time in office. the history starts in August 1954, when Getúlio Vargas (President of Brazil [1930-1945] [1951-1954]) commits suicide after a political crisis, his Vice-President Café Filho takes officeand stays there until 1955, in 1955 a presidential election takes place and Juscelino Kubischek of the Social-Democratic Party is elected by 35% of the vote while his rival of the National Democratic Union (UDN in Portuguese) only won 33%, in November 1955 the UDN tries to convince the military and the politicians to prevent the inauguration of Kubischek, President Café Filho was part of this coup plan (because he believed that the Social-Democratic Party should had united with the UDN), but he had health problems and is sent to a hospital, the Speaker of the Chamber of Deputies becomes acting president, Luz fires the Minister of War, Marschal Henrique Teixeira Lott (Lott was a obstacle to the plot), so Lott discovers that President Carlos Luz was involved in the plot, in the day 11 of november he orders armed troops to arrest President Luz, Luz escapes in a Ship that is heavily bombarded but is able to escape, that same day Lott calls congress to impeach Luz, the President of the Senate Nereu Ramos takes office as acting President, then President Café Filho tries to get back to tye presidency, but Lott prevents him from doing that by impeaching him, Acting President Nereu Ramos declares state of emergency until Juscelino Kubischek is inaugurated in January 31th 1956.

[@putikeswarasudarsono]

1:50 it's Jordan, not Palestine

[@ilmonicodeme8790]

Urho Kekkonen 25v!!!!!!

[@ThePolerbearproducts]

I love these Canadian History videos! Being American the only thing I really learned about Canada was that they were our Allies in WWI and II and that we torched Montreal and Quebec City during the Revolution and that was why the British burnt down the White House in the War Of 1812. Nothing else. So I love learning about all this “new” stuff about our “neighbor upstairs” if you will.

[@TochThijsWeer]

I can almost bet that the next one would be about Pierre Elliot Trudeau. A pretty major part in Canadian history

[@MegaGlupe]

Thijs Barten major bad part of our history

[@Martingigs1997]

@@MegaGlupe well, if it wasn't for P.E Trudeau, you can be damn sure Québec wouldn't be part of Canada no mo'.

[@user-mg7lt1hj6x]

Martin Giguère that ain’t a win though.

[@Martingigs1997]

@@user-mg7lt1hj6x it's a win for people who want to keep Canada a country with Quebec being part of it. As a sovreignist, I can only but vilify the man, but if you're a federalist, you better give the guy a certain level of respect

[@Herb615]

Easily the best Prime Minister in modern Canadian history.

[@paulastalas8691]

I am from Romania and before I started watching your channel i didn't knew all that much about Canada. I find your videos quite interesting and informative and I enjoy watching them. Keep up the good work!

[@caesarmarcusaureliusantoni5583]

Wow same👌🏻

[@hammadsheikh6059]

You should do Pierre Trudeau after you finish Borden/MacDonald and Stephen Harper in this amazing style

[@bigmoneylost]

Hammad Sheikh oh god no don’t let him make a video about how « les mesures guerres » was a good thing.

[@Cherauneaux]

Please make one about Pierre Elliott Trudeau. Growing up as a student in Toronto, I would only hear my teachers praise the man. The older I get, the more I have come to realize that he is a much more polarizing figure.

[@DolphusRaymond]

My dad feels the same. When he met Pierre in Guelph as a little kid his whole family was in praise. But now that he's learned more about him recently he's really questioning his stances and motives.

[@SuperKing604]

yeah definitely a controversial PM, too many people simply love him or hate him, some nuance is nice.

[@ClawedAsh]

Man, I'm the exact opposite, I grew up in rural Alberta, so I heard about him in an infinitely negative light, only learning about the good parts of his legacy when I got older

[@bit5729]

@@ClawedAsh I feel bad for you

[@rbzbsb]

Another video on Canadian history, another hit! Keep them coming!

