How The US Took Over The World

[@SecondThought]

Hey friends, I need to make a humble request. As you probably know, it's not easy to monetize socialist content. Here on KZbin, you’ve got pretty much two options for making a channel sustainable - AdSense and sponsorships. We don’t take sponsorships here, so we’ve mostly had to rely on ad revenue. For whatever reason (and I don’t want to assume it’s nefarious but my partner manager is also confused) AdSense revenue has dropped to a quarter of what it was this time last year. We have a small team, we’re not Vox or Vice or Johnny Harris, which means we’re able to operate on a fairly modest budget, but I also need to make sure everyone is paid fairly for their hard work on the channel. As of right now, with AdSense circling the drain for no discernible reason, I’m having a hard time doing that. We’re pretty much entirely reliant on Patreon and direct donations through super-thanks these days. If you appreciate the work we’re doing here and you’re in a position to help, please consider supporting us on Patreon. Every patron, regardless of pledge amount, gets early access to every video, plus access to our patrons-only Discord. We’ve got everything from a book club, to educators ready to answer questions, to live Q&As with me every month or so. I hope you enjoy the episode, we're really proud of this one ❤ patreon.com/secondthought

[@dntmesswithmeow]

as soon as i can ill definitely sub to patreon! love your work 💖

[@silverknight1966]

A book club?

[@AndrewCalhoun-c7i]

Capitalist dog pandering for dirty us dollars

[@IrishRepoMan]

@@SecondThought Is it you specifically or AdSense in general paying out less? Because I'm fairly certain I've started getting youtube ads way more often recently. It's annoying af.

[@DissidentB]

Is Patreon better than giving superthanks on youtube? Does youtube take a portion of it or something or is Patreon just better because it comes with perks and youtube doesn't?

[@ScarlettFire341]

"When exposing a crime is treated as committing a crime, you are being ruled by criminals." ~ Edward Snowden

[@nothanks9503]

Whoa whoa whoa you’re implicating some powerful people there better cool your jets

[@nubius]

@@nothanks9503 not at all....

[@The10thDimensions]

"antifascist are the real fascists"

[@Dreamer66617]

bro edwaqrd is a cucjk

[@prfwrx2497]

Snowden is a russian plant. Yuri Bezmenov warned y'all about this. Demoralization. Katsaps will make you surrender to their misantrophic empire before the first shot is fired.

[@LocoNico3169]

America in a nutshell; FREEDOM* *(terms and conditions apply)

[@alexmiller8644]

😂😂😂

[@07Flash11MRC]

Freedom for whom? certainly not the working class, and that sums it up pretty much.

[@jeremyprovence4942]

* only applies to those who have a net worth of six million dollars or more. Must be active in suppressing the will of the masses.

[@heidirabenau511]

Corporate Billionaires ​@@07Flash11MRC

[@toronaldaris]

*(terms and conditions WILL apply)

[@rebellerevelle]

I try to donate whatever I can whenever I can to content creators who are making important videos for the public. I don't watch tv shows or go to the movies, but I love watching informative documentaries and educational videos like these on KZbin. Thank you!

[@cadicamo8720]

Long live imperial putinism!!

[@MukeshYadav-q7q]

Bases is not colonisation

[@Zeman877]

@@MukeshYadav-q7qit is

[@giselle_kvm]

​@@MukeshYadav-q7q It is when thise bases are used as a way to coerce nations to do your biding unless they want to face the wrath of your military

[@A.Z.S.GXZ777]

💜💜💜💜

[@hammer.12gh]

America is like the Titanic. Too big to turn, too slow to react, in denial about sinking, and there aren't enough life boats for everyone.

[@ivoryquillum4436]

And people say I am crazy for believing that we in the days of the end of an empire.

[@serryx1944]

Amazing analogy.

[@justinratcliffe947]

EXACTLY!! I've been saying that many years now

[@Six-bw3ir]

Honestly wouldn't mind, this country was founded on my people suffering so 🤷‍♂️🤷‍♂️

[@hamzamahmood9565]

​@@ivoryquillum4436 This type of doomerism is getting old. People have been fantasizing about the "end of America" for a generation now

[@RyanHallVicePresidentOfAwesome]

The use of analog maps in this was a fantastic choice. Absolutely loved it. It felt much more visceral than a digital map would.

[@valerieclemente2426]

Agreed. Seeing that visual was truly a visceral experience…. I physically cringed and had to put my phone down

[@Halfendymion]

@@valerieclemente2426 Why are you mapist

[@jason59k55]

@@Halfendymion the johnny harris usa bootlicking propaganda ptsd is why.

[@BOSSLYninja]

Saw someone complaining about “illegal Puerto Rican immigrants” in the US online the other day… made me do a double take

[@uresfffff222]

Puerto Ricans are Americans no ?

[@RaptorOfTheWest]

​​@@uresfffff222 They are. Imperial citizens aren't known for their intelligence.

[@johnwagner7154]

@@RaptorOfTheWestwhat makes me laugh the most is when they say immigrants are taking their jobs lmfao😂 last I knew the places that have the most immigrants are the ones white people don’t want to do yet we’re taking their jobs. Or when highly skilled Indians who went to college and paid alot of money get hate from white people who didn’t even try going to college.

[@leonlee8524]

The fact we are still surprised by this behavior and still reactive and susceptible to it shows whatever modern propaganda we're surrounded by is working.

[@noisepuppet]

Next thing you know, they'll be pouring into America from New Mexico

[@Maximilian1312]

And they dare to complain about immigrants

[@porkrollontoast8870]

its illegal immigrants nobody cares about people who waited their turn and did the right things to come and become an american everyone tired of the borders being open letting anyone inside you can see the toll it takes to us cities on top of it theres people who have applied and been waiting for citizenship doing everything legally getting screwed while illegals get government benefits and housing its crazy

[@timgerk3262]

Not looking for sympathy here, but consider that the same interests that have conquered the world have even greater freedom (to exploit) within the borders. Empires are not for the common people, they are for the financial and policy leadership.

[@Ginonth]

I mean, it works, so why not? As long as the workers are busy with punching down, they can't look up to their government.

