Questions: Britain's former colonies should stop blaming the Empire for their ills - IQ2 debates

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The debate "Britain's former colonies should stop blaming the Empire for their ills" took place at Cadogan Hall in London on 17th November 2011.
Event info:
The British Empire has a mixed legacy. On the plus side we brought railways, the rule of law and the English language, the world's lingua franca, to far-flung places. But it's also true that in the aftermath of WWII our rapid retreat from Empire was a bit too hasty: colonial administrators with little understanding of local history or culture created new countries by drawing lines on the map, ignoring the affiliations of religion, tribe or language.
So it's hardly surprising that our former colonies blame us for the subsequent wars and tensions that continue to this day in places such as Kashmir and parts of Africa. But isn't it all too easy for corrupt and unpopular leaders to use the Empire as a scapegoat for their failings? 60 years on, isn't it time for our former colonies to take responsibility for themselves? Who's right? Who's wrong? Come to the debate and decide for yourself.

[@sps6]

A robber looted a house.. When the house owner tried to capture him, he went to the police station to complain against the house owner.. this is present UK.

[@ethelmini]

The "robber" found a shack, rebuilt it, installed electricity and running water. Now the "house owner" is crying that he was hard done by and wants another handout

[@BhaiBhai-wz4nz]

@@ethelmini we paid by giving our life's n best of all is respect. Stop living in a dreamy world.

[@prasanaa80]

ethelmini Pls do not tell me that the British was so altruistic that they invaded India on a philanthropic urge to transform a shack to whatever when they left. India was the biggest cash cow, another jewel on the British crown as they use to call and the only single largest contributor which kept the empire propelling. India was a victim of depredation and loot by the British.

[@goodyeoman4534]

@@pikapika8918 we outlawed sati in India...

[@goodyeoman4534]

@@pikapika8918 My question is: how long are you going to use empire as a grievance for present day problems? Ten more years? A century? Forever?

[@korekucher8183]

Hahaha educated jokers dictating how we the ones who got colonised should feel about the fact that we were colonised.

[@jamesberlo4298]

Then you should revert to the way you were before and surrender every Technology , Devices , advancement (Medicine) and be enslaved by another third World Empire.

[@ivanthompson2406]

@@jamesberlo4298 In truth,.... those advances that you so readily want to attribute to the empirical colonialists were'nt in fact of their doing for most, if not all of those things, i.e. today's technology, devices medical advancements, scientific advancements and inventions and the basic knowledges that have led to the advancements,.... were the creations of the so called enslaved peoples, who although weren't able to gain the monetary value nor acknowledgments for what they devised and invented, nonetheless, they are the creators of those advancements. The main and probable only thing that those of the empirical colonialists who are now claiming the right to be accredited for the creation of those advancements are those who chose to steal and take credit for those advancements was those empires that lied, killed and stole and rewrote the history of the events that have led to things as they now stand.

[@ibuypower579]

James Berlo lol.. your technologies have caused the rise in depression and a growing levels of radiation exposures and your medicines are terrible.. pharmaceuticals yeah you can have it back.. I've stopped taking that rubbish a long time ago..

[@bendover6087]

Britain was colonised by the Romans why aren't we crying about it

[@yashovardhansingh4115]

@@bendover6087 Bro, you're telling us to be proud of the fact that we were colonized. Are you mentally okay?? Britsh massacred us, depleted our resources, added homophobic laws and much more.

[@muslimah871]

The colonisers dictating again how we should feel about having been colonised.....My colon has begun to hurt with all this nonsense!

[@yj9032]

Paul Judkins there were many empires in the past who have killed millions of people but in case of british Empire not only have they killed millions of people but also tried to erase history and tried to position themselves as a force of good and virtue. The hypocrisy is what is astounding here.

[@yj9032]

Paul Judkins kzbin.info/www/bejne/nGimiGqJZd-rrJY here you go

[@abdoyones1983]

@Paul Judkins kzbin.info/www/bejne/goa2f6J5rZabZq8&ab_channel=FreshCreps

[@Sp1kerPistol]

The fact of the matter is your countries were worse off before the colonization. And would probably be worse of today without colonization.

[@hazeshi6779]

The British used their colonies like piggie panks to exploit. And THEN after the old British empire took everything they wanted, they abandoned their former colonies to the third world. The colonies in Africa and India remember things. The British can not control the history anyone even if they can delude themselves and some Americans.

