Why Did Britain Refuse to Annex Malta? (Short Animated Documentary)

In 1955 the Maltese government asked to be incorporated into the United Kingdom as its fifth constituent nation. As you'll be aware, that never happened and Britain refused to annex the Mediterranean island. But why? Well, find out by watching this short and simple animated documentary.
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[@chronikhiles]

Ah, yes, The United Kingdom of Great Britain, Northern Ireland, and Malta. Another world.

[@slewone4905]

after the Brexit vote. Malta: we want independence.

[@hendrikdependrik1891]

Just like the United States of America and Italy?

[@DISTurbedwaffle918]

I'm fairly certain Malta was once part of the Norman/Angevin Empire, so the UK does at least have a distant claim to the territory.

[@TheMightyKinkle]

If only it were true

[@hanselsihotang]

Makes me wonder how would they integrate the Maltese Cross into the GB national flag in this alternate scenario. Or maybe they'd be treated like Wales and got no flag representation

[@olivercook4950]

I'm living in Malta, as a Brit, in 2020. Our building has 4 apartments. There's a Canadian on the ground floor, us Brits on the 1st floor, Maltese on the 2nd floor, and Australians on the 3rd floor. Annexed or not, we're still one big happy Commonwealth family :-)

[@Real_Tower_Pizza]

Hello bri'ish person

[@azh698]

Empire goals?

[@adamhastie8439]

@@Real_Tower_Pizza excuse me mate

[@Real_Tower_Pizza]

@@adamhastie8439 Me: Wanna come over? My parents aren't home. You: no Me: bUt i gOt sPiCeS aNd tEa

[@thedetective3477]

@@Real_Tower_Pizza You’re an exceptionally odd person.

[@Bille994]

Can you imagine the tourism economy of Malta if it was literally part of the UK? I'd be tempted to say that the vast majority of the islands would end up being purely made up of holiday rentals and resorts for the inevitable tens upon tens of millions of 'fellow' Brits who would travel down to the southernmost British country every year

[@TheJeremyHolloway]

I realize this is one year after you posted but post-Brexit, it would definitely mean more Brits heading to Malta instead of Spain so that money would remain in the UK and not flow out to an EU "member state". With Malta never having been an independent member of the EU under this scenario. But hey, there's still time for a Maltexit....

[@claudiusflavius2493]

Malta is just a rock. with no nature or real beaches I doubt it would fit that interest

[@emib6599]

About nation with deep ties with UK 🇬🇧 that are in EU 🇪🇺 surveys says 68% would vote remain in Malta 🇲🇹 , with Ireland 🇮🇪 88% remain, Denmark 🇩🇰 66% Belgium 🇧🇪 82% Netherlands 🇳🇱82% ... The best friend of UK have chosen that they like both relationships, and it's better to not force to chose only one of them if you risk to not like the choice

[@TJStellmach]

@@claudiusflavius2493 And yet, tourism is one of Malta's prominent industries as it is (pre-pandemic, anyway). 2 million tourists in 2019, with tourism being over 10% of the county's GDP. So, maybe you were thinking of a different Malta.

[@ilcondottierocartografo6770]

@@TJStellmach It's still a rock, well, not anymore, now it's just a block of concrete

[@Nikki-tx6kh]

To have a friendly country who might give us points on Eurovision. God knows we need them.

[@annelliot1396]

hello from 2021😂😭

[@dropit7694]

Lmao not even literal colonies who favour the direct rule would vote for the Uk

[@Mr.NiceUK]

Yeah, I still remember the good old days where we could at least rely on decent points from Malta & Ireland 😢

[@daco3557]

You just need better songs

[@zackfenech533]

@@Mr.NiceUK Scandinavia and romania relay on us now😐

[@personaronthegreat1399]

And today History Matters presence another episode of questions nobody asked yet is actually really interesting.

[@dailysandwich4838]

Nah i actually thought this ever since i went there for vacation

[@moosesandmeese969]

He answers the questions that we didn't even know we had

[@christmascactus1882]

Frankly because the general interest in history online is super one dimentional. If a history channel were to go by the questions people wander about every video would be Great Man X, War Y over and over and over and over.