[@buzzkillington7872]

​@@timgerk3262 labour aristocracy ass

[@ericlanglaismm]

I mean, the right is mostly lies and projections.

[@eduardorodriguezbaldas5532]

It is easier to imagine the end of the world instead of the end of capitalism.

[@ewanscott5331]

It was probably easier to imagine the end of the world than the end of feudalism back in the age of kings

[@真夜中の橋]

@@ewanscott5331 And I can, that’s why I will. With my comrades of course.

[@eduardorodriguezbaldas5532]

Did it end though ?

[@davet80000]

the system goes, not the people.. its not that hard to imagine everyone living better

[@SvalbardSleeperDistrict]

@@cmfgates What is the basis of that claim?

[@WONGKHAIHONGMoe]

The USA would rather increase profits by 0.00065% than save all the homeless and other less fortunate people in it's own borders, remember that.

[@RXJis300]

homeless people are stinky i dont want to be near them

[@mamotalemankoe3775]

I find this the most bizzare thing about most Americans. When you tell them how evil their government is and how they cause global suffering on a scale yet seen in human history, they act all patriotic* and defend their bastard nation. Yet they have no issue listing all the ways their own government abuses them daily(for example annual police killings per capita in the USA). If the US treats it's OWN citizens like dogwater, why is it so hard to believe they do much much MUCH worse to people 1000s of kilometers away?

[@Kamil-t2s]

Name a superpower that wouldn’t.. I’ll wait. Russia, China, India are all do the same. I’m sure the Roman Empire and Byzantine empire was the exact same.

[@kyleolson9636]

0.00065% of annual US corporate profits is $22 million. That is about $40 per homeless person in the US. I get your point, but you're way off on how much it would cost to fix homelessness. It would probably take closer to 0.1-0.5% of corporate profits to meaningfully fix homelessness in the US. Still not much, but many orders of magnitude more than you suggest.

[@Kamil-t2s]

@@kyleolson9636 right but homelessness in itself isn’t just a housing issue, a good chunk of those people are probably addicted to some sort of drug

[@Steinn1998]

“The majority of Cubans support Castro… the only foreseeable way to reduce his internal support is through disenchantment and dissatisfaction arising from economic unrest and material difficulties… all possible means must be quickly used to weaken the economic life of Cuba …a line of action that, being as skillful and discreet as possible, achieves the greatest advances in depriving Cuba of money and supplies, to reduce its financial resources and real wages, provoke hunger, despair and the overthrow of the Government.” Memorandum from the Deputy Assistant Secretary of State for Inter-American Affairs (Mallory) to the Assistant Secretary of State for Inter-American Affairs (Rubottom) Washington, April 6, 1960.

[@kimadams8757]

It hasnt worked though. There are fewer cubans going hungry than usa citizens per capita. They are also more literate, healthier, live longer, and have lower maternal and child mortality. Imagine what couldve been achieved without the embargo

[@burgerforcongress1001]

​@@kimadams8757 They also have developed cures for certain cancers that the 🇺🇸 government won't allow you to get. Education to become a doctor is FREE there, even for non-citizens.

[@dthomas9230]

@@burgerforcongress1001 They sent Doctors to Venezuela in exchange for oil after Venezuela kept an oil drilling lease that Total of France agreed to not renew in exchange for NATO overthrowing Ghaddafi as his meddling in Africa became troublesome. Putin told Chavez to not sign that lease to Exxon but Koch bros had built a heavy crude refinery in TX expecting the Total rig lease. So Venezuela is embargoed like Cuba. Bolivia traded with Cuba, too, and suffered. Columbia wanted 50% of the Canal revenue that was coming through their country. Panama was created in exchange for taking only 10%.

[@whatabouttheearth]

​@burgerforcongress1001 Yeah, they've always had an emphasis on medicine and doctors, they even have images and statues of some Argentina doctor all over the place, they even devised a devious plan to sell tshirts with his picture at 'Hot Topic' stores in the US 😂 those sneaky Cubans 😉

[@whatabouttheearth]

​@@burgerforcongress1001 Yeah, they've always had an emphasis on medicine and doctors, they even have images and statues of some Argentina doctor all over the place, they even devised a devious plan to sell tshirts with his picture at 'Hot Topic' stores in the US 😂 those sneaky Cubans 😉

[@Dynamik777]

1 min ago is crazy. That's also how fast the USA shows up when u find oil

[@NobodyHasToAgreeAllTheTime]

Somebody say oil? Time for liberating

[@TimYenkana]

@@NobodyHasToAgreeAllTheTime This comment is now owned by the USA. All Oil belong to us.

[@Emma-Maze]

Did you say oil? 🔫💥

[@akindatallmidget6508]

🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸

[@heidirabenau511]

Sounds like you need freedom 🇺🇲🇺🇲🇺🇲🇺🇲🇺🇲🇺🇲🇺🇲🦅🦅🦅🦅🦅🦅🦅🦅🦅

[@SlytherinShark888]

I’m simple. I see a video by Second Thought- I watch without giving it a second thought.

[@User-jr7vf]

I'm pretty sure he had uploaded this same video a year ago or so.

[@xavierclayton9990]

🍪🍪 here's your cookie.

[@Planet.Xplor3r]

Same idea, but with a lot more quality and the algorithm supports it more kind of

[@Phuckitall]

Rather defeats the purpose, doesn't it?

[@yaneznayoui1597]

@@xavierclayton9990 I love cookies

[@imjoeim]

Empires still exist, but they're not visible in a map. This also include the islands (and small lands) UK and France are keeping for example.

[@chrislambden1691]

Ever noticed that there's indeed a tiny French territory immediately off the coast of eastern Canada?

[@SLF-o2w]

The Spider’s Web on YT tells how the British Empire evolved from its Navy military power into The City of London financial power where all mining stocks etc are held.

[@imjoeim]

​@@chrislambden1691 i didn't know that, but i was talking about French Guiana. btw i was recently shocked to see how America's Alaska got a tail that gives America more Canadian western beaches and borders than Canada itself, it looks parasitic.

[@Theuglymug]

Many of the territories the u.k. and france still has is based on self determination

[@darktagmaster1861]

@chrislambden1691, look into Saint Pierre and Miquelon. It’s not at all being used militarily. Although, the French navy doesn’t patrol the waters with like, two trawlers.