[@redtihor1]

Persians banned slavery & had freedom of speech. Marathas had a federal government & a Constitutional monarchy with the Prime Minister as head of Government. Ottomans weren't racists; the least Kipchak slave had the opportunity to become Pasha of Istanbul. And none of them ever used famine & disease as a weapon of war within their own territories. But I digress. I was stupid, I admit, to except anything else from you. After all, I am a mere brown-skinned barbaric child who ought to know better

[@madgeordie4469]

'Persians banned slavery & had freedom of speech'...er, no. The Achaemenid empire had slaves (but only certain levels of society were allowed to own them and freedom of speech did not extend to criticising the Shah or his nobles). The Marathas did have a Prime Minister but not in the accepted modern sense, the post holder being more of a Grand Vizier. Famine and disease have been used as weapons of war by just about every culture and military power throughout the whole of human history. The Ottomans were not racists (try telling that to anyone from Eastern Europe!) so it is OK that they had slaves? The colour of your skin is irrelevant but yes, you should know better, after all ignorance is colour blind.

[@fathimarafi2317]

The panel would have been phenomenal if we had Shashi Tharoor from India for against the motion. What we should realize is that the present generation of Britain is not taught their colonial history objectively rather they are being taught that it was becoz of them that their colonies progressed and that is utter nonsense.

[@fullmetalalchemist9126]

And you are taught it objectively

[@ZubairAhmed-od2xv]

AYUSH took one look at your name and instantly decided to disagree with you, typical.

[@harivishwanath3969]

These people lack the basic humanitarian approach . Once you say killings of thousands of innocent, converting people , looting then I don't see any point debating with them.

[@alexknight65]

You do realize that every empire in history has killed thousands, millions of people. Why do you people seem to think that it was only European powers. For example, the Mughals, Persians and the Arabs, and yes Africans, so the Asanti, Somali and Kongo kingdoms who were the ones selling slaves to Europe. Britain ended slavery.

[@MFYouTube683]

@@alexknight65 you can’t reason with the victimised. But other voices are starting to be heard. www.middleeasteye.net/big-story/blaming-west-not-enough-we-too-are-responsible-calamity

[@ashokafulcrum4795]

@Griffyn Makene go cry somewhere else. You aren't a Victim and if it wasn't for these twats you would still live in a backwater,...

[@Satyamev_Jayate100]

@@alexknight65 That's not true , British is one and only worst empire that killed millions in Africa and India. Not knowing about Africa but in India , it brought Slavery , Hunger and illetracy. It forced Indians two fight both the world wars. Made trains to loot the country and Exploitations , also Famines and left dividing Indian subcontinent into 520+ Princely States.

[@crazyhaydn2578]

@@Satyamev_Jayate100 omg 😂 You have been brainwashed 🤡🤡🤡

[@USMarineRifleman0311]

bwhaha Do you realize that the British re-drawing of the map of Africa, Afghanistan, Pakistan, India, Israel, Palestine....etc is one of the main reasons for the shit going on in those regions right now? South Africa? only after you wanted their high gold yield.

[@denverbritto5606]

Cpl. Gadway USMC those countries never even had constant borders, it was always gonna be a shitshow

[@denverbritto5606]

Also, do you think there wasn't shit going down before the British redrew their borders?

[@kstar4456]

Denver Britto splitting areas where the same tribes live caused a massive issue

[@Historyfan476AD]

Nothing stopping the people their from correcting the borders peacefully.

[@denverbritto5606]

@Paul Wember no, rule of law is one. of many thigs they were about. they also made india a less sexist country

[@markreynolds6220]

Tht fact tht this pannel even exists says alot about the British .

[@rickyoldtree]

As your spelling does about you sir..

[@xXdwebbXx]

@@AllRise87 Of? Our great small nation that managed to take the world in a time of war and empires?

[@bruh949]

Hmmm are you perhaps a overweight fat Yankee. Get back to McDonald’s

[@Cecilia-ky3uw]

in defense of the british give the ottomans european technology while europe was backwards and europe wouldve been raped to death considering what happened to constantinople

[@markreynolds6220]

@@bruh949 that's not an argument, next

[@terrymullins9772]

Commenters here, blaming Britains " colonisation" yet they live HERE !, how hypocrital can you get !

[@SeanConneryPimpShlap]

We deal with something similar in America. Certain groups cry endlessly about how terrible America supposedly is (despite receiving a massive amount of aid and affirmative action, etc.) but they never leave.

[@rishabhrox1]

They live their on their MERIT. No random Indian can go into Britain's borders, they have to be well-educated, well-skilled and have some merit which can be beneficial for Britain's economy in future. They DESERVE to live there and STILL call out Britain for their misdeeds in the past, because you don't deserve to live in the peace of looting a country for 200 years and then reaping off its benefits forever. You will get these questions, listen to them, feel the shame and regret of the heinous crimes your ancestors did, and THEN, move on and accept the Indians as your brothers and sisters, and work on building your future together as a cohesive space. DON'T try to act like Indians living their means they have forgiven/don't care about Britain's colonization, they live there because they have the right to, and till the time India undoes the bs that Britain left her into, Indians can and will live in Britain and enjoy the riches that ultimately, in part, came from their roots only. (As well as Africans!)

[@SirAntoniousBlock]

@@SeanConneryPimpShlap Well they have a right to complain it's as much their country as yours, you don't define what America is.