[@anglobostonian]

As an American who is very interested in events in the UK and Canada, I thank you for making these great Canadian videos. I would love to see a video on either Louis St Laurent (as a continuation of this video), Canada's second Francophone Prime Minister, or on John Diefenbaker, Western Canada's first Prime Minister.

[@pho95btfd]

Hey I really love your videos but another (I would say bigger) reason Quebec was opposed to conscription was that for the most part they would be under the command of all anglophone officers. This was the flashpoint but there's a history of raw ethnic tension because of the conscription crisis of 1917, Quebec had huge social and economic issues, and Maurice Duplessis was whipping up Quebecois nationalism. I know you're not a Quebec lover but I don't think their kinship with fascism was a primary motivator in that instance.

[@mattkeeler7385]

JJ I am canadian, born but not raised. Raised in USA so I know much much more about their history than my own countries. these videos really help me learn about my countries history thanks so much. and btw I am back in Canada now.

[@capitol7760]

Really enjoy learning about Canadian History. Haven’t been taught much about its contemporary history in my History lessons in the U.K. I think Canada in WWII would be awesome!!

[@HiItsJoshuaa]

You forgot Trudeau Sr. You may dislike him but he fundamentally changed Canada.

[@nikitagloukhovtchenko6857]

I like Trudeau sr. He did great things for our country.

[@daerdevvyl4314]

J When he said that there are generally four Prime Ministers who are considered important, I paused the video to try to guess who they were. I was pretty certain that he was going to say Macdonald, Laurier, King and P. Trudeau. I was pretty surprised that Borden was elevated above Trudeau. And I say that as somebody who intensely dislikes the Liberal party, so if I was biased it would be toward all the Conservatives instead of Liberals.

[@BVSchaefer]

As a middle-aged American who was educated in the US back when education mattered, I would consider myself well-versed in both American & European histories and pretty competent with the history of Spain and the South American nations as a result of being taught Spanish as a child (again, back when education matter). I've only recently bumped into your videos and I find your historical stories about Canadian history and its interrelationship with Europe and the United States to be informative, educational and entertaining. It's only recently that I have come to realize how little Canadian history is taught in the US. I don't necessarily have a suggestion or recommendation, but keep up the good work. You have a good personality and presence for video and a comedic sense of timing that helps keep the attention of your audience. Well done.

[@ryandowning2956]

BVSchaefer our current education matters

[@jackbacker7238]

You actually make history really interesting. I don’t know how you only have 80k subs. Great video!

[@JJMcCullough]

Jack Backer Thank you! What makes these videos interesting to you?

[@matteovillella1482]

I agree

[@jackbacker7238]

You explain everything very well.

[@Joseph-li3df]

I've been absolutely loving this prime minister series, J.J. Keep it up!

[@harsarligan6665]

i learned more about Canada thanks to your channel!

[@matthewbro4732]

Thanks for helping me prepare for my citizenship test!

[@msbmeseb]

i didn't know anything about the history of canada til' i found your channel thanks for being "History J.J."

[@Lovelandmonkey]

Hi J.J.! As a Canadian citizen who’s lived most of his life in America, your videos really help me get an understanding of my homelands history in a fun way, and now that expatriates can vote again, I can hopefully cast my ballot more confidently. With that being said, when the election season comes around, is it possible you could do a video rundown on who the candidates are and what their positions are? Thanks!

[@joezegers]

13:39 He just fit right in Left: King Center: Franklin Delano Roosevelt (President of the United States) Right: Winston Churchill (Prime Minister of the UK)

[@linkspeaks]

Diefenbaker would be fascinating to learn about, or Pearson

[@aussiemusiccharts]

You should do Menzies (longest serving Australian PM) or (a bit of a stretch) Lyons (only Tasmanian to be Australian PM) 🇦🇺

[@ddoyle11]

I see from the other comments that I am not alone in my ignorance of Canadian history from my schooling here in the states. Excellent video!

[@markmh835]

Americans are so ignorant about so many things. But our lack of knowledge about Canada -- our neighbor, closest ally and largest trading partner -- is shameful.