[@kataruchitraketh]

I am from India. Although it is a small amount i am contributing. I support you for the awesome work.

[@LearTrough]

500 INR is a lot of money!

[@kataruchitraketh]

@@LearTrough Really🙄

[@therealkendallroy]

@@kataruchitraketh Yes, it is -- for a YT contribution, at least.

[@ThomasPalm-w5y]

Swedish here. We just signed up to accept US bases, no real conditions. What could possibly go wrong...

[@nomoimusic3096]

you are scre**d, greetings from already scre**d nation, Spain

[@CommerEntrepro]

You are now a colony of uncle Yankee doodle Sam

[@matteste]

Seriously, they are signing away the countries sovereignty to what is heading towards being the fourth reich.

[@podemosurss8316]

Well, being from Spain, I can tell you: these assholes don't comply with the conditions anyways, so you've saved a lot on ink 😅

[@JK-qi7pp]

The reasoning probably was that for the most part Sweden is already aligned in the current US central world order so it stands little to lose by allowing American boots on the ground and a lot to gain. There is a legitimate threat of getting dragged into a war with Russia and while being part of NATO and having US bases increases the certainty that Sweden would join any potential war it felt the safer option than being the only geographically close European nation to Russia apart from Finland that's not part of NATO. It's a sensible choice for the current time and Sweden on its own is not capable of making meaningful changes to the world order anyway. Unfortunately while increasing security, NATO membership robs Sweden of the role of international mediator which gave it sometimes an outsized global impact.

[@sleepinthemorningcalm]

Slick video. JTS doing Johnny Harris better than Johnny Harris and without money from the World Economic Forum and Klaus Schwab 👌

[@SecondThought]

All thanks to the support of our wonderful viewers ❤️

[@melloncollic]

I thought of the generic Johnny Harris rolls out a bunch of maps trope as well. :D

[@quixomega]

Johnny Harris can make slick videos, but his research is trash. Since he went independent the actual content is questionable at best. These videos on this channel are very well researched.

[@sleepinthemorningcalm]

@@quixomega yeah, I was only calling his production slick. He uses it to cover up his sloppy research and bad takes

[@debdebberton]

i have auch a hair trigger for both of those things being WS dogwhistles and took me a hot minute to realize what you actually meant 😩 whether you believe it's controlled op or not, alex jones and his fashlite ilk really ARE poisoning/spoiling the well against the real dangers of these people/organizations

[@robeagleR]

Thanks

[@BunkerSquirrel]

The timing on this is impeccable. I was just asking myself a couple days ago “how many holdings other than Puerto Rico does the US have?” And it’s genuinely shocking. These look EXACTLY like the vessel states of the Roman and other Empires.

[@Geomappercali]

Great documentary. (I'm glad to support this cause! I've been playing video games on my PC for a while now, and the prices keep increasing due to predatory management of the workers by the capitalist system. I hope this donation will help!)

[@quannernoble4505]

The yum yum moment is one of my favorite villain moments ever.

[@dontaclebourn5679]

It really struck me as interesting that he felt so comfortable saying the quiet parts out loud to a right-wing audience 🤔

[@DefenderOfTheDPRK]

​@dontaclebourn5679 Most of those audiences will also believe it's for protection of democracy.😏

[@dontaclebourn5679]

@@DefenderOfTheDPRK i don't even doubt it

[@Vaeldarg]

@@dontaclebourn5679 You probably should, given their name as a defender of a regime that lies about everything. Why wouldn't he feel comfortable saying it to a right-wing audience? As Fox said in court, nobody who listens to them is a reasonable person. Because "no reasonable person would take what they say seriously", being an "entertainment" network. That's why they can get caught purposefully lying about 2020 election fraud, both believing and knowing it was just lies from a sore loser, and yet only lost audience after rare times when they actually spoke truth.

[@Ryan_hey]

17:17 yumyumyumyummm

[@khadijahbegum3546]

The U.S. built its global empire through a combination of military, economic, and political strategies that mirror older forms of European colonialism. After its own internal colonization and expansion across Indigenous lands in North America, the U.S. extended its influence overseas in places like the Philippines, Puerto Rico, and Guam following the Spanish-American War. Instead of formal colonization, the U.S. has often used economic dominance, political intervention, and military force to assert control over foreign regions. This includes installing favorable governments, intervening in conflicts, or exerting pressure through institutions like the IMF and World Bank. Much like European colonizers, **the U.S. justifies its actions through ideas like "manifest destiny" and the spread of democracy, though the true aim was often maintaining control over resources and strategic territories, leading to a form of neo-colonialism that many nations still experience today** Edit: Other countries include Iraq, Pakistan, Afghanistan, Vietnam and so on.

[@BYD-Gold]

1000%

[@bruhaspati560]

Now replace manifest destiny with manifest Sharia Atleast they spread tech and capitalism and not looting and pillage like islamists 😅

[@Six-bw3ir]

You forgot to mention slavery. Literally the only reason this country exists.

[@hamzamahmood9565]

So basically like every single superpower that has ever existed in human history...but way more successful?

[@skygge1006]

@@khadijahbegum3546how is that not similar to ever super power that has existed? Can you provide one example of a country that was a superpower and dint act in a similar way to expand its influence.

[@kaiserwilhelmii1827]

The production quality is getting crazy 🔥🔥

[@ZenBen_the_Elder]

Keep up the good work, lad.

[@TheSergemeister]

Spending so much on "defense" when we actively hold bases in dozens of countries has always been insane to me

Kick butt, capitalism RULES !

[@Vaeldarg]

Look at what happened to Afghanistan, though. Nobody there now would be saying anymore that it would be better for the U.S to leave. This video leaves out the part how much these areas benefitted from it (especially Europe, to the point of being able to lower their military spending and putting it into their economies instead) and is the product of many hours of diplomacy. They could've said no, and even having that option in the first place was more than what they knew other powers like Russia (and now China) would allow.

[@AStarWarsFan2011]

Why we are just "expanding" our defense to other parts of the world. =]

[@olobby9303]

the us navy uses those bases to protects civilian vessels by offering safe passage through dangerous waters and monitoring maritime traffic by detering piracy, terrorism, and other threats. That's not defense?