[@jonathonhamilton3889]

People who never owned slaves should never apologise to people who were never slaves.

[@Concerned_one]

No but they should acknowledge the fact that their ancestors were slave owners and not pretend that slavery was a good thing.

[@hunk9730]

Let you hv same mindset if you live next 30yrs you get know How karma doing its work silently, do you think your safe from karma 😂😂😂

[@Concerned_one]

@@PeacefulMeteorShower-th8fk you don’t speak for a lot of white people with an ancestry of slave owners. Bye bye

[@sadanandpoojari5811]

90% of problem related to poverty,communal voilence in India is because of British but still Britain should not be blame for it

[@goodyeoman4534]

piffle

[@dontplaysmartwithmedontjud7304]

@@goodyeoman4534 , Nipple😂😂😂😂

[@dontplaysmartwithmedontjud7304]

@@goodyeoman4534 , Boobs😂😂😂😂

[@mohankrishna9904]

Haha mad ur mad u don't know about history

[@mohankrishna9904]

If India is such penurious why u came then

[@RamakrishnanSRM]

According to these British people, the former colonies should stop "Blaming". But the British people won't stop being proud of their empire. What a stupid logic.

[@ihk2421]

No the British (me being one) never really think about it.

[@Cecilia-ky3uw]

why should they not be proud are the indonesians not proud of the majapahit empire or the turks proud of the ottomans or the muslim world proud of the caliphates or the russians of their empire or the persians of their empire

[@RamakrishnanSRM]

@@Cecilia-ky3uw British should not proud of their illegal colonies, massacres of more than 20 million people mainly in Indian subcontinent

[@Cecilia-ky3uw]

@@RamakrishnanSRM and indians should not be proud of a man who fought for the caste system and was a sex maniac

[@Cecilia-ky3uw]

@@RamakrishnanSRM not to mention indonesia and the majapahit empire

[@MFYouTube683]

10:40 👏🏻😂😂😂 This is a fantastic debate. 👍🏻

[@nikhilprem7998]

A law is only a law if its backed by a government, when we lose wars, technically we cannot complain. In other words, there is nothing wrong what has happened till now, because authority was removed through wars and we failed to defend at some point. Either way complaining does not do us any good, even if they give aid that's bad for us in the long run. 16:55

[@emmalottie3346]

Other European countries had colonies, but I only hear people blaming Britain, is that just because I only speak English? Was Britain worse than other colonising countries? Or are all of them being asked to take responsibility?

[@Sp1kerPistol]

The Arab slave trade was far worse than anything European empires did.

[@char08fal]

All of them are asked to take responsibility

[@samnicholson5051]

France gets plenty of blame.

[@danube466]

Look at the westernized Indians apologizing for Empire.... was thorns of empire to reform loyalists as advocates of its system

[@juniorblack8611]

Flourishing she said ???

[@THATREALBREW]

I bet they wouldnt have this debate now...smh

[@AG-JustYourAverageGuy]

It's a debate and so i respect all the views here BUT i do believe people should stop blaming the britishers now. Just think about it. Your grandfather was involved in war crimes in the past but People treat you and your family as scum because your grandfather was a criminal. Would that feel fair ? Now they should teach their people about the colonial history in school(which they don't). SINS AREN'T HEREDITARY.

[@rishabhrox1]

Sins aren't hereditary, but to completely not teach the sins to the future generations of the country is like; pretending that nothing ever happened, that Britain's conquest of India and its other colonies was something 'bound to happen' and they'd begin justifying these heinous acts. Colonization is a heinous act and we'll keep bringing it up to the current and even future generation Brits till their government issues an apology and till every white skinned Brit knows about the cruel misdeeds of their ancestors upon Indians and feels regret and shame for them. We want Britain to feel compassion for Indians and stop sassing them, throwing racist attacks at them and behave as if Indians were always in the condition they are today, disrespected and destitute. This HAPPENED because of them and they deserve to know and feel the shame for it...and then move on with their lives with more compassion for Indians living in their own country and help build Britain together as a multicultural country where EVERY culture is truly respected, and not just white people assuming that they're being kind to immigrants by giving them space. They need to get off their high horse ASAP.

[@breadbreaker500]

Indonesia not affected by the Dutch? How do you explain Papua?

[@BK-uf6qr]

We all have been descendants of empires. That’s a good point.

[@krazykanos98]

I'll agree the British Empire is at fault for a lot of the bad things that have transpired in many regions across the globe, but to suggest that the current UK is somehow at fault for the actions of those decades and decades ago is absurd. Nobody blames the current Germany for the atrocities committed during WW2. No one is asking them to pay reparations. To suggest the same for Britain is moronic, no reparations due. Just suck it up and work on improving TODAY instead of blaming everything on stuff which happened ages ago. smh this shouldn't even be a debate it's just common sense

[@TheBakuganmaster99]

But germany gave an official apology, which Britain refuses to till this day.