[@european-one]

@@dailysandwich4838 there's a lot of good museum there which discuss the issue. One thing they wanted Britain to guarantee is that the naval industry would be maintained at it's current level in Malta, since that was the biggest employer on the island. All the main political parties backed union, but switched to independence when Britain refused to make those commitments

[@succhiatoredelcazzo4689]

@@european-one Wrong, union with Britain meant possible anglicisation which many Maltese feared would mean Malta would be turned protestant which terrified the Maltese, leading to the nationalist party and the Church rivalling Mintoff and boycotting his party.

[@corporalzeph2518]

Imagine being too complicated for the UK to be annexed

[@litewave11]

What this video leaves out is that the Maltese were treated as slaves and wanted integration to get equality. The referendum was about this. However, the UK until the end never agreed on full equality. Hence, Mintoff gave up on the hope that the British could ever treat the Maltese as equals, and joined the Nationalists and the church in demanding independence.

[@cikkuujien2]

@@litewave11 Lol sure

[@FifinatorKlon]

@@litewave11 citation needed

[@ggoddkkiller1342]

You meant too poor i guess 😂😂

[@andreacardona964]

Maltese people were treated as 2nd class citizens under the British. Wages were low, and then even lower than the English in Malta. They were highly taxed. There were Maltese people who were still living in caves under British colonialism. any fragment of possible Maltese culture or Maltese identity was immediately eradicated by the British. It's why for example the British allowed the Maltese language to be taught in schools for the sole reason to remove Italian from schools and remove any sort of Mediterranean/Italian identity/connection that Malta had, but at the same time the British treated anyone who spoke Maltese (which was all Maltese people) as peasants with no means to have any form of better life socially or financially. English governors in Malta used to publicly say to Maltese citizens that they can never be treated on the same social level as the English. Maltese people till this day still have the colonial mentality and an alarming amount of Maltese people love the British cause they think that life in Malta under the British was a positive chapter in our history when in fact was a negative one. Pure definition of Stockholm syndrome. These people should genuinely fuck off or pick up a Maltese history book and actually learn about their country's history.

[@isaacscerri9696]

I'm Maltese and I am surprised and amused when my country is mentioned, so thank you for this video explaining why we weren't annexed. Maltese history is interesting if anyone wants to read about our little Island please do you are welcome and hope you enjoy.

[@GB-gi9by]

From England and consider Malta to be in the top 3 countries Iv ever visited. If I ever bag a lotto win I want an apartment in Valletta.

[@cameramao2716]

I personally am facsinated of the siege of malta during ww2 and how the only aircraft were gladiator 2s and the island still held out until the rn relieved them and got a king george cross and how that medal is in the top left of the flag.

[@soralink411]

The Maltese language is what fascinates me the most. An Arabic language spoken mostly by people of Italian ethnic origin and a huge Italian language influence. A strange corrosives of languages given Italian and Arabic are not if in the same primary lanaguge family as Italian is indo-European and Arabic is afroasiatic

[@U9DATE]

You are my favourite snack, a malteaser

[@ninab.4540]

It's so dumb this isn't part of the ciruculum for primary school. You can skip history because....political bias?

[@Cdr_Mansfield_Cumming]

If Malta was part of the UK now, it would get at least 5 million of the 60 million med holidays taken by British people every year. They could always ask again! I love Malta, fantastic place full of history and lovely people.

[@dontbothermeimjust12]

But then they'd have to leave the EU, and they're not into that

[@ryan-tc3rk]

@@dontbothermeimjust12 Debatable as an oversea's territory they wouldn't be allowed into the EU

[@IfStatementCoding]

its enough that we are getting more than our whole pop of british holidayers

[@RedXlV]

@@ryan-tc3rk The difference is that Malta is in Europe. If, for example, French Guiana declared indepence, they wouldn't be able to join the EU because they're not European. Had Malta been annexed by the UK and then later split from the UK, they'd be eligible for EU membership. No different from how Scotland would be allowed to apply to the EU after they secede from the UK.

[@timboyle5424]

@@ryan-tc3rk Don’t understand your point. 1. Malta is a member of the EU. 2. As part of the UK it wouldn’t be (now). 3. No-one is discussing overseas territories.

[@cursedex3755]

*Reads the title* *Drops tea* Impossible

[@nashnn7583]

lol Best Comment Ever

[@unoriginal_username1]

A true man of culture

[@sviatoslavs.1305]

Like, how it can be even possible? Total nonsense.