[@NoUsername-470]

Yeah we are defending our allies too.

[@tylerblue9691]

Hands down the best video you have produced. The music, the graphics, the pacing, the topic and the writing. Holy crap it’s like a movie

[@ClassicalTraining]

JT has been uploding one banger after the other. The production quality has reached skyrocket level. This team really does keep me wondering what they will do next. Honestly, one of the best channels to grace KZbin. I especially loved the sanctions section. Incredible stuff, as always. And, while I feel that I am losing braincells with every other popular youtube video, I feel like I really learn some things from videos like these.

[@plung3r]

That CIA director looks evil

[@Pixelarter]

Probably it's not just looks

[@Vaeldarg]

It's no coincidence that the shadiest times in the CIA's/FBI's histories are when under conservative leadership. (either head of the agency or from Congress/President)

[@psidot]

Here is Australia I want to know what goes on out at Pine Gap. The last Australia Prime Minister who asked and hinted at not renewing the lease for the base, Gough Whitlam in 1975, ended up being knee-capped by the US. Since then no Australian Prime Minister has ever dared to ask.

[@whatabouttheearth]

That is the FIVE EYES network, specifically ECHELON Four things to learn about to more understand the birth of the US as the premier world power are: Manhattan Project Marshall Plan Bretton Woods Agrements FIVE EYES (ECHELON)

[@whatabouttheearth]

That is the FIVE EYES network, specifically ECHELON Four things to learn about to more understand the birth of the US as the premier world power are: Manhattan Project Marshall Plan Bretton Woods Agrements FIVE EYES (ECHELON)

[@Lil_Lola44]

Whitlam was pro Australian independence he wanted to separate us from the Brititish Monarchy and gave the USA a simple choice end the secrecy or get out. They responded with a coup and no Australian president has dared call for independence ever again.

[@satyasyasatyasya5746]

Wasn't "How to hide an Empire" or "How the US hides its empire" a book a while back? :D i heard its pretty good

[@SecondThought]

Yes! Highly recommended

[@satyasyasatyasya5746]

@@SecondThought OMG HE NOTICED ME

[@a.randomjack6661]

The audiobook is on yt.

[@dahawk8574]

Abby Martin is also on yt. Empire Files.

[@a.randomjack6661]

@@dahawk8574 She sure broke my set 🙂

[@Johnlikeme]

Thanks so much for this video, this is a great explanation of US imperialism, especially if you don't know much about the subject!

[@slenderman1885]

Your work makes an impact and your passion is contagious thank you for the new vision

[@Apodeipnon]

A guy pulling out a map in a high production value KZbin video is kind of triggering to me but go on

[@dntmesswithmeow]

Johnny CIA Harris has entered the chat

[@SamWilkinsonn]

Why is it triggering to you?

[@halinaqi2194]

He loves paper

[@ravenouself4181]

@@SamWilkinsonn Probably because of Johnny Harris

[@SamWilkinsonn]

@@ravenouself4181 that answers nothing but I don’t care about the answer anymore. The unnecessary vagueness is annoying me.

[@Durrutitv]

NGL, it's time for CIA Johnny to abdicate his throne as the king of yt editing.

[@Planet.Xplor3r]

We stan communist sans undertale

[@youtubeuser1946]

​@@Planet.Xplor3r fr.

[@youtubeuser1946]

Fr 🎉

[@youtubeuser1946]

He ended them easily

[@ksefchik]

I’ve been telling people this exact point about military bases for years: “How many other countries can you think of that have bases in other sovereign nations?”

[@podemosurss8316]

I'm from Spain, and here there are two US bases since the 1950s, when the fascist dictator Franco leased part of two Spanish military bases (an airfield and Spain's largest military harbor) in exchange for US support. After Franco's death, the US tricked Spain into joining NATO against the will of most of the population. There are still protests under the slogan "OTAN no, bases fuera" (no NATO, get the bases out).

[@coolioso808]

If this video was shown to every High School History class and also in University for refresher, then, maybe then we should see a mass awakening and solidarity movement for system change emerge to dismantle the US Empire in decline. But we need a platform to work together. One Small Town initiative may just be the ticket. And the Peter Joseph project after Zeitgeist: Requiem comes out can be another. In the meantime, check out Library Socialism with Srsly Wrong Boys and how that can be built in your community for important mutual aid that we all will need during the needed revolution. Support worker co-ops as well!

[@MCArt25]

France, the UK, Russia, China are the other major powers with military bases in foreign countries. There's also Denmark, the Netherlands, and IIRC India.

[@xirsixussien7303]

​@@MCArt25 But they all add up to 30 bases while the US alone has 800 foreign military bases.

[@zeissiez]

@@MCArt25 China with 4x the population of the US has only 1 in Djibouti

[@abdelilhmanflores]

Even citizens of the empire aren’t safe. I am a victim of the poverty draft. I joined the military out of sheer desperation. My options were literally streets, jail or dead. It’s easier to imagine the end of the world than to imagine the end of the capitalist system.

[@coolioso808]

Until we see a better pathway, it the future does look bleak, but that's why I spend time looking for those better ways forward, together. Please do yourself a favour and become familiar with The Zeitgeist Movement (TZMOfficialChannel) and the One Small Town initiative based on Ubuntu Contributionism. Knowing is half the battle. And do what Roger Waters' mother advised him to do when he was a boy, "Read all you can, read everything from all sources. At that point the hard work is done, then all you have to do is do the right thing."

[@bobs182]

Capitalism is greatest system ever devised but like all things you can have too much of a good thing as we are presently undergoing excesses which will eventually normalize following some turmoil. No matter what system you have the people at the top get the most of everything.

[@coolioso808]

@@bobs182 Capitalism is the crisis. But go ahead, defend capitalism like it is your abusive uncle who you won't admit has harmed you and many others, because you think there will always be abusive relationships so what does it matter how bad they are? Definitely don't watch Culture in Decline series. I don't think you can handle that level of truth.

[@kensurrency2564]

Any system that can be gamed will eventually become corrupt. We need to set up a more robust system that is self-correcting and more resistant to corruption. I really have no idea how to do that. I’ve been thinking about it for years.

