The Evil Business of Bananas

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The disturbing business of bananas - a documentary looking at the dark history of the banana industry & The United Fruit Company. This involves the coup in Honduras, the banana massacre, and overthrowing the democratically-elected Guatemalan leader.
The banana industry is responsible for massacres, revolutions, wars, and secret deals with the CIA. At one point, the world’s largest banana company practically acted like a government in Central America, controlling most of their land and infrastructure. They were responsible for overthrowing presidents who tried to give workers more rights, and installing leaders who helped the banana companies make more money. Honestly, after this video, you will never look at a banana the same way again. This is the disturbing true story of the banana business.
In episode 1 of this banana business series, we looked at the rise of Sam, the banana man - how a penniless immigrant made a fortune selling ripe bananas, and worked his way up to becoming a major player in the banana business. But in this episode, we’re going to look at what happened next, as once Samuel Zemurray became involved with a company called United Fruit, the story takes a much darker turn. If you enjoy dark business documentaries about powerful corporations, the disturbing history of the banana industry is for you.
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The Disturbing Business of Bananas
The DEADLY Business of Bananas
The Evil Business of Bananas
⏲️ CHAPTERS:
00:00 The Disturbing Business of Bananas (Intro)
01:06 1910: Revolution (Sam overthrows a government)
07:12 The Unstoppable Rise of United Fruit (How they became so dominant)
11:06 1915 - 1930: The Banana War (Sam & Cuyamel Fruit Vs United Fruit)
20:44 AG1 Deal
21:48 1928: The Banana Massacre (How United Fruit dealt with strikes)
24:26 1932: "Retirement" (Sam returns and seizes control of United Fruit)
31:45 Mid 1930's: Disease (Why bananas aren't the same as they used to be)
36:31 1939 - 1945: World War II (How the war nearly killed the banana business)
39:21 1940's - 1950's: The Coup (How United Fruit & The CIA overthrew a democratically elected leader)
47:44 1950's - Present: The Final Chapter (What happened after Sam left United Fruit)
50:46 Epilogue (John's thoughts)
DISCLAIMER: I'm not a financial advisor. I may receive a commission on affiliate links used. All content used within the parameters of fair use. Please view our About page to contact us.
Paid sponsorship enquires for MagnatesMedia: [e-mail]

[@MagnatesMedia]

🍌 Part 1: kzbin.info/www/bejne/oGfQpoh6Z7iIoZo The banana industry has a very dark past… massacres, wars, and overthrowing democratically elected leaders (on multiple occasions). At one point, they essentially had more power in Central American countries than their own governments did, and they exploited that fully. But as well as looking at all that, this video continues the story of Sam Zemurray - who in part 1 had started out selling ripe bananas, but then expanded his company (Cuyamel Fruit) to try and compete with the dominant industry leader, United Fruit. This is the story of how Sam kept pushing things further, and eventually became the banana king. But at what cost? Honestly though, despite all the madness the banana industry is involved with, one of the strangest things I learnt from researching all this is that a banana is classified as a berry… wtf. Anyway, hope you all enjoy this 2 part series! And thanks to AG1 for sponsoring - go to drinkAG1.com/magnatesmedia to get the exclusive MagnatesMedia deal! :)

[@popcornpizza8869]

I was waiting for this to come out, the first one was really well made

[@Insect...]

Bro keep going u r doing very good i am a big fan No no in ur words I am a big legend!

[@Swaxol]

yes

[@youturnedtogoldwhenitouche6786]

I think is same with grapes and any other exotic fruit which only kings and presidents and wealthy ppl can afford! I do feel sad still for what happened. our forefathers used to get along gayfully! Oneness for presenting way better than most others. ✌💚

[@Claudiaaliru]

Hello, could you make a video about Black Rock company, please!

[@soldierofgodrick2445]

A story about bananas has no right being this interesting. Well done sir

[@onemoreguyonline7878]

I think magnates media and half as interesting need to do a collaboration about banana bricks

[@victor.chirita]

The story itself is Bananas

[@drknss0082]

They should make a movie about it

[@WhoAmEye_WhoAreEwe]

@@drknss0082 what would the movie title be? :)

[@drknss0082]

@@WhoAmEye_WhoAreEwe The Banana King!🍌👑

[@somerandomfella]

This is basically US business and politics in a nutshell. If they're willing to go to that extent over bananas, imagine pharma, oil & gold.

[@randomhuman1754]

As a kid I always used to idolize USA as a superpower good guy but as I grew older I understood the other side of coin on how evil they were too

[@alanwann9318]

Britain is also under these methods today.