[@johnnyjakesman8305]

Thouroghltimtwresting as usual. Great video JJ. Have to say you have opened my eyes about Canadian history 🇨🇦🇬🇧🇨🇦

[@learningagain4094]

@jake jones It's the canzuk flag and technically four flags.

[@WongFeiHung659]

This is good news. I proposed Mackenzie King and you did it after. I really think we could be friend.

[@gimlet7]

This is becoming a weekly tradition. Good morning JJ.

[@Jacob-gu3in]

I would love you to do a video on Canada in WWII. I know so much already but I'm sure you're better at digging things up and presenting them.

[@gameinformer4045]

Sometimes when I watch one of your videos I go to your Canada guide website to follow-up on the subject of the video

[@JJMcCullough]

Thank you! Here's a link for anyone interested: www.thecanadaguide.com/

[@gameinformer4045]

@@JJMcCullough I have it on my start page 👍

[@luke2588]

Great video! I think there's a lot of misunderstanding in Canada, Australia and New Zealand about our independence and how recent it actually is - Canada in 1931 (the Statute of Westminster immediately in force), Australia in 1942 (upon adoption of the Statute of Westminster by the Australian Parliament, backdated to the start of WWII in 1939) and New Zealand in 1947 (upon adoption of the Statute of Westminster by the New Zealand Parliament). More interesting videos like these please! From Australia.

[@ms-vq1os]

Great video! The whole process of Canada getting her (his?) independence from the UK was completely new to me. However, please make a video about the Québec Maple Syrup Mafia/Cartel in the near future. You have to tell us about it! 😄

[@Michael-di7bg]

Wait was there an actual maple syrup mafia in Quebec?

[@JollyOldCanuck]

@@Michael-di7bg The maple syrup cartel still exists. Just try starting a maple farm in Quebec.

[@ms-vq1os]

@André Lussier Les morons? Alors, ce n'est pas très amical 😂

[@johnkilmartin5101]

As always another great video. The only thing I might have added was the Chanak Crisis of 1922 which is the first time Canada sent a firm no to following Imperial policy. If I were teaching social studies I would make watching the videos in this series homework.

[@denizbeytekin9853]

Yes, he should have mentioned it right away

[@lauramay4119]

Amazing video, as always! I love learning about Canada's PM, but Canada's involvement in any kind of historical events (e.g. WWII, Cold War, why Canada still has friendly ties to Cuba when it was on the Western Block...) would be an even greater series! Looking forward to my next JJ dose

[@wildmanhistory2738]

You should have mentioned the war scare "The Chanak Crisis" of 1922, where King denied the British Prime Minister Lloyd George soldiers to fight Turkey for Greek interests. It was one of the first examples of Canada saying "no" to British Imperial policy

[@nhprman]

JJ, thank you so much for this video I knew very little about prime minister King, since I'm from "South of the Border." A hugely influential guy. No wonder he's on your $50 bill!

[@whereisamine]

Canada's role in WWII GREAT idea for a video!

[@shirtless6934]

JJ, great video about Prime Minister King. Regarding the King-Byng affair: When Lord Byng refused King’s request for a dissolution, King thought Byng should obtain advice from London (see King’s Diary, June 27, 1926). Byng refused, saying it was a Canadian affair. During the ensuing General Election, though, King hypocritically maintained that it was a question of asserting Canadian independence from British control. In reality, King merely disapproved of Byng’s exercise of his reserve powers.

[@nothingsavailable7721]

I think Pierre Elliott Trudeau should be considered one of the most important prime ministers. But he is more controversial than the other ones

[@crackpotofantioch4636]

anyone else find the fact that the guy named king ruled for such a long time?

[@daerdevvyl4314]

Bohemond I of Antioch At one point during King’s time, the mayor of Winnipeg was named Queen. When the King and Queen visited, there was a public appearance by the King and Queen and Mr. King and Mr. Queen.

[@krsna_gwda]

@@daerdevvyl4314 brah

[@memelord5366]

New JJ Video *Clicks as quickly as possible*

[@davidfreeman3083]

So L.B.Person is not considered that important? He also sort of created a unique national identity by introducing a new, formal national flag, which is now basically one of the most known symbol of Canada.