[@Ekaustonian]

America doesn't promise success, but rather the opportunity for it. Did you come out better after the military? The vast majority of people do - coming out financially strong, job skills, and potential for a full ride in college.

[@Ray_More]

Thanks!

[@Necrapocalypse]

If you want to know why I'm not exactly terrified of China's rise it's got a lot to do with this. A multipolar world would make it harder for one empire to maintain such a global presence and impose such devastating sanctions like in Cuba if they can trade with a different economic center. None of that means that China is perfect but it is difficult to argue it's worse than the US.

[@ivoryquillum4436]

That is a good point, and every day, it gets harder to argue for the US over China.

[@tylerdoss7644]

​@@ivoryquillum4436 not really both are complete shit holes at this point

[@thescarecrow2710]

China has ZERO respect for the Environment and ZERO respect for LGBT and Puts ZERO value on religion as a communist state. So if either environment, LGBT or religion are important to you, china is worse

[@Theuglymug]

Listen, the u.s. has issues but the fact you can talk about it online without fear of consequence is more than you could say for china

[@Theuglymug]

​@@tylerdoss7644yea, saying that one is better than the other us fairly irrelevant because we deserve better than both

[@UnimpressedViking]

i’m from Hawai’i, i’m of native origins, and i would never call myself American. Hawaiians are much more kind, family oriented, and concerned with being fair. Americans are…well, capitalist & hyper-individualist. could NOT be me

[@skygge1006]

⁠@@melgonz2087who told you you have strong lemurian roots? Is that a legitimate native group in California and you are confusing or joking about it with the mythological continent of lemuria? I didn’t know there was a native group with a similar name to the mythological continent in California so now I wonder if it was named after it.

[@Maharlikano_XYZ]

Americans kept protesting against China for independence for both Hong Kong and Taiwan, but can't afford to let go of Guam, Solomon Islands and Hawaii.

[@edgarvonboltzmann7465]

​@@meetontheledge1380. You sound fragile.

[@jimk8520]

I can say with certainty that you haven’t seen enough of your own country or met enough of your fellow “Americans”.

[@dthomas9230]

I worked out of Honolulu a while back and learned a lot from the Kamaaina local boys.

[@gregorynuttall]

Back when I was a conservative, I remember reading a book called, The Next 100 Years: A Forecast for the 21st Century, written by George Friedman. The takeaway I got was basically, "hey don't worry. No matter who becomes president, or whatever happens politically, the US will still be fine because we control all trade routes with our military". I remember that giving my little republican heart comfort, but now it really sickens my Socialist heart these days.

[@blackchrysler]

The sad thing is that the collapse of the US empire probably won't happen this century. I know it will fall eventually, but I hope I live long enough to see it.

[@ethirium4389]

​@@blackchryslerI'd give it around 2050

[@Andy1805-y8w]

@@ethirium4389 With the genocidal neocon warmongers in Washington, DC at the moment, 2050 is very optimistic.

[@Funked420]

@@gregorynuttall so your saying you want are country to fall? Not a very friendly thing to say, you do realize if it does fall people will lose their livelihoods

[@gregorynuttall]

@@Funked420 do other countries need to fall so that ours can be maintained? Because we've made many countries fall economically, and it's leading to many families dying in poverty across the globe.

[@thephilguy1]

Production quality on this video was insane. You wrote in your pinned comment that you're not Vox or Johnny Harris, but the video felt like it had a mainstream media budget.

[@nrheartless9964]

Awesome vid!

[@RunicSoulEater]

First thought that popped in my head when I saw all the maps. "He is Johnny Harris but a better person". Always been a huge fan keep up the good work comrade.

[@peachyjam9440]

What was the Second Thought?

[@FreshHeat]

Glad to see How to Hide an Empire points be summated in an essay video! great work

[@debdebberton]

our big beautiful boy stays winning 💯💯💯

[@theonewiththegoldentouch]

The more i learn about america and our history, the more i despise being one

[@croszdrop1]

Go live somewhere else then

[@Vaeldarg]

Could be much worse. Could be a Russian living in a kleptocratic dictatorship. Or Chinese unable to so much as protest by holding up a blank piece of paper, because that is the degree to which lack any freedoms. At least America is a country with the resources and systems available (currently, the far-right is trying hard to undermine them after successfully stacking the Supreme Court, not to mention what Project 2025 lays out) to even have the ability to solve its problems.

[@NoUsername-470]

No Nation is perfect. Canadian Soldiers threw food at germans then after days of this they threw grenades. The natives kidnapped children from settlements. The Chinese are actively committing unspeakable acts in their west. If you look closely enough you will find something horrible in every major nation’s history. Just be happy you live in a nation where you can say you hate it.

[@croszdrop1]

@@Dezzo0721 some are too weak for this world brother

[@shanehayes855]

Which countries are better?

[@Guillotine_thebourgeoisue]

Vietnam 🗿

[@redacted3740]

Undefeated

[@plung3r]

Vietnam is now very pro American

[@arrr_shad]

I started listening to Blowback recently and it is the BEST! Thank you!

[@SecondThought]

Ayyy so glad you like it! Love their work

[@arrr_shad]

I love your videos as well. Please keep up the great work that you do.

[@shenzhong2942]

JT’s getting more skilled with each video, I appreciate his dedication to his craft

[@vascoapolonio2309]

Obrigado!

[@thejapanarchocommunist]

I actually live in Yokosuka, which is home to the largest US Navy base in the entirety of Asia. I'm ex-Navy and got stationed there, and I can honestly say literally nothing we do over there has fuck-all to do with protecting Japan or "defending freedom", and everything to do with protecting American interests. Case in point: there's a genocide happening right now in Myanmar against the Rohingya being carried out by the military junta. The US military stationed in Japan abso-fucking-lutely could put a stop to it if we want to: we just don't because it's not in our interests to piss off the junta. Fortunately though, I got out of the Navy, moved to Yokosuka permanently and turned as left-wing as they come; I now run a Food Not Bombs chapter here (among other things) and talk to active duty Navy folks to try and get them to get out of the Navy. Because I'm a Navy veteran and know what they go through (as well as the EXTREMELY predatory recruiting practices they employ), they can relate to me easily so its easier for me to convince them to get out than other folks. I consider it a personal mission to see to it I get them to leave and see the issues of the American military-industrial complex, because I find the most convincing folks to keep people from joining American's imperialist forces is having folks that were directly involved with that shit tell them the reality of the situation.