[@Valencetheshireman927]

The Hawaii of Britain is called Gibraltar.

[@kyloren3248]

Lmao

[@masterimbecile]

It happened because James Bizanette, who is a man of culture, was spinning 3 plates while making oink oink sounds.

[@raptorfromthe6ix833]

u forgot party byko

[@etherwing]

Is he?

[@NewNicator]

I’m still awaiting on someone with the username Chris P. Bacon

[@Ar-pz4cp]

How about David Archaeologist

[@jacintovski]

He was joined by James Castanheira and Aaron the White as well

[@louispetitjean1652]

so basically Britain started playing tall rather than wide.

[@someguy3766]

Haha, that's pretty much it, yeah. xD

[@s.g.3898]

British imperialism in Stellaris lol

[@samwinchester1326]

Many paradox players at this channel

[@crowbar9566]

That must bean american phrase Brits dont get

[@qwefhj3011]

@@samwinchester1326 I wonder why xD

[@mrcaboosevg6089]

Imagine Malta being a part of the UK, it'd be the party capital of the med

[@looper35uk]

Still can be if Spain don't let us back in for our summer holidays this year :)

[@redwine2664]

or the toilet which it has become. Throw in a bit of the old Krays Brothers and JM and the Castile gang!

[@Chipoo88]

Never mind the rich history and culture.

[@gremlinonthewing..5477]

Hell with Spain boy and girls it’s party time in Malta :)

[@gremlinonthewing..5477]

Finlay MacArthur I went last year I went to a few bars and was talking to a lot of Maltese men and women they said every year it’s less and less brits that come it’s almost all Italians and Germans

[@JasonDykstraMT]

When he mentions your home country. This is a pretty unknown period in Maltese history, the period between 1945-1990 are extremely interesting and not well known about by many outsiders, so it's nice to see a KZbinr cover it.

[@JPL454]

But honestly I don't know any Maltese history (blame my school)

[@friendlycreature6375]

@@JPL454 It has a very interesting history, most of it mixed between Muslims and Christian empires

[@Me1le]

I would argue Maltese history post 1990 is pretty obscure in most parts of the world as well.

[@thetrist333]

I got a question tho: would 2020 malta agree to join the uk ?

[@dewberry_2716]

@@thetrist333 bruh I don't think 2020 UK would want to join the UK we are an absolute shit show Sincerely, a discontent British/Englishman

[@damianrodriguez7165]

Malta: Annex me The United kingdom: Su- Economy *Dies*

[@Grampa_Swood]

Dont you mean economy *thud*

[@capncake8837]

Grampa Swood Economy: *Thuds.*

[@erikthomsen4768]

"We were this close to greatness."

[@georgebronte840]

Doing exceptionally well for the last couple of decades thank you very much.

[@dee4024]

@@georgebronte840 were going to be back pressuring the top 3 countries soon we already have the world's best special forces group the SAS who trains US marines and One of the Best Navy's and Army's Including our new 5 Billion Aircraft Carrier which will be done in a few years how can people say we ain't the most powerful country to ever exist we have invaded 90% of country's including USA and all Americans talk like their better but they have never won a war without our help they may have a strong army but their clueless when it comes down to planning tactics they need our help in every conflict to guide them to victory and now we have finally sacked the eu off and we are now finally trading with our old colonies again which will boost our economy massively why meanwhile America's in shit load of debt because and their economy's dropped so they can talk all they want but they don't even come near to what we have acomplished in our time even tho we are like 10 times smaller and they can't even decide how to fight a virus most other countrys have now came on top of it including the UK I wouldn't trust America to flush my toilet without blowing up my house and blaming the middle east their all talk mate but when it comes to actually backing their talk their like a 6 month old child look what happened in Vietnam ignore them

[@davidborg5324]

Greetings from Malta 🇲🇹 Thank you for this interesting video! I'm glad to see a KZbinr taking interest in our political history. Another important factor not mentioned in this video is the Roman Catholic Church in Malta very much opposed total integration to Great Britain since they knew that Protestantism would increase and they'd lose their influential power. This drove them to come up with the 'interdiction', meaning people who vote in favour of integration could not receive the Sacraments, i.e. you could not receive absolution, could not receive Communion and if you died you be buried in unhallowed ground. Essentially meaning you'd go to hell. This drove many people to vote 'no' to integration or abstain from voting, meaning the referendum result had to be declared invalid.