[@alexandremedeiros817]

Hey JJ! If you're interested in making more videos about PMs, I think you should make a video about Canada's first PM, Sir John A. Macdonald. He's being one of the most discussed PMs nowadays

[@PatJC123]

Love your videos so much! Always something to look forward to on a Saturday!

[@JJMcCullough]

And I love you!

[@antoinegirard9838]

14:19 There was not « a lot of fascists in Quebec », well at least not compared to any country in the world proportionally. We had a “regular” amount of fascists. The thing was that French Canadians did not feel like a British people like the rest of Canada and had nothing in common with anything with the war. We were a poor farmers people and we just wanted calm... We were hobbits 😂! The Canadian government felt that and established a lot of pro-war propaganda to “Liberate France” and to “Liberate the Motherland”. Only then, French Canadians started to enlist... Sometimes in a obligatory way (conscription).

[@Gatinois]

@Bill Cargill I don't want to die for someone else, especially to defend an idea or an ideology. We're not talking about joining the army as a job here, but conscription. It's also different when your family or country is directly under attack and not a foreign country somewhere oversea.

[@AfroAsiaticLanguages]

He just has a problem with Québec.

[@ivorholtskog5506]

Is that why you married off your daughters to escaped German pows?

[@ivorholtskog5506]

It documented that the Quebec farmers shot at Canadian war ships hunting German u boats in the st. Lawerance river.

[@yuplatdilalo6929]

@@ivorholtskog5506 Documented where. I'm certainly not seeing anything searching for it. They may also have thought it was German boats or just hated Canada.

[@s.tagerius2514]

Great video! Very interesting and informative. My only issue would be that you used the incorrect flag for the UK a few times.

[@ben-hb6yf]

Keep it up JJ! You are my absolute favourite youtuber and journalist. I definitely would suggest a video about Stephen Harper! Knowing your political views, I expect you to have amazing things to say about him.

[@JJMcCullough]

I think I could be fair. He was obviously controversial and had a lot of critics.

[@Trashplat]

This was insanely interesting.

[@iqbalbhayangkara3816]

CONTINUE WORLD LEADER SERIES PLEASE!! BUT KEEP MAKING CANADIAN CONTENTS TOO HAHAHA Love your videos!!!

[@maddoxbellrose7679]

Ok.. Sicko

[@iqbalbhayangkara3816]

@@maddoxbellrose7679 how am I a sicko?

[@maddoxbellrose7679]

@@iqbalbhayangkara3816 Whoops meant to spell psycho. Sorry I was spelling by making sounds in my head instead of using my memories

[@robinsanders5541]

Thank you Canada for your sacrifice during all the wars you helped us with. So wonderful to see your kids grow up so healthy and strong... sorry for all the silliness we put you through.

[@MrGrizzly487]

As someone related to MK, the family doesn't like to talk about him much because of his..... bizarre tendencies. I'll have to double check with my grandmother on how I'm connected, I believe it's like great great great great great great uncle or something like. Regardless, excellent work on this video as usual JJ. While you say at the start that he's seen as an important PM in our history, I rarely hear his name mentioned. In high school we only focused on Macdonald, Laurier and Bennett, I never really hear him mentioned elsewhere though, the National Post put out an article recently on him and how he shouldn't be forgotten which was interesting to read. If I could vote on who to do a video on for a PM of Canada it'd be nice to learn more about Sir Robert Borden, I've read some stuff and it seems like he would be agreed upon as one of the most beloved PMs if it weren't for the war and what he planned on doing for Canada before WWI broke out, the crackdown on strikes against conscription and other issues, the Treaty of Versailles, giving women the right to vote, pushing for a single united Canadian Army and even pushing, to no success mind you, for Canada to take control over British territories in the West Indies and Belize, something that could've really changed history for the 20th century and not just for Canada. Keep up the great content!