[@whatabouttheearth]

WOW. You stayed in Yokosuka or went back? I was stationed out of Yokosuka in Marine Corps FAST Company in 2003 and later became a LibCom after I got out in 2008. But I would argue that the US militaries presence in Japan itself does project Japan in the not quite likely scenario of some country potentially wanting to invade Japan simply because the US is such a massive imperial power no one wants to mess with the US. But yeah, we see in things like Operation Condor in South America that the US "defending freedom" is simply propaganda bullshit 🤷 and apparently effective propaganda bullshit because people are blind to all the brutal authoritarianism the US has propped up, supported, or as you point out, simply let happen. 🤦 I know this sounds pathetic but one of the things I still crave and miss the most about Japan is the Teriyaki Burgers they used to have at McDonald's there 😂 I might be beyond redemption. Japan is such a beautiful country with many very kind people.

[@whatabouttheearth]

WOW. You stayed in Yokosuka or went back? I was stationed out of Yokosuka in Marine Corps FAST Company in 2003 and later became a LibCom after I got out in 2008. But I would argue that the US militaries presence in Japan itself does project Japan in the not quite likely scenario of some country potentially wanting to invade Japan simply because the US is such a massive imperial power no one wants to mess with the US. But yeah, we see in things like Operation Condor in South America that the US "defending freedom" is simply propaganda bullshit 🤷 and apparently effective propaganda bullshit because people are blind to all the brutal authoritarianism the US has propped up, supported, or as you point out, simply let happen. 🤦 I know this sounds pathetic but one of the things I still crave and miss the most about Japan is the Teriyaki Burgers they used to have at McDonald's there 😂 I might be beyond redemption. Japan is such a beautiful country with many very kind people.

[@kensurrency2564]

Tell them about Smedley Butler. Good job speaking the truth. Keep up the fight!

[@kittykatkattooxd7880]

yaaayy new second thought video to eat breakfast too like an iPad kid

[@jaredwark4775]

Not me reading this comment while I’m eating lunch. 😂

[@nadiac6439]

Lmao just drank a Protein Shake while watching this video 😂

[@mia_djojowasito_malik]

I live near an airbase. When I hear busy activity & I check to see what's up, only to learn the US air force is doing “bilateral training” with my country's airforce, it infuriates me. It makes me wonder if they're going to weaponise my people to fight a proxy war against China because “ONLY AMERICAN LIVES MATTER” and enlistment has dropped. So fed up with the imperialism. Just go fund geography classes instead of war or something ffs

[@WONGKHAIHONGMoe]

Where do you live, just curious.

[@mia_djojowasito_malik]

@@WONGKHAIHONGMoe Indonesia 🙏🙏

[@sassylittleprophet]

​@mia_djojowasito_malik as an American, I'm terrified to live here, but I'm also terrified at the thought of living anywhere else. My parents were abusive, and the more I learn about the States, the more I feel like I'm surviving under an abusive parent (country) all over again.

[@literallyarthurmorgan.]

@@mia_djojowasito_malik Just hearing that infuriates me too, its just an insult at this point after what they did in Indonesia in the 1960s ughhh I hate the usa so much

[@PosthumanProphet]

Indonesia will be free, there will be too many Muslims (and progressive ones) in the future to let it remain occupied.

[@miniciominiciominicio]

Thank you

[@gracelovesraze]

wow the editing just keeps getting better

[@SecondThought]

Thanks so much! We’re really proud of this one

[@jamesbisonnette]

@@SecondThought any books available in Internet Archive you recommend?

[@guillermoalcala5047]

This is one of the best videos you have made that I can think of, congratulations! You do an amazing job. Cheers and saludos from Monterrey, México!

[@marvinullrich503]

Danke!

[@jihyounnie]

"eventually every empire falls" INSHALLAH

[@sleethmitchell]

you hear that communism/socialism just doesn't work. yet, somehow, despite the economic war waged on cuba for the past 60 years, it's still hanging in there. meanwhile, there are more and more people living under bridges right here in the land of plenty.

[@jamesmillar5951]

"communism always fails, that's why we spend trillions of dollars to ensure that it does"

[@carnetplank6259]

You dont know what you are talking about, you think communism and socialism is interchangeable. Cuba wouldve switched ideology in a heartbeat if it had free and fair elections

[@sleethmitchell]

@@carnetplank6259 free and fair elections? like in our country? the CIA has admitted its role in overturning 'free and fair elections' in other countries.

[@BillyBowlster]

@@carnetplank6259 "free and fair elections" hahahahahahahahahahahahahaha i mean that's America's bread and butter right, install dictators to suck out and hollow out the wealth of the country, saves you having to go in there and enslaving the population yourself like you tried with vietnam.

[@lockdown1776]

500k cubans have fled since 2021, they’re not doing good

[@ZenBen_the_Elder]

Go off, son!

[@DerrickRuthless]

Here I am a socialist in America realizing I am the enemy of my own government. We need change.

[@RXJis300]

i hate communism

[@kimyoung2748]

Yes I am a socialist. The colleges that are controlled by zionists, will teach students that capitalism is the only economy that works. Capitalism is destroying, not building up.

[@MxPotato84]

Same, and agreed.

[@carnetplank6259]

You are not just opposed to the government you know, your ideology advocates the end of democracy

[@LakkzScratch]

@@carnetplank6259 socialism for the most part advocates for democrazy, the U.S is barely a democrazy, considering that rich people and business owners still hold most of the voting power, and electoral college...

[@Peterthe4444]

Thank you for everything you do. I have learnt so much from your videos.