[@alanwann9318]

A first class doc, a lesson in politics also

[@triadwarfare]

And Sam was a Russian that immigrated to the United States.

[@peterheinzo515]

has nothing to do with the us and everything with capitalism.

[@DaLoveDonkey69420]

Sam buying the land from BOTH the "supposed owners" was the best move ever 😂 well done Sam

[@paulcharles2457]

Must do better

[@tutorialsimake]

He really was like "I dont give a shit who owns it take my money"

[@DaLoveDonkey69420]

@@tutorialsimake pretty much lmao

[@rightsdontcomewithpermits7073]

The best part was about all them peasants suffering. 😂

[@user-TRUELEGEND]

Agreed! Simply Genius!

[@eggnt799]

Sam is an example of that old quote "you either die a hero, or you live long enough to see yourself become the villian"

[@mayanboricua]

You mean Uncle Sam?

[@eggnt799]

@@mayanboricua him too lol

[@holembac]

He did both

[@JuanMejia-md8re]

That was joker

[@eggnt799]

@@JuanMejia-md8re who is joker?

[@BIMBOOn]

your videos are better than the shows we pay netflix

[@internet_userr]

But he gets lots of money from sponsors and ads and remember you are the product here

[@internet_userr]

The real customers are the brands that choose to advertise that's all they care about

[@sayonarabeats9048]

​@@internet_userryes but that doesn't mean we can't watch It for free which is what the original comment is about. Everyone knows we are the product, but these days that also goes for paid services.

[@mrwrldwide6351]

@@internet_userrwaaaaa

[@bobthedopeman7327]

​@internet_userr but what ? Who cares?

[@balderium_858]

That is one of the best youtube video series that ive ever seen. Kudos to you John and all of your brilliant editors!

[@internet_userr]

Kudos

[@gotcha5665]

Kudos

[@Dumpsack]

Kudos

[@parmjitkaur5675]

Kudos!

[@typhoidfever549]

This felt like it should’ve been a Netflix documentary

[@DodgerX]

Never thought I would be so interested in watching an hour long video about bananas in my life. It was so good. Thank you magnatesmedia.

[@djtrankilo231]

I remember learning about the United Fruit Company via my Latin American History class in college. It definitely opened my eyes, along with my US History class about US affairs throughout the world. It taught me that the world doesn't hate the US out of envy, but rather ruining their well-being because the US wanted to please their lobbyists overseas all for a pretty penny

[@nigelmarwa6246]

Some of these nations are not blameless the colombian army was the one that killed it's own people not the us army

[@kanyewests6676]

I mean it’s just our rich folks and their rich folks.

[@felwinter7538]

@@benfrancois7856lol yeah, but no one has as much power as the USA, maybe the EU combined can kinda equal them. So yeah that’s why the USA is always the one most criticized.

[@RasVoja]

@@felwinter7538 Its not the amounth of rich people. Its what they do to become and stay rich. Its like saying its ok for 100 people to live extreme luxory underlooking millions are dying because of it.

[@gemini_chocolade506]

The Banana King...I would love to see his story come alive in a movie!

[@stevenleal7922]

With these videos, I'd love to see you do a video about the 5 families involved in taking control of Hawaii. Alot of people don't understand how powerful these old companies were. A big name of those families is still on most of our fruit products today.

[@lying_lynx]

My very smart son told me about the company you are hinting at when he saw a sticker on our bananas. He had seen a video about it. We have a local hospital company that was involved in trying to develop a way to kill Fiedel Castro. Every time I hear the hospital's name, I wonder how a bunch of hospitals were named after someone trying to assassinate Castro. It's a crazy story.

[@DHN_CRYPTO]

Dole?

[@themanhimself3]

​@@DHN_CRYPTObingo

[@kweena]

Literally as I’m listening to this (at work) I’m thinking, Hawaii story next!

[@RasVoja]

Oh yes, how Hawai became US state. Or Texcas. Or California? :DD

[@maxhill7065]

I used to just eat sliced bananas in milk as a kid. When I was 21 I developed a deathly allergy to bananas, but thankfully I can still eat my favorite food, banana bread, because the protein I'm allergic to is destroyed when they're baked

[@AznPrzsn]

This story is pretty bananas. Glad I finally got to see a mini-documentary about all this. I'd already been aware of its effects having been to Honduras for a time and the tragedy and hardship this kind of thing had brought upon the country, but wasn't aware of all the specifics.

[@i_KillCampersDayZKillCamZ]

The crazy part is people know about this stuff and these people that run these type of companies are not locked up or killed like they should be

[@HakunaWhiskey]

I’ve never been so ready to watch a video about bananas in my life.