[@DanWindibank]

Love this channel so much, always excited to see videos in my sub feed, keep up the good work and God bless! Much love from Britain

[@UKatheist1]

You keep using the pre-1800 Act of Union UK flag which omits St Patrick's Saltire. It's not been the UK's flag for more than 200 years....

[@UKatheist1]

@@Ratchet4647 Ahhhh fair enough

[@t.b.g.504]

Tell that to some Quebec news outlets!

[@j.s.7335]

I find it very interesting that many countries had foreign relations with Canada, effectively recognizing them as an independent country, even while they were still part of the UK.

[@ziyad5026]

Moroccans watching Canadian.

[@puya5240]

Your channel has quickly become my new favourite! Would you ever be interested in making a video about modern day immigration in Canada? Also, how do you know so much stuff? What are some of your favourite books or KZbin channels? Thanks!

[@sjorsaartsen6227]

Hi JJ. Came across your videos a few days ago, loving all of them! I’m a big fan of Ignatieff (for his Human Rights work) and recently read his book ‘fire and ashes’ about his rapid rise and spectacular fall in Canadian politics. Perhaps a good topic? I’m sure you’ve got enough content lined up though. Much love from Holland! (Spreek je trouwens een beetje Nederlands?)

[@keeganmoonshine7183]

thanks for the book suggestion.

[@cjm8160]

The grandfather of William Lyon MacKenzie King was the leader of the rebellion in "Upper Canada" (the predecessor of today's province of Ontario) in 1837. After the rebellion was defeated by the British, he went into exile in New York State USA. Rather ironic that his grandson became the longest serving Canadian Prime Minister

[@user-ex7vb3bk2o]

That's very interesting thanks for sharing.

[@lorenzomabalos9851]

It was also interesting to know that Britain formerly occupied the Philippines but they never made it a colony.

[@vasilymelnikov7346]

I really like these videos about Candian prime ministers. I'm an Albertan from grade 6, Windsor Park School, could you please do one about the Alberta provincial election?

[@vasilymelnikov7346]

JJ just liked me!

[@no_2189]

I always go to J.J for Canadian history (I live in America haha)

[@flipefumonacci1732]

I came to live in Canada 3 years ago(from Brazil), I am in Toronto and was amazed to see huge Chinese communities, and have being told is even bigger in Vancouver. It maybe deserve a episode about China and Canada relations in the past century or something like that.

[@Groggle7141]

14:38 Emperor Hirohito of Japan was also in power before and after the war.

[@ballislife6034]

This was a very entertaining video about the past of Canadian History and Mackenzie King! Thanks for making this video

[@kirbertmott]

love your videos keep up the good work

[@toguskyre]

I live in Australia and find the drawing of parallels between Canadian political history and Australian political history to be very fascinating. Our PM during roughly this same time period (Robert Menzies) also has a legacy of being around for a very long time. Though unlike Mackenzie King, he was extremely pro-Britain, so much so that he thought of Australians as British subjects first and foremost. Reason I mention him is that he also weirdly tried appeasing the Nazis as well. But also had no hesitation declaring war on them the moment Britain declared war on them.

[@JJMcCullough]

When I was reading about some of the negotiations in the imperial summits, the Canadian historians always portray the Australians as being very obstinate and unhelpful.

[@toguskyre]

J.J. McCullough that honestly does not surprise me in the slightest. Fun side note: Australia was so scared of ratifying the Statute of Westminster that they didn't do so until 1942. 11 years after it came into effect in Canada.

[@JT_1]

Though unlike Mackenzie King, he was extremely pro-Britain, so much so that he thought of Australians as British *criminals* first and foremost. fixed it :)

[@NoirL.A.]

i've said it once and i'll say it again i'm not canadian but i am so accustomed to english speaking canadians describing their country as paradise on earth with an enormous emphasis on its superiority to the states in every possible manner i find these vids not only informative but a welcome change of pace. every country has its issues but i can honestly say my belief that my government is better than say, el salvador or ghana has never in any way shaped my view of anything.