[@samnicholson5051]

Because the Germans already did pay reparations and acknowledged their crimes.

[@mayreacts8030]

Your Empire was build upon the back of Africans, Carribeans, Jewels of India, resources of many countries you stole . Your lives were built upon the wealth you inherited from us. Lol... What are heck are you talking about?

[@SirAntoniousBlock]

We're not blaming Britain we're laughing at it. 😂

[@MsNaiwen]

helped? Really? By colonizing them eh...? Like someone said: Hong Kong... Cuba, Africa and etc...

[@G96Saber]

Amusing you mention Hong Kong. A clue; it isn't such a nice place because of China.

[@goodyeoman4534]

colonisation was a good thing in some countries

[@marsspacex6065]

Those countries need to blame themselves for their terrible governments not the past

[@hazeshi6779]

Britain left their colonies to die once they had no more resources to exploit,

[@riyadougla539]

The British created the modern world as we know it. All empires have done good and bad. It's time to acknowledge the good things and move on.

[@hunk9730]

Ohh😂 moron brit 😂😂😂 Let us rule uk for 25yr and see will you rise back in how many years 😂😂😂

[@nickm5150]

Ah bless...the old fella towards the end has no idea what the debate was about 😂😂

[@jambarreturns9060]

At last, common sense prevails.

[@augustusichabod5122]

The first and most important point of the debate should be about African, Indian Diomond

[@JohnJohn-rz7tn]

First thing this debate should start with,a discussion about Britain returning stolen loot, that it currently holds in its possession, let’s start there first, then we can turn to Jamaica where the British committed heinous crimes against African people,suck the place dry and then leave the people with out nothing, in 1962 , when the British gave Jamaica its independence, 80% of the population were functional illiterate , the new government went into debt because ,they had to borrow money to build schools and housing for the population to bring them into the modern age , now these countries are stuck in debt.

[@kingbread5808]

Finally, we don’t get the blame

[@mayreacts8030]

Oh you are do blamed

[@sanjoog47]

@@mayreacts8030 cant even speak right, keep speaking your colonizers language tho

[@hazeshi6779]

Your island brutalized half the world! Of course people will hold grudges, and then abandoned those colonies once you took their resources and left them to die economically.

[@kingbread5808]

@@hazeshi6779and the other Indian and African empires didn’t brutalise their own people?

[@mohammadalaiyabassir569]

I'm a Filipino muslim. Many people now Are Anger and hatred in their heart because of the past of the colonizing of the different kingdom empire of Europe. I forgive and never forget what they have done to my country. So to this kind of thing as victim of their cruelty and hope they never repeat what they did for us. #Spread peace and love as A Humanity.

[@Satyamev_Jayate100]

You don't know anything , But God knows everything. He will decide the fate of the colonists. Maybe they have did nothing to your Country , but in India Atrocities , Discrimination , Genocide , Massacre , Famines have killed 20 million Peoples. Love from India.

[@peter-johndejong9880]

Former colonies are attributing all their current problems to colonialism, omitting the fact that most of their current problems are a consequence of their post colonial governments

[@TheBakuganmaster99]

Yes, not all their problems but some WERE because of the british.

[@doxasophosmoros]

You nailed it brother

[@tackytaco8133]

The house was on fire after it was ignited obviously.

[@achuthanbaburaj3796]

The empire isn't to blame for EVERYTHING but it caused many bad things. End of. There's a difference between colonising and taking and colonising and settling and developing.

[@denverbritto5606]

It also caused many good things.

[@TheBakuganmaster99]

@@denverbritto5606 Like what?

[@denverbritto5606]

@@TheBakuganmaster99To name a few: the spread of improved medical science and knowledge (e.g. vaccination), spread of other knowledge e.g. technological (from railways to industrial techniques like cotton mills), improved agricultural techniques (e.g. those developed by the IARI in India by using modern methods of scientific analysis or a ×30-fold increase in irrigated land), spread of liberal ideas (leading to increased rights for increased rights for individuals e.g. the beginning of Indian democracy via the founding of the Congress party by a British ex-civil service officer as well as the banning of backward practices such as female infanticide, witch-hunting and Sati).

[@TheBakuganmaster99]

@@denverbritto5606 The backward practices were not banned by the british. en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sati_(practice) First of all sati was not a ubiquitous practice. It was only in a few regions and the EIC initially encouraged the practice causing doubling of numbers. It was Ram mohan roy and william carey who pushed for an official ban. And stuff like female foeticide still happened after independance so they didn't do much, did they. And about science etc that can easily be accomplished through fair trade and acculturation. India was fairly wealthy at the time and known for its spices. You have no idea about the natural resources like timber, steel, precious minerals etc they stole from india. The colonies literally financed the world war with resources. The rail network was built for transport of extracted goods. After all, the EIC company came to us, we never invited them. They saw an opportunity and took advantage. Look at many rich nations today. Some countries in europe, the middle east, east asia etc. they were never colonized. The middle east got rich overnight due to oil and now they are modern advanced countries, atleast in terms of technology. No need for colonization to trade knowledge or technology. You have no idea about the amount of cultural exchange that took place in ancient india with greece, china etc all without colonization. British rule has corrupted indian culture and people don't know where to turn. And indology professors are still doing it.