[@mikemike5272]

Ohh, is it ?

[@zackfenech533]

@@mikemike5272 yessir

[@Boretheory]

I mean the Protestants did try to burn the papacy just 20 yrs before that with Smitler

[@ilcondottierocartografo6770]

Because Protestantism is a shit religion

[@ninab.4540]

Yes, thank you! They're losing power since the civil union, divorce and gay rights introductions. They're clinging onto euthanasia and abortion bans to this day.

[@JC-cb4xg]

Malta: Annex me please UK:why you gotta take the fun out of it?

[@qfox16789]

Because James Bizanet didn’t live there

[@qfox16789]

Last time i swear

[@evvec1490]

@CharlyTDM07 Lol

[@pachacutiincayupanqui2239]

Can someone please explain this joke ?

[@geograficmanodm1408]

He lives with James Castañeda

[@Zantides]

@@pachacutiincayupanqui2239 At the end of every video the first thing we've heard for 2 years is James Bizanet lol

[@pachacutiincayupanqui2239]

New episode of :" Questions you never thought about before , but actually find interesting"

[@air9music]

I love these episodes about nations being unwillingly independent. The Singapore one was very cool too.

[@stephenfarrugia2737]

The British and the Maltese got on together very well, till this day it is so.Anyone for a beer ?(Cisk lager)

[@sdavis1123]

Really underrated place to visit. My wife and I went and Valletta is amazing and all the other islands are easy to get to and their forts and churches are beautiful. Worth the trip!!

[@Igxana]

Malta: Lets be apart of the UK and let them annex us, they will definitely say yes UK: no

[@succhiatoredelcazzo4689]

What this video leaves out however is that the referendum to join the United Kingdom was boycotted by those who were against it, and there was a low turnout. The church also massively opposed Mintoff's decision which played a key role since Malta was VERY religious

[@kingofrivia1248]

Crazy right😂😂

[@peanutbutterygoodness8455]

Boycotting a vote is an excuse and they likely knew it. If they win the referendum then good, they win. If they lose then they can pretend like everyone who didn't vote for it wanted to stay. The vote to stay independent lost by 47,430 votes. 62,440 didn't vote but were eligible so it's certainly possible they all wanted to stay, but the fact is that not everyone votes. The election the year prior saw 81.2% turnout. Presumably about 20% of the nation's voting population didn't care enough to vote for an election, so I'm not sure if they would care for a referendum. Assuming that the referendum instead got the same turnout as the general election, and that every single new vote was for staying, then the vote still would have passed the same, but with the more narrow margin of 54.6% in favor of joining the uk, and 45.4 against. In order for the against vote to win they required another 31.04% of the vote, or a total turnout of 90.14%. Possible, but this is also assuming that every single non voter wanted independence.

[@comradekenobi6908]

Malta = _Surprise Maltese face_

[@isaacmoraesdornelasdesouza3314]

Maltese Melon the people who were against it were very stupid. Why boycott something that you can vote for or against.

[@InvictusMartin]

so one reason was: they didn't want other colonies voting to join the UK.

[@axelpatrickb.pingol3228]

Interesting situation. France at the same time was desperate wanting to preserve as much of the colonies as possible while Britain did the opposite...

[@Damo2690]

@@axelpatrickb.pingol3228 Yeah, the UK, unlike France, Portugal and Holland actually gave up it's colonies. They saw which way the world was turning and went willingly rather than kicking and screaming

[@deekswap695]

I mean, that's kind of a definition of a colony

[@Valencetheshireman927]

The UK could have converted into a federation to keep the colonies it actually wanted .

[@axelpatrickb.pingol3228]

@@Valencetheshireman927 France tried that... twice and still failed to keep its remaining colonies...

[@CrackaPackify]

Malta is a country I love and have been to quite a lot and I never knew this. This channel is class

[@malteseowl]

Third Class ?

[@JeSuisRene]

If Malta had been annexed into the United Kingdom, then the United Kingdom may have won the Eurovision in 1993.

[@icecoldpolitics8890]

Bruh why did this sound like Puerto Rico’s situation

[@axelpatrickb.pingol3228]

At least Puerto Rico is understandable: nobody likes to give any party a possible electoral ally...