[@StevenVillman]

...so Canada basically *_gradually_* gained full independence (over several decades) from Britain (the U.K.), while the U.S. gained full independence quite suddenly (over the course of several years) from Britain (the U.K.). Therefore, I wonder on how quickly Australia and New Zealand gained full independence from Britain (the U.K.)...?

[@piusx8317]

I still don't understand how countries like Canada and Australia can call yourselves an independent power when you're head (Mrs Windsor) lives in the UK. Full indepence means not alligiance to any other country but your own.

[@rajkaranvirk7525]

@@piusx8317 Many people in Canada don’t really care about the monarchy, or some actively want to get rid of it. On the other side some want really like it. For the most part Canadians are apathetic to the monarchy

[@gabe.718]

im gonna go meet a Canadian 50 dollar bill!!

[@vexingvexillologist7554]

These Canadian history/politics videos are tremendous! And I'd love to see a video on Brian Mulroney, and how he and Thatcher/Reagan interacted

[@oddixgames6704]

that buttery-smooth transition into sponsor ad.. )) another great video from you! love it!

[@tylerkingston8836]

Hey JJ! Great video, I'm wondering if you plan on doing a video on Pierre Teudeau. In high school I was taught he was EXTREMELY important for his work on the constitution

[@JJMcCullough]

Tyler Kingston he was important on so many things!

[@chrisnation1432]

Two questions for you. Why, as a "conservative," are you so hostile to the fount upon which 90% of Canadian political traditions flow? Namely, the UK and British Empire. Two, why do you insist on using the historically inaccurate Union flag without the Cross of St. Patrick? Thanks in advance.

[@JJMcCullough]

I'm just telling the history of Canada.

[@chrisnation1432]

@@JJMcCullough Yes, but always incredibly snarkily as it relates to the fact that Canada is a product of the British Empire, its institutions are British in origin, and for most of its history Canadian patriotism didn't seek to shirk that fact and instead embraced its fundamental Britishness. Either way, have a good day and I'll keep watching you. Snarky comments and all.

[@rajkaranvirk7525]

@@chrisnation1432 It’s not something to be proud of, being subordinate to another nation, maybe Canadians nationalism evolves. Canada is not the same it was back in 1910

[@ktothej1]

Although not a popular Prime Minister, it'd be interested if you did a video on R.B. Bennett and the Great Depression in Canada! Love your videos, keep it up.

[@itszilo7436]

I love how fun the Canadian accents are. Fellow Americans listen closely to when he says “about”.

[@MannyUnicorn]

Most of this was pretty accurate, except for the one bit about Quebec not being interested in World War II because a lot of them were fascists. This isn't true. Sure, there were fascist and Nazi groups all around Canada at the time but all of these groups made up incredibly small portions of the population. The reason Quebec didn't feel interested in the war was that they had no particular allegiance to Europe unlike English Speaking Canada who had a strong connection to Britain, French-speaking Canada had no real ties with France left. I have no idea where you pulled this "Quebec was fascist thing" from, but it's quite wrong.

[@JJMcCullough]

Dan Squid This is a very well documented phenomenon. Many French Canadians sympathized with Mussolini on the basis of Catholic solidarity and saw the extreme nationalism of fascism as something in sync with the French Canadian culture of that time. Many also had instinctive sympathy for anyone resisting British power. Pro fascist sympathies were widespread in Quebec and even held by many important figures. The government of Canada considered it a significant national security liability. That’s not to say everyone in Quebec was disloyal to the war effort - Quebec’s Liberal premier of the time was a great patriot - but it’s just flatly false to suggest this was not one of the dominant stories of Canada’s war years.

[@MannyUnicorn]

@@JJMcCullough Would you mind providing a source? Just because, I haven't heard anything about this.

[@nitrame]

I was about to make the same comment. I can't imagine the support of Mussolini/fascism being a determinant factor since Quebecers were also opposed to the draft during WW1 when fascism hadn't fully emerged yet. I think the feeling of attachment to old Europe was the key factor as well. However, there was certainly antisemitism at that time which contributed to Quebecers being against the draft, but that was not unique to Quebec as this video clearly presents it.