[@TheBakuganmaster99]

@@denverbritto5606 Are you telling me that all countries which have railways, vaccination, technology, democracy were once british slaves?? Of course not.

[@shrikantdarade8998]

The formal colonies didn't invited you plunders. The reach heritage of East made ruin by imperial powers. For instance. Do some research about the Bengal famines in late 18th century.

[@sanjitdaniel4588]

Maybe you should take advantage of the colonizers and improve your English? Your grammar is awful.

[@kamalkumar7978]

@@sanjitdaniel4588 arey tmko angrez log apne sath nhi le gaye...

[@rishabhrox1]

@@sanjitdaniel4588 Maybe you should realize that it's the content that matters and not the language? Changing your surname to "Daniel" doesn't make you white, brownie....and turning against your own people (which will ALWAYS be Indian, you can NEVER remove your Indian tag no matter which country you go to, you'll always be an Indian-American, British-Indian, Indo-Australian etc.) so kindly don't sass us Mr. Sanjit, and have some self-love for the LOVE OF GOD.

[@lornabrathwaite8862]

No

[@mattpliska]

As an american I thank god every day we were colonized by the British instead of the spanish or other Europeans who disregarded the rule of law. Not all of Britain's ex colonies have had the same result, it left some injuries but always opportunities.

[@ihk2421]

Thank you:)

[@kingbread5808]

A very Humble American I had ever meant :)

[@mattpliska]

@@kingbread5808 i appreciate the compliment but in all honesty I am as proud of an American as it comes, I just know my history and am honest about it. Those who dislike the others across the pond always amazes and disappoints me. Never in history have two nations been so intertwined. God bless America and God bless the UK.

[@kingbread5808]

@@mattpliska Indeed. America wouldn’t be here without us. Long live the President! 🇺🇸💕🇬🇧

[@harinivasan9609]

I wonder how many native americana share that opinion..... You know, they were the original inhabitants.

[@Astralwolf23]

@retihor1 in addition to your comment you don't see English people demanding the french for reparations and such from 1066 haha. I do not see any of the colonies the British once had as sub human, maybe people did then but that was a European idea . This obviously differs and I think your anger is misplaced, even a white `commoner` as myself has to go through lengths to get what he wants and always has. Haha 20 years? threat or not the context is curious. We should all sit and drink.

[@76reliant]

What have the romans ever done for us----monty python comes to mind....

[@SirAntoniousBlock]

Err you do realise that was satire?

[@shakkamusa2366]

I blame no one because the empires have all fallen and are awaiting their final judgment, which won't be long. What's going on in Africa today, has a lot to do with corruption and colonial mindset, which the people themselves must fix.

[@hazeshi6779]

I agree that corruption is the major problem right now in Africa, but when countries were forcibly colonised by Britain, where do you think all the gold and diamonds went? Britain fucked the colonies brains out and exploited them. They were the cash cow or bread basket of the empire.

[@hunk9730]

What about usa Europe still want to control it who giving weapons Africa not, manufacturing any of those 😂😂😂

[@newsmailextra4793]

That is what you want bug what abot people who are still sufferj g

[@timothyfoster4447]

Colony is conquer

[@randominfamousinternetuser8621]

I as an Indian I would always remember the all trauma the people in colonism faced...

[@nikhilprem7998]

A law is only a law if its backed by a government, when we lose wars, technically we cannot complain. In other words, there is nothing wrong what has happened till now, because authority was removed through wars and we failed to defend at some point. Either way complaining does not do us any good, even if they give aid that's bad for us in the long run.

[@Concerned_one]

@@nikhilprem7998 when a nation loses a war it still retains the right to be not treated as subhumans and like garbage. Just because Britain has colonized a major portion of the world doesn’t mean they can commit genocide through famines and exploitation. People have the right to complain and fight their tyrannical rulers.

[@sushrutdeshmukh7564]

@@nikhilprem7998 but only if they had won fairly through war. They came as traders and did not make their true intentions known until they knew they had enough war machinery mobilized to make sure they win in case a war was to break out. This is a premeditated sleight of hand, and unfair approach to victory.