[@cryptowire]

🙌🏽💯💯💯

[@chrisrowe6340]

Large over-ripe banana's BBB

[@donaldcleveland7742]

That plot twist with the board meeting is the most satisfying and savage back stab ever! 😂

[@JFirth_Endurance]

Absolutely insane story! Makes you think that every time the US get involved in a different countries affairs there is an American company potentially behind it

[@wendifyplus]

I came as an editor who wanted to watch and improve my editing skills and just like that, I became a guy who enjoys documentaries about businessmen.

[@hardeepdhull8215]

Wendy, I am Hardeep Dhull. Make a tutorial of 40 minutes editing breakdown of this video.

[@gjclark2478]

True story. In 94 I was a trainee tree surgeon. We worked at a guys stately home in Wiltshire that needed major tree work for safety reasons. The trees all had tpo's on them so was a really expensive job, nearly 5 days. The guy renting this property was a diplomat of a Caribbean country. (My boss only dealt with his pa) so we never spoke before the work started, on the penultimate days work, he brought out tea on a silver tray and was chatting about the work and payment. I was told after by my boss that he did not want to pay the bill in money but bananas........... We thought it was a joke, but the guy was 100% serious. It took quite a while to get ££££ out of him but he thought his bananas could be used as payment 😆 The guy was completely "bananas" 😆😆

[@njiomonansichristianfreder6374]

🤭

[@lying_lynx]

I love bananas, but I'm pretty sure I couldn't eat enough to not waste any to make it worth me getting paid with them. Maybe that's why the call money clams...

[@WhoAmEye_WhoAreEwe]

tbf - anything can be used as a value of trade....................it's just that we much prefer cash - everybody wants it [obviously] But if you/your boss was happy with 'banana payments' [ie: 'X bananas' for 'X period of time'], then there is nothing intrinsicly wrong with this method of trading. Just don't try getting a soda from a vending machine with a banana - - - - - ask me how I know ;-)

[@somenygaard]

@@WhoAmEye_WhoAreEweno way!?

[@kenkioqqo]

This channel is the epitome of quality documentaries in 2023.

[@CStark20]

My grandfather was one of the leaders of this plantations in the frontier of Panama and Costa Rica. My father grew up in a town basically owned by Chiquita Banana. He said that town was totally different from any other city around. My grandfather was involved in politics and administration in other countries in Asia as well. They really had power to control regions and influence with local and central government.

[@still.rendering]

you have so quickly become one of my favorite channels. The editing is insane and the stories are fascinating

[@marfesh.hlimawma8882]

Time flies when watching these kinds of well-made documented sublime videos. Cheers 🥂

[@gigihanmandarin]

Dammm, this video is about 55mins long? It felt like a 10mins video. Bravo! Great job John and editors, you guys are brilliant! ❤

[@JonLundgren]

100 percent

[@sun_mir]

As someone who has lived in Guatemala for a few months, I can clearly state: the echoes of the atrocities made there by these related events are still dragging the country down... Those affected people deserve much better life than they are forced to live nowadays 😢

[@thabiso5792]

Multinational corporations have too much power 😢

[@common12]

Seems like this all started with Honduras’ ineptitude building the railroad so they were vulnerable. But of course a victim never looks at themselves.

[@kenyanfurnishedrentalsllc2505]

So happy to see how fast your subscribers count has grown in such a short time. You were at about 250K when I subscribed and that was only months ago. This speaks to the quality of your work. Keep up the good work. ❤

[@neanda]

I love the Epilogue, John's thoughts, bit at the end. it's great that you separate your objective reporting from your subjective opinions, and then let us know what you think about the story. i'm sure i'm not alone in wanting to know what you think about these mad up stories you regale :) thanks for the mini movies, such an adventure every time 👍

[@seancondon146]

As someone who has worked in the fruit business all my life and a distributor of Chiquita bananas I knew some of the stories but this is very well 👏

[@opinionatedthoughts1.]

I hope the CIA doesn’t see this, but gosh dang. The amount of information you give. You make so understandable for me, thank you! Love your videos

[@drew3811]

How does KZbinrs compete with this channel!? Seriously every video is fantastic! Well done 👍🏻.

[@collybrown1590]

This guy is one of the best on KZbin, a great narrator and the videos he uploads are just class 👍🏻👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻 keep up the good work from Northern Ireland 🇬🇧

[@ntsakomaringa6413]

Amazing storytelling, I wish you were my history teacher you would have made studying so much easier

[@Cal1fax]

This story is truly insane and I hope more people take the time to watch this start to finish. Another fantastic, well researched, video.