[@Xerxes2005]

@@JJMcCullough What about the swastika clubs in Ontario and the rest of Canada? What about the Canadian Union of Fascists based in the Prairies? The National Unity Party of Canada, that united all of these groups, may have been lead by Adrien Arcand, there was a lot of English Canadians in there. They were just as much a security liability. You are right that there was some sympathy towards Mussolini in Quebec, but it was because of the Treaty of Lateran in 1929, which created the Vatican State, not because of some agreement with his politics. No. French Canadians were isolationists, just like the Americans. They just didn't give a crap about what was happening in Europe, and even less in the United Kingdom. There was also this crisis about conscription during World War I, which ended by the deaths of four Quebec City citizens, which is a whole story all by itself. Suffice to say that we were not very happy about it and didn't want any conscription in WWII. During Quebec's legislative elections in 1939, Mackenzie King and preheminent ministers from Quebec, like Ernest Lapointe, promised that there would be no conscription to ensure the election of the liberal Adélard Godbout as Premier of Quebec, even going as far as promising to resign if there was conscription. They lied of course. After a referendum in which Quebec massively voted No and the RoC massively voted Yes, King was freed by the RoC of a promise he made to Quebec. And you people wonder why we can be grumpy and less than enthusiastic about the federation...

[@dansyw]

J.J. McCullough that is literally not true lmao damn youre obsessed with us, stop trying to insult us. Quebecers refused to enroll because we didnt give a flying fuck about great britain since, let me remind you, they fucking invaded our land ?

[@HistoryNerd808]

21 years? FDR only got elected to 4 terms down here(he didn't finish the last one due to his death; he was in office from 1933-1945) and we put term limits on the president after that. Wonder why Canada didn't put on term limits after someone served as chief executive for that long? Especially, since from the limited amount I know, the PM up there seems to be far more powerful then the president is here.

[@romainsavioz5466]

One in Switzerland was for 31 years

[@HistoryNerd808]

@@romainsavioz5466 I was just wondering why term limits weren't enacted like they were here in the US

[@Cossackize]

@@HistoryNerd808 Why have term limits we have elections and a governmental system that can trigger an election anytime the public has lost faith in the government so there are natural barriers preventing someone from exerting too much power why impose term limits?

[@HistoryNerd808]

@@Cossackize That's fair. I disagree with it, we have natural barriers here too like a very rigid system of separation of powers but your argument makes sense. Structure is inevitably destiny

[@romainsavioz5466]

@@HistoryNerd808 well it was a long time ago and usually now it's more 2 or terms max

[@MRdaBakkle]

It's been so fun learning about our neighbor to the North. Hi JJ from Minnesota.

[@user-ex7vb3bk2o]

Do Minnesotians say pop or soda?

[@MRdaBakkle]

@@user-ex7vb3bk2o usually pop. I will sometimes say soda pop or just fountain drink.

[@cameronryan9709]

My great grandfather was his secretary

[@elijahmikhail4566]

Am I crazy, or did JJ really keep using a union flag without St Patrick's cross? Did I miss a memo that Northern Ireland is no longer part of the U.K.?

[@pc-w8844]

Elijah Mikhail He seems to be using the pre 1801 flag which is at odds with the timeline of this video.

[@SinnedNogara]

Inside joke

[@elijahmikhail4566]

SinnedNogara Ohh. Do you remember in which video this inside joke started?

[@t.b.g.504]

Some news outlets in Quebec use the pre-1801 flag, out of 'Sympathy' for N.I.

[@Jabberwockybird]

Erin go bragh! (I don't know how to spell it)

[@ravenlord4]

While Quebec refused to fight, at least they didn't outright surrender to the Nazis, unlike some other French speaking territories . . .

[@JollyOldCanuck]

Apparently in France, Quebecers are not considered frenchmen in North America but rather North Americans who speak French.

[@coledavlan1711]

JollyOldCanuck shhhh don’t let any Québécois know this fact. It would rock their entire world.