[@neinno8172]

@@vatsal7640 Not in the same sense at all. If you mean when the pagan norse settled and replaces the celts, it was definetely brutal. There are no real descendants left of them to cry. If you mean the Normans, they replaced the nobility and influenced English culture with aspects of French and gradually became English themself. Life for a peasant anglo-saxon did not change in any detrimental, national sense. When Britain invaded and ruled India. The people and the land there were deliberately exploited to the benefit of the British, insurrection of any kind to change such reality was met with brutality, and in some cases massacre(Jallianwala). How is the current Indian government to blame for this? It is not. The British Empire left a legacy of exploitation and death, these sins did not evaporate the moment India gained its independence, and the scars of such treatment remain in many of its former colonies today. No one is saying a country can be perfect, that is impossible, but it does not mean we can excuse there wrongdoings. Or would you agree Jewish people shouldn't cry over the holocaust because Nazi Germany wasn't perfect? It is faulty logic.

[@andrewwilliams3137]

@@Concerned_one Changes were sure to happen when India came in contact with the industrial revolution. For example it was cheaper for India to import iron & steel than make it itself. One of the biggest British exports to India alongside the railway engines was iron and steel, and due to production with economy of scale this was at prices the Indian market could not match. Here lies an example of 'deindustrialisation' in the C19th century. An extensive rural Indian smelting industry based on small scale charcoal pits became obsolete and was lost, but "the net effect of imported iron was not negative. It stimulated consumption and indirectly helped the blacksmith. In the nineteenth century, Indians consumed iron in greater quantity and variety than before". TIrthanker Roy However Britain created an Indian coal industry from nothing, a valuable natural resource for India. Without coal India could not have a modern steel industry. Tata Steel was founded by Indians in 1907 and is now one of the largest steel companies in the world.

[@123Helterskelter123]

@muslimah871 no were just saying its time for you to take responsibility, we dont blame the normans

[@lifeisacelebration.79]

We will blame yo

[@redtihor1]

Agreed. Such things are impossible.After all, I doubt Kaiser Wilhelm would've agreed to the Treaty of Versailles if not for WW1. The events I described happened a mere 60 years ago & devastated families for decades. Apparently this makes us foul sub-humans. Thank you for your opinion. It just reinforces my views about what Indians-or for that matter, all 'sub-humans' must do to get justice. You're correct-We do owe your nation something. We'll deliver it in 20 years. You'll be repaid- in full.

[@nobs5669]

To Brits - Have the courage to acknowledge your past. Let it sink. The first word that would come out then is sorry. At least your current generation wouldn't be a cowardly one. Reading the event info, I did not watch the video. The plus side of British Empire would have been achieved by the colonies anyways if British did not suck the life out of these colonies.

[@hazeshi6779]

Agree completely, Britain showed that colonies are easier to exploit and then abandoned to dictators once they're sucked dry of resources and people to exploit and steal.

[@samd6644]

Biased one sided audience

[@Satyamev_Jayate100]

Yes!!

[@767scarecrow]

Bunch of old pricks.

[@helpiamstuckonthismanshead3385]

That doesn't mean what they say is wrong

[@kevinodom2918]

Could you imagine America blaming Britain for why America failed? Oh yeah, we didn’t. This excuse sounds regoddamndiculous.

[@kingbread5808]

The reason why Former British colonies blame us cuz it’s easy. We ruled them so it’s easy to blame us because we had ruled them and we made the rules

[@hazeshi6779]

Why did you conquer us? You no longer care about your former colonies so piss off. We are allowed to he angry at at being exploited and abandoned.

[@SirAntoniousBlock]

America and Australia didn't fail because they learned genocide and dispossession so well from the British.

[@goodyeoman4534]

Britain was colonised by the Romans, invaded by the Vikings, and suffered genocide by the Normans. But we don't bleat on about it. Successful nations do not cry about the past.

[@nelsonseaman3556]

YOU ARE THAT ROMAN VIKING AND NORMAN. ITS UP TO YOUR HEADACHE WHETHER AS TO ASK REPARATIONS OR NOT FROM THEM. BTW WHEN ARE YOU GIVING BACK KOHINOOR AND ALL OTHER ARTIFACTS YOU STOLE FROM INDIA???????

[@goodyeoman4534]

@@nelsonseaman3556 Why are you ranting? Make concise points, please. When are *you* going to stop moaning like a girl and accept the world doesn't owe you anything?

[@nelsonseaman3556]

@@goodyeoman4534 As a matter of fact Indians don't have any global interests. Its the western world that has its global interests. Its not the world that owes anything to India but Britain. Its the Britain that owes every thing to India from chicken tikka masala to Kohinoor. Why don't you stop ranting and moaning???????????? period

[@goodyeoman4534]

@@nelsonseaman3556 we 'owe' India for chicken tikka? haha, you sound like a right barrel of laughs. i will name you 'Mr Tikka'. nobody is ranting except you, cupcake. I guess you can't tolerate differing viewpoints. a common trait in bitter and insecure people. why the spasm of question marks? unable to articulate yourself through regular prose? Also, ending your outburst with a menstrual joke is in poor taste... i await your devastating riposte...