[@draxuslenox3896]

Loved this two-part story and how well it was produced. Keep up the good work!

[@THAbeetBANDIT]

It's not about the bananas, it was never about the bananas. The disturbing story of *insert fortune 500 company/corrupt banking cartel*

[@adiamondintheroughcleaning8824]

I'm so happy to see a video from you! Thank you John!! 🙏🙏❤️

[@ericchausse1701]

FANTASTIC!!! I loved this story!! Both parts were amazing!! I have a recommendation. Can you make a video about Quiznos? Quiznos, the rise and fall of such a large restaurant empire in such a short time.

[@manuelefonema]

Finally. I've waited patiently for part two, thank you for doing what you do. It has been a constant source of insight, ideas and inspiration. Manuel Ibup

[@ChinoWantan]

I've never heard of the US financing coups in South and Central America before. Warm greetings from Chile

[@davidalmeida2991]

Bravo, John! Amazing documentary. Thank you so much for your fine work!

[@sijugemin3926]

The best business video i have ever seen. My heartfelt thanks. A strong hug from me, for your time and effort you and your team have put in ❤

[@surinfarmwest6645]

As I look out of my window and see the bananas here in Northeast Thailand, and they are small here, this has been an amazing tale.

[@neverseenbefore_5638]

This was absolutely fascinating! Well done, John!!

[@kp0004]

Thanks for a great show, i even told the misses I was excited to see it. Highly rate your content. It’s very impressive what an individual can do

[@MysticFNW]

the way you place an adbreak in between each chapter makes me actually want to watch them and not click off

[@p.al.o4437]

What a roller coaster this tale was. Greatly done. Thanks for your work

[@Raylor]

This is better than Netflix or a movie. holy mother the editing, the music. really good editing here and teh voice, the message. nice

[@Sentient.A.I.]

Wow. This shit is absolutely bananas. Now we know where the term 'Banana Republic' came from.

[@selftitlednoah1336]

I freaked out when I saw the thumbnail thinking that someone stole your video idea and I literally made it to the comments before realizing. You’re videos are just too good. Thank you.

[@nancycowell-miller4321]

Fascinating story! Yes, keep on doing these mini-movies - you present the facts so well! Thank you!

[@Rambuda23]

Magnates media...you are so qualified to make a netflix....documentary❤....I love your channel so glad to be a member of it

[@MichaelEhonwa]

Had to come back to leave a comment. The story telling is on-point. We grow banana at back of our houses in Nigeria

[@jackreeceolrich3636]

Watched about a dozen of your videos so far and I think this one was my favorite! It’s amazing how deep the history of business behind something as simple as bananas can be. Nintendo video was also amazing. Looking forward to watching more!

[@OmegaBlack999]

I found your channel maybe a month or two ago and I LOVE your content. Thanks so much for all this information presented in a well written, cohesive, and pleasing format. I even like your voice. The editing is fantastic. The topics are unexpectedly mint.. You are a treasure of a channel. Thank you.

[@metrolobster1054]

Watched the first and second parts of this story, best business channel on KZbin.

[@jorgemorocho]

One of the best docs I’ve seen! Great job 👏🏼 the editing is 🔥

[@Soilwork-ri8wn]

Thank you and all your staff for the work and visuals.

[@SiligardiS]

Love your videos. Keep it up

[@braydengee7963]

You make such good videos like watching Netflix but you actually learn keep up the great work 👍

[@breakalegfpv9532]

probably Ai involved. you know it will be our new God soon.

[@DodgerX]

@@breakalegfpv9532 it doesn't matter if ai is involved or not if it's making the content better.

[@griffsfurnitureemporium5487]

This story needs to be a movie, if it isn’t already. Absolutely mind blowing

[@IlluminatingWatches]

A truly excellent video. I knew about none of this. Your voice over really brought it to life too.

[@AChippendale]

Thank you so much for this fascinating story. I will never look at bananas in the same way again.

[@RashidT1]

At 20:40 i thought it was the end of the video and was really sad that happened. But little did I know.... Only around 1/3 was watched and the other 2/3 was still remaining... Great video John!!!

[@daltonhope7639]

I've been waiting days for this, thank you!

[@kingbeastko761]

this channel is GOLD ..love your work

[@b__Shaba]

This editing is insane 🔥🔥

[@Xanaxluver]

This is great, I love the two part series and the topic. This story is bananas B-A-N-A-N-A-S

[@charliebarcampos776]

YES!!!!!! I've been waiting for this ALL week!!!!