[@dansyw]

Cole Davlan dude, we dont consider ourselves french ? Like... were a different nation who happens to speak French lmao

[@lajya01]

@@JollyOldCanuck I know a lot of French immigrants and I can confirm we have nothing in common with them beside language (and still!) They're really surprised of how British things are in Qc (the not-so metric system, the food, the way of thinking, the casual customs, etc...)

[@JollyOldCanuck]

@@lajya01 I guess it's to be expected since the French left in the 1700s. Quebec is always confusing to try and figure out, I love the place, it's my favourite province to visit, but the seperatists kinda turns the beauty of the province sour.

[@Mulambdaline1]

Thank you for making Canadian history and politics fun and interesting. As an American, we never learn anything about Canada. The most I know if from watching the Simpsons. 😂

[@7njap]

Jj, would love a video on your favorite books on Canadian history!

[@TKinfinity01]

I just love it when he shits on Quebec.

[@Gabriel-yo5wj]

Racist

[@TKinfinity01]

Gabriel No, it’s not

[@markmh835]

@Insert Name Here -- Oh do explain what that is all about! Why would a provincial parliament take any notice of a YT vlogger?

[@1313stjimmy]

honestly it's b/c Quebec likes to think of itself as this ultraprogressive place that is Canada's moral compass. They don't like being reminded that there is an awful lot of corruption in their governments and that a lot of Quebecers, especially the "old stock" ones are pretty racist and fascistic as JJ pointed out briefly in the video. Naturally, QB get defensive when this is pointed out. Just my two cents

[@Xerxes2005]

@Insert Name Here Oh, he's that mother*! That thing was a pile of garbage.

[@Cyan.l0g]

Pierre Trudeau would still be significant. Significant whether you liked him and signifcant whether you hated him. #disclaimer

[@Jabberstax]

It is truly impressive how many historical inaccuracies he can fit into one video.

[@HarkunwarSinghKochar]

I just love your videos. Can't miss a single one of them!

[@TheMainGuyYT]

hey JJ you should make a Canadain foods part 2 and add in peanut butter and ginger ale cuz those are pretty important dont you think

[@The_Invisible_Hand]

WRT the King-Byng Thing, you should mention that Meighen and the Conservatives actually *won* the 1925 election (115-100). So it really wasn't unreasonable for Byng to give Meighen a shot at forming a government after King's fell apart due to a scandal.

[@JJMcCullough]

The Invisible Hand Considering Meighen lasted three days, I think it’s clear he did not have the “confidence of the House.”

[@The_Invisible_Hand]

True, but that was something that Parliament needed to decide itself, not King or Byng. It is also my understanding that King had promised Byng, in the event his gov't was brought down, not to request a new election until Meighen had a chance to form a government, since the latter had actually won the election. (I also suspect that King's drumming up of outrage against Byng's decision may have been a factor in the Progressives bringing down Meighen's government.)

[@gameinformer4045]

The fact that a lot of people thinks Canadian history is boring makes it even more interesting.

[@JT_1]

has even less history than the good ol' USofA ;)

[@gameinformer4045]

@@JT_1 and?

[@gameinformer4045]

@@JT_1 Canada has long and rich history.

[@JT_1]

@@gameinformer4045 there is no "and" I was just making a comment but if you think ~150 years is long then carry on :)

[@gameinformer4045]

Your comment made it seem as you're trying to lessen the significance of Canada's history

[@devletbahcelino1fan463]

I absolutely adore your videos, especially your ones about Canadian history. I assume you’ll make videos about all 4 of the Prime Ministers you talked about in this video eventually. I would love it if you could make one about Lester Pearson after you’re done with them.

[@liamtahaney713]

I've used that Canadian website and never knew that was you!

[@Danielnikoula]

Keep up the quality videos J.J.! It is clear you do your research and the amusing visual and sound elements are a nice touch as well!

[@lorenzomabalos9851]

I am glad I am able to read about new Canadian History topic every week. I feel like our History teacher is delaying much more in Confederation

[@javierortiz70]

Great video as always, JJ. Concise, yet very informative. In the future, would you consider doing a video about the United Empire Loyalists and their role in early Canadian history?