[@brandonlyon730]

The people in general are pretty mixed about it. Some want to become a proper member of the U.S for political representation and other benefits, some prefer the benefits of remaining as a territory (No income taxes for one thing), even some like the idea of independence.

[@TheBayzent]

@Bangbabangbabangbang So was Malta, but we aren't talking about it 9000 years ago, we are talking about them from WW2 to today.

[@markmaki4460]

You done beat me to it...

[@khukri_wielderxxx1962]

Main Difference: We kept Puerto Rico

[@pachacutiincayupanqui2239]

Fun fact : during Napoleonic wars french army drove the Order of Malta from the island and the knights fled to Russia. There, Emperor Paul 1 declared himself master of the Order of Malta and declared Malta his province. And when the British after the liberation of Malta refused to give it to Russia, Paul became angry with the them and even made an alliance with Napoleon. Paul was generally an interesting person, for example, he, together with Napoleon, planned to capture British India and would send a campaign there if his nobles would not have killed him (perhaps with the help of the British)

[@sephikong8323]

So, you mean that there is an alternative reality not far from our own where, not only did Napoleon win and had a staunch Russian ally but where we would see Russian Raj ? The perfect mix of perfect timeline and cursed timeline

[@pachacutiincayupanqui2239]

@@sephikong8323 Yes , past is a strange place )

[@dontmindme9175]

Malta- “Can you annex us?” UK- “No.” Malta- “👁👄👁”

[@Evzone1821]

Malta: Can I be part of the United Kingdom? United Kingdom: *”Well yes, but actually no.”*

[@Valencetheshireman927]

Lol your country got REJECTED

[@mannaggaguz9620]

@@isaacscerri9696 Malta stopped being independent when it joined the EU, remember? Just look at how many MEP seats it has in EU parliament. 6 out of 705!!!!! Just like the poor Jews in Auschwitz, ssshhhhh keep your head low and look busy. There’s hope though. Don’t loose track of Mexit and make sure it’s not too long after Brexit or like the Covid vaccines handout, there won’t be much left. Van de Loo’s resignation is in the pipeline and that would be a good time to Leave and save face. And that advice comes from a well meaning proud Malteser who has been made Very Welcome in the UK like millions of other immigrants who are proud of British achievements too many to list. Just the fact we have a common English language in the world justifies the imperfections of the British Empire in one stroke . Can you imagine if we had to teach the whole world Esperanto from scratch? Egyptian, Roman, Persian, Greek, Spanish, French, Chinese empires…. that’s history. It had good and bad. You can’t change it and should not try to change it either. Just learn from the good and also from the mistakes. Glass half full not half empty. Don’t just believe what you read but question it. It will never be a perfect world. Fake news all around you. Think big and until you travel the world, living on a tiny 8 mile wide island, that is not easy. Strive to get your independence back and you won’t be sorry. The atmosphere here in the UK despite Covid is now Electric!! You can feel it. But MSM won’t print it.

[@riowarner0617]

@@isaacscerri9696 and its an utter mess now

[@riowarner0617]

@@isaacscerri9696 yeah but im half english in malta and I'd rather live in England. We've actually got greenery and better job opportunities. Also the uk government is full of bellends but rhe Maltese one is correct and a joke

[@dorthusiast]

UK: I want you to be a part of me Malta: no *a few years later* Malta: I want to be a part of you UK: no *How the turns have tabled*

[@MainakMandalTheOnlyOne]

No no, you're wrong, it's *oh, how the turntables*...

[@Korkzorz]

@@MainakMandalTheOnlyOne You _____ The joke ----------

[@raptorfromthe6ix833]

how the turntables have turned

[@Korkzorz]

@@raptorfromthe6ix833 How the tables have tabledturned

[@cloodberst]

Well actually, the Maltese had basically invited the UK to turn them into a colony, on the condition that they kicked the French out of the island first

[@Darkred28]

Video idea: "Why did Colombia name their country after Christopher Columbus?"

[@icecoldpolitics8890]

Luís Filipe Andrade even though Columbus wasn’t the first person to America from Europe and also never acknowledged the fact that the place he found wasn’t India.

[@pilum3705]

@@icecoldpolitics8890 Yeah, but he is the guy that brought the continent and the route there into European public awareness.