[@micahmusabe938]

Thank you for making me watch a whole documentary i never knew i needed. Excellent delivery 👏

[@HeisenbergFam]

You are right, I will never look at bananas the same way after this wild video

[@lealeawalker1820]

Can’t wait to see this. Love your work, so glad you kept your channel ❤

[@RickardRehnberg]

Living in Honduras I did not know this dark side of greed rooted here. Side note. I had a banana today and it was imported from Guatemala to Honduras. Chiquita...

[@frank500ish]

Amazing work yet again, thank you for all your hard work.

[@twinbuz8358]

Haven’t watched the whole video yet but I kinda already knew about some of this this cause am interested in history and in the history community so am kinda required to know about this. Haven’t seen a big KZbinr cover the United fruit company so am excited to watch this especially from one of my favorite documentary KZbinrs. Edit: this was amazing and while I didn’t watch part 1 I still loved this, I learned a lot of things I never really knew about United fruit company and I didn’t even know they rebranded into Chiquita. Best video yet

[@bastianrivero]

bro, make a behind the scenes of magnates media please

[@mica8076]

Really intrigued by your videos. Thanks for your time and efforts!

[@kingjulian9300]

Thank you for the 10/10 content brother. We love your work!!

[@Cybfreak99]

This is the longest and most fascinating stories I have heard so far cause it's literally bananas😂 weird how monkeys aren't involved

[@GoldInPigs]

Bro just convinced me to watch an hour long video… on bananas

[@mbp5863]

This is the best! I also really enjoyed the video about Rockefeller and the one about Carnegie. Really cool.

[@user-TRUELEGEND]

The most insane business story EVER in you’re channel! Keep it up!!

[@shmuelkurinsky]

U should do a documentary on bill gates and his corruption

[@Schumanized]

This is why i watch your channel!!! My 14 year old daughter is here picking up her jaw!!! I'm from 🇵🇷 and we have a local 🍌business that supplies almost all the island. Also, you can get them in your back yard🤷🏽‍♂️😂.

[@adiakiyes6354]

Focusing on reading the subtitles not the video playing on the background makes you curious about the banana industry. Thank you John for this wonderful documentary.

[@s.harrison3699]

Absolutely fascinating! Your videos are top notch guys. Amazing work.

[@BimmerBros]

This story is bananas!😮

[@thomasmorrison3279]

Before this video my greatest fear of the banana was slipping on a peel. Outstanding content and story telling.

[@mitchellbobby3999]

This is one of your best videos, man. Completely worth it.

[@blight26gaming70]

This is a really good story. Video is well crafted, superb editing with well thought musical score. It is very engaging. Most of all, it contains lots of lessons. Thanks for this man. Keep it up!

[@SmoltingWassie]

We talking Lizzo in this or?

[@Legitti]

Glad I'm growing my own bananas

[@lidaryt1436]

well done just watched this and it was very good quality and I love the script and the way you are explaining this was very good I love your videos thank you for making them so good

[@Ci-D3]

Thank you, your videos always make me think.

[@BamBamSr]

There are many things about the US I am proud of, massive and far-reaching corporate greed is not one of them 😏

[@reprovedcandy]

Wow, just stumbled upon this gem of a video! 🌟 Whether you're here for the incredible content, the amazing editing, or the charming personality of the creator, one thing is for sure: we all appreciate the effort that went into making this masterpiece. 🙌 Let's show some love and support to the creator for their hard work! Double-tap that like button if you agree, and let's share this with our friends to spread the joy! 🎉💖

[@MarSol707]

I worked for Chiquita for 10 years, I live in Costa Rica, and I can see the bitter sweet turn of this, there a towns that not for United Fruit would not exist or have work sources or houses for that matter. An when going to Colombia well you kind of appreciate the payouts to keep all the operation out of touch... to me as I live here well ins not a black or white story is really complex but I appreciate that impartial way you told it.

[@user-tq6iq6bh6i]

John you are the real GOAT of business documentaries. UNMATCHED!

[@TurkeyTalkEmpire]

🍌this documentary is banana pants! 🍌🍌🍌🍌🍌🍌🍌🍌🍌🍌🍌🍌🍌

[@reed1458]

replace the thumbnail's blood with white and you get a whole seperate story

[@iliecristi5601]

I think this is the most interesting documentary you have done! Congrats man and keep it going!!!

[@shawnhasty7480]

I dont understand the low comments or likes. I loved both parts and feel you did a fantastic job. So glad i subscribed. Absolutely love your channel.