[@BecauseSymbols]

Friendly PSA from your local history student: Athens, Greece the “birthplace of democracy “ (tm) did exactly this, invading nearby territories in the name of spreading democracy while conveniently the regions were also the best producers of grain, how about that! No two consecutive years during the 50 or so year period of the Athenian Democratic Republic were peaceful : the citizens (men) voted every single time to be at war, and the public forum was similarly manipulated by charismatic speakers who used rhetoric rather than facts or reason to justify their economic gain through violent invasion. This conversation has been going on since the dawn of civilization. Also, did you know that the oldest musical instruments we know of are 40,000 year old flutes? We’ve been jammin’ out way longer than we think, this bullshit came from somewhere and poisoned us. Unite.

[@MCArt25]

There's a reason people call it the Athenian Empire after the fact.

[@kensurrency2564]

Typical human psychopath behavior.

[@michaelhurley3171]

Learned it from our dad the British. He still helps us out when we get in trouble, he's just a lot smaller than he used to be!

[@purplespades9632]

This video is way more better than Johnny Harris' video on US Imperialism.

[@bhhaaaal]

Simple to understand. World Bank. IMF. Western corporations. MIC.

[@carnetplank6259]

All buzzwords, no proof

[@whatabouttheearth]

The 3 main things that INITIATED the global dominance of the US are: Manhattan Project Marshall Plan Bretton Woods Agrements

[@whatabouttheearth]

The 3 main things that INITIATED the global dominance of the US are: Manhattan Project Marshall Plan Bretton Woods Agrements

[@whatabouttheearth]

Five things to learn about to more understand the birth of the US as the premier world power are: 1. Manhattan Project (Nuclear supremacy first) 2. Marshall Plan (economic rebuilding of Europe for US interests. Related to Gladio somewhat) 3. Bretton Woods Agrements (IMF, World Bank GROUP) 4. FIVE EYES (ECHELON) 5. The Monroe Doctrine (Hemisphere Dominance related later to Condor)

[@whatabouttheearth]

Five things to learn about to more understand the birth of the US as the premier world power are: 1. Manhattan Project (Nuclear supremacy first) 2. Marshall Plan (economic rebuilding of Europe for US interests. Related to Gladio somewhat) 3. Bretton Woods Agrements (IMF, World Bank GROUP) 4. FIVE EYES (ECHELON) 5. The Monroe Doctrine (Hemisphere Dominance related later to Condor)

[@SergioHidalgoAero]

Wow just came across this channel, the peoduction is just WOW

[@celiseballow7443]

I wish you made longer videos. Your content is excellent and i have used your videos to explain so much to my teen. But longer videos would be absolutely amazing.

[@TheZombieButler]

Stay strong I am appreciative of your work.

[@_redmenace1917]

i can imagine JT in the studio vibin out to some lofi style beats he's workin on

[@AlternativeGeopolitics]

The quality of the videos are just amazing

[@SecondThought]

Thanks so much! We’re quite proud of our work

[@zapatasghost]

Production quality has gotten to be incredible! Nice work

[@aliteralparadox5998]

i am terminally online

[@Sayyian]

go lift weights

[@victorygarden556]

Do some agriculture while you listen to this shit 😂

[@chronikhiles]

Touch grass man

[@ADM.II.]

🌱🌱🌱

[@JJTheCardinal]

The intro made me think this was gonna be a feature length documentary xD But seriously, thank y'all for your hard work and dedication on these videos, it really shows! ^^

[@longlivegraeber616]

JT fantastic content as always, and very important topic. But it’s just not accurate to say the US left the Philippines without much of a fight, actually we fought like hell to keep it. The Filipino war for independence against the US was the longest war in US history until the Afghan war overtook it very recently (which to me is one of the most surprising facts about the American empire). Daniel Immerwahr has the exact stats. Certainly your point stands that the US started giving up colonies once it became geopolitically expedient to do so. But it must be told in context, we must understand how bloodily our country fought to keep its colonies. All the best to you and keep up the good work.

[@SecondThought]

I’ve discussed it at length in previous videos. Gotta make cuts somewhere, this is already a long one

[@renanalvim6160]

This is so good. I wish there was subtitles in my language so I could share with people in my country who dont know english. Definitely sharing with the ones who know though

[@Arkad-YT]

JT has gotta be the best chanel on YT by now

[@sergejbozinovic6096]

One of your best yet! Phenomenally produced, edited and narrated. I am reminded of Parenti saying sth similar to: I remember when I was a kid in middle school and all these countries had colonies, England, France but we didn't. I asked my teacher what about those inserts in the map like the Philippines, Puerto Rico etc. She said, the US doesn't have colonies it has territories.

[@schrenk-d]

Fantastic as always JT. I'd imagine you'd be super interested in some of the political turmoil in Australia over Pine Gap.

[@JohnfromManitoba]

Everyone gangsta till native americans start getting nationalistic

[@MercuryTheVexilliologyNerd]

or class conscious.

[@Funked420]

@@JohnfromManitoba honestly I love being part of the US as a indigenous person myself, Id go to war If I have to protect my country like the people before have!

[@DatabaseAdministration]

​@@Funked420 Ew

[@Vaeldarg]

@@DatabaseAdministration Keep in mind that for all the U.S's faults, it's a utopia compared to the likes of Russia and China. Even European powers generally have worse histories of treatment and violence, so there's MUCH worse countries to have been a marginalised native of.

[@NoUsername-470]

Good luck trying.

[@coolioso808]

Thanks! Really important information for everybody to know all in one place! If we want any climate action and social improvement beyond capitalism, we are going to need to focus on dismantling the US Empire. There will be no peace in this world while the US Empire and its many military bases invading other sovereign countries are still active. Build local mutual aid, library socialism and support worker co-ops, in the meantime, because we need to prepare! United we stand, divided we fall.

[@DrojanaleTorvic]

You left out the part where America annexed half of Mexico

[@tylerdoss7644]

You forgot the part where the US was backing texan independence and originally only wanted that

[@plumeater1]

That was before 1900s. This video is talking about, like the title said, "How The US Took Over The World", where it generally started during the modern age, especially during and after the second world war. If it would be included, then other wars should also be included and that would make it a longer video, and should have been made into a series.

[@iROChakri]

​@@tylerdoss7644 America is blaming China for shit America always does 😂

[@rodo-k7o]

@@tylerdoss7644puro tejas!!!

[@brunnus-b2m]

like mexico is any better. its built on the genocide of native americans too. mexicos mestizo majority is the byproduct of spanish men forcing them selfs on indigenous women.