[@firecreeper2249]

@@icecoldpolitics8890 he might not be the first but he's the first that documented his journey and it's because of him that spain become the first nation to colonise the americas

[@teddykazista1160]

Luís Filipe Andrade you must be fun at party’s

[@Eshanas]

@@icecoldpolitics8890 he acknowledged it by this third voyage and the forth was 'to get it done' because he bbn oversold it to the crown. Still I wonder why Colombia chose that name rather than terra firme or something.

[@MikhaelHld]

"I think of it as Malta's declaration of dependence" idk why but I cackled to that 💀💀💀

[@Valencetheshireman927]

Maybe you’re a Scottish separatist ? Or an American .

[@Valencetheshireman927]

I didn’t know why he “ cackled “ at that so I came up with a few theories such as him being American which would explain why he loves a good old Declaration of Independence. Sorry for not explaining that properly . 😅

[@DS9TREK]

@@Valencetheshireman927 no, you misread the op. They said declaration of dependence, not independence. Get the joke now?

[@oldschoolgrech]

Hello, a Maltese here. 😊 I would like to briefly continue on the topic and clarify some points. - Ġorġ Borġ Olivier is spelled like this: George (or can be said in an Italianised way, as Giorgio) … Borġ (with the ġ sound like that of ‘George’ not of ‘Garbage’) … Olivier (Olive - eer. The ie in Maltese is spelled as a long i). - Affairs were very complicated. One shall point out that Malta’s economy was based on British military spending (noting the dockyard which was super important). Great investment in Malta was urgently needed, as the war had left Malta in a terrible state, hence Mintoff’s strategy was to integrate with the UK with the aim of improving the standard of living of the people which includes social benefits, work opportunities and conditions on a par with the British, amongst others. Basically, to urgently improve the socio-economic situation in hard times (many Maltese were in fact also emigrating during this period, in search of work, many going to Australia, the US, Canada and UK most especially). - The 1956 referendum for integration was not received very well, only around 59.1% of the electorate went to vote due to a boycott by the opposition (in Malta we usually have a very high voters’ percentage, normally over 90%). Pointing out that the Church saw the plan of integration as a threat. - The negotiations were not going as planned too. The British realised that it would be expensive as a lot of funds were required for Malta to higher its socio-economic standard to level them (noting that Malta did not even benefit from the Marshall Plan). The Maltese archipelago was just used as a military base, hence as a strategic tool, thus social investments were very limited and basically also to serve British needs. One shall point out that during this time there was also the Suez Crisis. - In 1958 tensions rose to a higher level, as the British also created a state of uncertainty with regards to the dockyard, Malta’s main employment and economic sector at the time. Protests and riots followed. Mintoff had publicly declared that the British were not honouring the obligations agreed in 1955, and that self-determination is the rule to follow. - From then on, Malta evolved and prepared itself for independence (1964) , republic (1974) and freedom (1979), working on diversifying the economy as well as decrease and eventually eliminate its dependence on military-related spending, which it ultimately succeeded. I have given a very brief explanation, but I hope I made things a bit clearer. It was not just a matter of Yes or No, the lives of thousands of Maltese depended on such a decision. Nowadays we are doing great and I am proud we maintained our distinct identity. By the way, if you are a motorcycle lover, please Subscribe to my channel! Cheers and have a nice day! :)

[@tokyo1girl]

Perfect Info.! Well done.

[@josephgalazka3891]

Be safe motorcycling brother

[@oldschoolgrech]

@@josephgalazka3891 Cheers, will do. 🙂

[@d0ntfeedphil447]

Video Idea: Why does Luxembourg exist?

[@DerAstrophysikerr]

Short answer: Because Germany lost. Twice.

[@orpheonkatakrosmortarchoft4332]

After the Napoleonic wars the Grand Duchy of Luxembourg was given to the kingdom of the Netherlands alongside the Austrian Netherlands which was more or less Belgium, however when Belgium became independant it was cut off from the Netherlands and so became independant at the same time than Belgium. Both France and Prussia played with the idea of annexing it but neither did it because they didn't want to provoke the other.

[@comradekenobi6908]

the point of the bayonet is bringing a sword to a gunfight

[@johnhughes9878]

@@orpheonkatakrosmortarchoft4332 And because neither country wanted the Belgians.

[@tacob0]

So that rich ppl dont have to pay taxes.