[@nelsonseaman3556]

@@goodyeoman4534 This is all what you've got for your case? Tell if there is more to it. Why not chicken tikka is not British. Like your English it's borrowed from some body else. I know English borrows words from all languages more than any thing else. I know its you who is ranting.

[@timothyfoster4447]

Go tan

[@markreynolds6220]

I could be wrong but im sure th Germany and japan had a debt reset after ww2, tht could of helpd a bit.

[@markreynolds6220]

Ok so whts tht gt 2 do with wht i said?

[@nelsonseaman3556]

How about reparations to Iran and Iraq by you both USA and UK the colonial thieves.

[@markreynolds6220]

@@nelsonseaman3556 how about a big think u since we provided those little despots with the technology and the markets so thy could become richer the beyond their wildest dreams, your welcome. Nxt

[@neddyladdy]

"What is to be gained from blaming empire" . The answer is obvious isn't it? Don't all previous colonies love bagging the poms? cheers

[@jmlaw8888]

I as a proud Englishman would like to say to all our former colonies: I forgive you. I forgive you for your pathetic lies to cover your own inadequacies and hope you can one day join us as a people who look at their past as a conquered nation not with weakness and insecurity but with fascination at a major event in your nations history. We dont piss and whine about the Normans or the Romans. Try joining us one day. In the meantime stop making up lies and exaggerating to support your own pathetic victim narratives. The British Empire was the most humane Empire in history. Fact. End of discussion.

[@hunk9730]

Don't worry, we never allow you to live in uk let immigrants become majority 😂😂😂😂

[@hunk9730]

Read non British books if you want know true history Don't forget intention that everyone has will manifest one day 😂😂😂 Karma never lose address ಈ may be late but surely it will take revange😂 in different way

[@jmlaw8888]

@@hunk9730 Karma doesnt take "revenge" moron and even if it did I wouldnt worry as it doesnt exist. Just the pathetic delusions of weak cultures that whine and cry about being victims. I dont read "British books" anyway. I just instinctually am able to recognize abject stupidity and weakness and it disgusts me. Because of our technological advances weve allowed lesser people to spread around the world and its to the worlds detriment.

[@andrewwilliams3137]

@@hunk9730 India benefitted from British trade and investment, and from industrialisation of it's economy. An industrial revolution created the modern world, trade and colonialism spread it around the globe. Under the British an increase in Indian population also occurred with an increase of GDP per capita. And "between 1860 and 1940 employment in factories increased from less than 100,000 to two million. The share of factories in industrial employment of British India increased from almost zero in 1850 to 11% in 1938, and in industrial income from 15% in 1900 to 45% in 1947...The growth is impressive by any standard". Source: Tirthankar Roy, Professor of Economic History, born and educated in India.

[@hunk9730]

@@andrewwilliams3137 1000x violence happened a'd it your know about economy go read india economy before and after British rule, you get your answer don't shout some nonsense

[@miriambamford6513]

Absolutely. And as a Britisher, I apologise personally on our forefathers' lack of future sights in British Empire's way of bordering places they don't even visited even once. Not in defence, but the fact is, Britishers had military armour guns by the 1800s and wore suits almost a 1000 years ago. If this power was had by any other race like the Chinese, Japanese, Russians, Indians, etc. before the Britishers. History would still be the same. The only difference would be the race of the imperials and the subjects. After all, humans are social animals too and survival of the fittest had been and will always be in human's idk whatever. Urban cities like London, Paris, Seoul, Tokyo, and New York are just great looking jungles. Great video👍.

[@SirAntoniousBlock]

The British didn't exist 1,000 years ago, the English had armour but it didn't do them much good they were still smashed by the Normans.

[@gumnaamaadmi007]

Going back to Shashi Tharoor's speech, even the word 'loot' was looted by britain. No wonder britain is a 4th-rate semi-regional power today. Karma will come for you people soon enough.

[@newsmailextra4793]

I cant beleive yhey are having this febate shameless

[@chandruae]

10:15 - 11:03. That girl is gorgeous!

[@TheAArmstrong]

Yer the scarf got me really hard!!

[@dukedematteo1995]

The British Empire by say 1870 was a force for good and a force for prosperity & liberal values (for the time). Blaming everything on past colonialism is often a bigotry of low expectations arguement.

[@tyroneniggums2020]

AAHAHAHAHAAHAAHAHAHAHAAAH, threewords to break all of your deluions.. The Middle East.

[@freeplex589]

@@tyroneniggums2020 stop talking crap

[@dukedematteo1995]

@@vinay249 the concept of India didnt really exsist back then but ill bite.....Do you mean the British physically killed millions of them or are u blaming the Brits for every famine, & disease outbreak, on the sub continent since 1600?

[@freeplex589]

@@vinay249 British empire helped modernise india

[@samnicholson5051]

Boer Concentration camps were a force for good?