[@HPDevlin]

Eventually every empire falls, and then is replaced by a new empire with different masters but the same outcomes.

[@violetlight1548]

Second Thought -- Canadian here. I was wondering, *why* does the US "allow" its Western allies to have much better qualities of life for their own citizens than the average American citizen has? Like, we in Canada - right next door and admittedly not all that much better than the States - enjoy universal healthcare (which saved mine and my son's lives), year long parental leaves, functional public schools and universities (our unis aren't free, but they do offer much more sensible tuition rates and non-predatory student loans), and sensible gun control. From my understanding, Australia and New Zealand enjoy much the same thing and most European countries have it even better, with real public transportation options and even lower or outright free post-secondary added to the mix. Meanwhile our southern neighbour is the only Western country where its citizens are subject to medical debt, where student loans cost more than mortgages, childcare is non-existent and people are in fear for their children's lives at school due to gun maniacs. Plus, it's not like they even try to hide that the US has a much lower quality of life than its allies -- any American can go online and see it for themselves at any time. I know there is a lot of misinformation out there, but even a tiny bit of research would prove the propaganda wrong. My question is, why is it like this? Not that I *want* the US to, for a lack of a better word, shittify the rest of the world. But you would think Americans themselves would be demanding to at least be treated as well as us up here north of the border. It just doesn't make any sense to me.

[@thiagovidal8972]

Because the USA has to pay to those countries , USA is like a western India company of capitalism. Everybody buys bonds and everybody receives green paper for the blood of third world.

[@kensurrency2564]

That’s an excellent observation. I don’t know why we’re treated so poorly. You’d think they would be worried about a real uprising. Maybe it’s because they’d immediately bring the force of the military machine down onto the people, like they did during the coal miners’ uprisings. It’s probably economic. They keep us barely above minimum survival and shower us with toys and loads of propaganda. The propaganda is key. We still think we are the shining house on the hill. Myths and legends are hard to break.

[@ChasmChaos]

A bit off topic here, but Canadians comparing their healthcare with America's and thinking "we're doing great" really grates on my nerves. It takes 5 years to get a GP in Quebec and takes close to a year to get a specialist in Ontario. Both the US and Canada have no healthcare, just that in the US you need insane amounts of money and in Canada you need a time machine. At least in Ontario and Quebec, the play being followed is starving socialized healthcare to the point where it becomes completely useless (I argue it already is) such that the "efficiency of the free market" can swoop in. To your point about why the US allows this - My take is that it makes sense for the US to not do number 2 where they live. They would much rather try out the really heinous stuff elsewhere much further away. Having stable neighbours with content citizens is important just so that other geopolitical actors aren't able to do anything agitational.

[@violetlight1548]

@@ChasmChaos I call bullshit. I'm in Ontario, I moved to a new city and got a new GP in less than a year, and easily switched to another one when the first didn't work out. And when I *really* needed lifesaving care for my son and I, we got it immediately. No questions, no messing around, and it didn't cost me a dime out-of-pocket. I'll take that over the "system" in the States that is literally killing and bankrupting people everyday. However, I do agree that we as Canadians deserve better. We need to stop being satisfied with *just* being better than the States, and look more towards Europe to see how health care should be.

[@cgpxae2119]

Every point you made could be argued is cherry picked or subjective. Universal healthcare sounds great on paper until you get your paycheck and it’s only 40% of what you thought you’d make, and who said America doesn’t have functioning schools and universities? Compared to where?

[@thehoi4standard8915]

Thats quite the title. I hope this video gets a lot of new viewers

[@Mene0]

Incredible video JT. The "global economy" part was very well explained while the "colonies" part showed me a bunch of stuff I didn't know

[@GutzonBorglum-f8q]

Bro the production value of this videos gets better and better every time

[@chemreac1]

Brilliant as usual.

[@peanutsveryepicchannel8699]

brainrot man!!!!

[@epochalypsemeow5732]

The Silent Coup - How Corporations Overthrew Democracy is a handy companion read for this.

[@whatabouttheearth]

'Killing Hope' by William Blum and 'The Jekarta Method'

[@whatabouttheearth]

'Killing Hope' by William Blum and 'The Jekarta Method'

[@whatabouttheearth]

'Killing Hope' by William Blum and 'The Jekarta Method'

[@AnemoiaGuy]

Last time when I was this early, Soviet union is still there 😢

[@Vaeldarg]

Why the crying emoji? If the USSR didn't fall, they probably would've continued going after more than just Japan's northern islands. Which would mean no anime.

[@AnemoiaGuy]

😂 😂😂😂

[@jonferrin5694]

JT, in a perfect world, we wouldn't need these videos. I really wish more Americans were capable of critical thinking so we could have honest discussions about the state of Capitalism (modern day feudalism with a few tweaks to keep the masses satiated) and it's destructive/exploitative nature. The narrative of America being the "shining beacon of freedom" really loses it luster when you peel back the layers of propaganda and lies. Keep up the great/very important work. There is no possibility of positive change without honest journalism.

[@HandymanPeters]

This video is such an eye opener! Thank you for the informational content! So happy to find this channel!

[@Ouzrighara]

I was looking for a similar video and found it was you. While I was thinking why I did not get notified, I was Very Very Happy. Thank you. Amazing video.

[@Cannabonsai]

Another awesome video

[@Simte]

Keep the good work everyone. Great production.

[@AFYTFR]

Extremely well-made, could very well be on the Netflix series ''Explained''. Great word choices, graphics, and stats. Keep it up, tovaritsch.

[@firestarter1888]

Fk netflix

[@J-Mo1312]

Another great episode. Thanks team, solidarity.

[@joecitizen6702]

Great video as always.

[@aris2001]

Excelent information bro 🤙

[@nemo17923]

I think this could be a great gateway for the average person into socialism. Well done, JT!

[@eges72]

Normalization of socialism is essential especially during these times. JT (Alongside Hasan) does it perfectly

[@justinbremer2281]

Ah, I had thought this would just be about how the most common map projections make the USA look bigger, more central, and more important than everywhere else. Very fascinating, and not a way I had sees to think before, even while I was aware of bases around the globe.