[@nihon2251]

Never knew Id be interested in finding this out, I sure am now

[@isaacscerri9696]

Hi if you find Maltese history or culture interesting please search more about our island we have a really expansive history.

[@NiskaMagnusson]

i have a friend in Malta and they're incredibly anglophile saying that the Island has changed hands many times but their time as part of the British Empire was better than now (not sure if i'd believe that) but they point to current situation of Malta with immigration and less control over their affairs in EU than in British Empire, i didn't know they actually wanted to stay in the UK after all that though.

[@TheJeremyHolloway]

Hey, if they feel that strongly then they could hold a Maltexit and again request to be annexed by the UK...

[@jofl]

Have lived in Malta for eight years and it would definitely be good if someone annexed this country since it is not exactly well-run. Not UK though, would need someone more competent, like the Germans or any Scandinavians

[@NiskaMagnusson]

@@jofl living in the UK i can 100% understand your feelings towards our leaders' incompetence, they make the French look good by comparison and that's really saying something. Germany does have it's problems too, especially regarding financially exploiting other regions, but they'd probably be a safer bet than the UK.

[@user-io6hz6ro1z]

No! Malta for Italy!!! 🇮🇹 🇮🇹 🇮🇹

[@NiskaMagnusson]

@@user-io6hz6ro1z says the Russian troll? lol. Why does Italy need Malta exactly?

[@stevemc01]

*at the country bar* Mongolia: "What happened with you...?" Malta: "I got rejected in a club." Mongolia: "Ah I can relate..."

[@Dan-zc7ut]

That would have been so cool

[@succhiatoredelcazzo4689]

no.

[@comradekenobi6908]

_And so kids thats how the Anglo-Maltese War begins_

[@Valencetheshireman927]

@Maltese Melon -Yes

[@snowyvert]

I'm Maltese and I really wish we are a part of the UK 😞 life would be a lot better tbh

[@lennydale92]

It would have been awesome. Malta is a beautiful place.

[@Irrelevantnerd1918]

Who else would be interested in a video about the extent of Serbia’s involvement with the assassination of Franz Ferdinand?

[@yuslaven89]

We have nothing to do with it. Why would we order the murder of only person who was against the war with Serbia?

[@Irrelevantnerd1918]

yuslaven I’ve heard that Serbia’s responsibility with the assassination of Franz Ferdinand is “debated” and yet I don’t know of any of the specifics of how Serbia would’ve been involved or any evidence of Serbia being behind any involvement or more importantly why.

[@yuslaven89]

@@Irrelevantnerd1918 Official government definitely have nothing to do with it. Serbia just had finished two Balkan wars (1912/1913) and really didn't have any interest to provoke AH. There was speculations that Serbian colonel Dragutin Dimitrijević Apis (He was leader of secret political organisation Black Hand which fought for liberation of "Serbian lands") have been involved in equipping and training Princip and other conspirators. He was powerful man. He and people from his organisation killed last king from Obrenović dynasty and put Karađorđević dynasty to throne. He was sentenced to death and executed in 1917. after Thessaloniki proces for treason and failed assasinarion of regent Aleksandar. There are theories that Aleksandar made up everything just to remove and eliminate Apis influence in army and politics. But what is sure, is that they hate each other. Sorry for info dump, but it was necessary. To summarize: 1. Serbia fought two wars in two years. Army and economy were in bad shape 2. Apis probably, but it's not certain, helped conspirators. But he had not work by government instructions becouse: 3. He was executed in the middle of the war in power struggle between him and regent Alexander.

[@scotandiamapping4549]

Yes

[@georgemacbeth9667]

I’m British but have been on holiday to Malta loads of times and absolutely love it. It’s history and culture is fascinating, it’s people are incredibly friendly and welcoming, to to mention great weather and food. Only downside is their drivers are crazy!!!

[@xpeppix2445]

I have never been offended by something I 100% agree with

[@sam08g16]

It's a good thing it didn't happen. If they went full British their people would no longer be friendly and their food would have become awful

[@leonardofranzinribeiro4220]

@@sam08g16 But they'd drive on the left, totally worth It!

[@OtterBops]

@@leonardofranzinribeiro4220 They actually do drive on the left. Very Poorly.

[@justmyopinion8341]

Vito Lebommil good comment I agree how can you be both British and friendly. Doesn’t make sense I’ve heard the brits are very sarcastic too.