[@beyondinfinite275]

We know you will fall and will be there to enjoy that.

[@xXdwebbXx]

It looks likely but hopefully not, for the sake of everyone.

[@auberginemanproductions1608]

You'd enjoy it until there was an imbalance in the UN veto system. Then Russia and China would have freedom to do whatever they like, which includes invading countries such as India

[@akshitkumar9402]

@@auberginemanproductions1608 you seem to undermine the Indian military power, we have the second largest ground force in the world and a billion people to call in for reserves. It wont be too easy for any nation to invade India especially when we possess hundreds of nukes as opposed to the tiny island of yours, which is no longer a part of the EU even. Also, India recently passed you guys in GDP so yeah, shut up.

[@timothyfoster4447]

Killers

[@brianfinnegan9700]

I'm Irish Catholic, obviously empire has a lot of downsides but a lot of benefits too

[@SirAntoniousBlock]

What benefits? Ireland is only at last recovered from being a colony and is doing great now that the the reliance on the UK has been removed.

[@nithinpavithran6509]

Thieves

[@mayreacts8030]

Your Empire was build upon the back of Africans, Carribeans, Jewels of India, resources of many countries you stole . Your lives were built upon the wealth you inherited from us. Lol... What are heck are you talking about?

[@sinodnol]

stay mad

[@hunk9730]

​@@sinodnolno we are invading uk legally, let immigrants become majority You cannot stop immigrants and brits most of them not having child and immigrants having 2/3 child 😂😂😂 Let 30 Yrs every will be OK I tell all countries dont complaints act where you get chance destroy brits existinct white brits 😂😂😂 that only solution 😂😂😂😂😂

[@andrewwilliams3137]

Changes were sure to happen when India came in contact with the industrial revolution. For example it was cheaper for India to import iron & steel than make it itself. One of the biggest British exports to India alongside the railway engines was iron and steel, and due to production with economy of scale this was at prices the Indian market could not match. Here lies an example of 'deindustrialisation' in the C19th century. An extensive rural Indian smelting industry based on small scale charcoal pits became obsolete and was lost, but "the net effect of imported iron was not negative. It stimulated consumption and indirectly helped the blacksmith. In the nineteenth century, Indians consumed iron in greater quantity and variety than before". T. Roy Britain created an Indian coal industry from nothing, a valuable natural resource for India. Without coal India could not have a modern steel industry. Tata Steel was founded by Indians in 1907 and is now one of the largest steel companies in the world.

[@ronaldschultenover8137]

The natives welcomed the Europeans everywhere so we should learn things from that about immigrants

[@jenithjohn3248]

Shashi Tharoor would have crushed this debate

[@TheBritishEmpie]

@51wins i agree with u mate 100%! we took care of our colonies and as soon as we left it all went south for them. im proud of my country and its history! Rule Britannia!!

[@Wanamaker1946]

Becoming a British Colony was an initiation into the World Family. No bitching allowed. To bad it’s not still up and running.

[@KarthikVijapurapu]

Wow. Initiating one of the oldest living civilization into the world? The level of your delusion is astounding.

[@randomworld80]

We knew you people existed before you even spotted us. Learn your archeology well

[@tempest4567]

This is such a hilarious debate. Colonies mean regions that were colonized, i.e. these regions were completely transformed economically and politically. Let's look at India for example. Most of the investment went into convents(i.e Christian Schools) where most locals didn't have an equal opportunity or say. These were the areas that were developed and became trading zones through which a lot of commerce took place and still does. This increased division between and exacerbated the political and economic rifts in these areas which have a lasting and compounding effect on how it impacts people. Not to mention the productivity to people was moved to the upper class, much like it is today with lower interest rates and no real means to develop savings, which worsens the situation for the average worker as it completely undercuts the worker for the man sitting on the throne with the largest share of the institution. India+China, the Middle East and Europe had cordial ties for the longest period of time before the advent of monotheism that aimed to wipe out any personal opinion for the general good and this heralded a period which pit people as us against them. Regions that were autonomous and had healthy programs for local growth and knowledge were now replaced by a monolithic system to serve a few. Instead of freedom of ideas and expression, colonial powers tried to suppress it to maintain a facade of pomp and pride and look at where it's left modern Britain today, a whole generation of young people who are so incredibly shameful of the actions of the forefathers in an increasingly diverse and open world.

[@hunk9730]

I want ask all British, if they believe their empire is not responsible, let us rule uk for just 25 yrs after words show how you grow back 😂😂😂 Let us see just 25yrs 😂😂😂 will able to endure it or not😂😂😂😂😂

[@janemler5798]

The colonialism was a blessing to the world. For many, instant advance from stone age to the modern age.

[@hazeshi6779]

No, those countries never asked to be invaded and exploited. And Britain doesn't own all modern technology. If anyone, that would be the US.

[@Historyfan476AD]

Rule Britannia.