[@gabem.5242]

Malta: "Please, Britain! Annex us!" UK: "Well... *no*" Italy: "Hi there, SOUTHERN SICILY :D"

[@Simonsvids]

Actually, no. I was speaking to an old Maltese guy a couple of years ago who was of Italian descent. He said he felt the ethnic Maltese were very ambivalent towards people like him after independence. So much so he emigrated to Australia for a few years. He moved back many years later and said things had since improved.

[@OctagonDinosaur]

I've literally been wondering this for so long but didn't really see enough information on it

[@succhiatoredelcazzo4689]

What this video leaves out however is that the referendum to join the United Kingdom was boycotted by those who were against it, and there was a low turnout. The church also massively opposed Mintoff's decision which played a key role since Malta was VERY religious

[@luigibellini811]

@@succhiatoredelcazzo4689 Yeah till napoleonic invasion I remember that Malta was under knights of Saint John rule, right?

[@succhiatoredelcazzo4689]

@@luigibellini811 The Napoleonic invasion came before Malta was declared a crown colony

[@BurtonJ88]

@@succhiatoredelcazzo4689 60% is pretty good to be honest, the best attended democratic votes in the West only get about 70-75%, it seems unlikely it would have changed the overall result in this case but would have probably meant a narrower margin.

[@wholelifeahead]

@@succhiatoredelcazzo4689 They boycotted it because they could never have won anyway, and its much easier to discounts its legitimacy if you dont turn up even if you were always going to lose anyway. Similar to the 1973 border poll in Northern Ireland.

[@monikhadka]

Britain: I want islands Malta: what about me? Britain: ugh no!

[@jeromeattard7143]

As a maltese myself I already knew this because we learn it at school. Very well done. Great Video!!

[@mbgamer3189]

The United Kingdom of Great Britain, Northern Ireland and Malta. Man what a world that would have been.

[@reubenmatthews5615]

Not too unusual actually. France, for example, has territories in South America and Africa that are fully intergrated into France as French Departments, and the Netherlands also has other constituent countries in the Caribbean.

[@randomperson7673]

Britain:Annexes everything. Malta:Annex us. Britain:No

[@johndickson76]

Being turned down must’ve made the Maltese “cross”.

[@Abravado]

Philistine

[@TheMightyKinkle]

Wayyyyyy

[@emanuelbuttigieg]

Sorry but, BRITIAN actually made that freakin cross on our flag.

[@alganhar1]

@@emanuelbuttigieg We did, and it was a Cross well deserved by the Maltese people. For those idiots talking about that 'Cross' in an idiot manner, the Cross on the Maltese Flag is the George Cross, the highest Award for Courage beyond the Call of Duty it is possible for either a Civilian, or military personel outside combat to win in the UK. It is no accident that more than Half George Cross Winners are Bomb Disposal..... In only one case has the Cross been awarded to an entire people.... Possibly political I grant you... but still well deserved in my opnion. Other George Cross winners have been Civilians, one for example was a Teacher, who kept going into a burning building to rescue students until he stopped coming out (posthumous award). In Britain should someone win both the Victoria Cross and George Cross (has never happened), the Victoria Cross would be higher in priority... but ONLY because it is the older award. In all other respects the George and Victoria Cross are considered equal (and as the highest awards for valour in the land, they are the highest in priority!). The Maltese are right to be proud of that Cross, for a considerable period of WWII Malta was the most heavily bombed piece of land in the world. The Maltese people met the bombing, and the threat of invasion with a courage that is astounding. I have read accounts written by Royal Navy crews of Maltese Dockyard workers working under conditions that were... frankly.. lethal. Repairing damaged ships whilst being bombed, being machinegunned by fighters... And that is only the Dockyard workers... it is only one example of the courage showed by the Maltese. Courage often not replicated by British Dockyard workers I may add.... I have to admit, If I had been alive at the time I would have supported Malta being part of the UK. Hell, we have the Welsh, the Scots, the Ulstermen and the English (guess witch I am... hint, its the first), so why not the Maltese?

[@thomasattard9821]

lmao

[@dogzabob]

I love how one patron has become a fan favourite on this channel 😄

[@oliversherman2414]

I love your channel keep up the great stuff

[@mgore90]

I wish they had joined us; as a Welshman I'm pro-union, but can't help but feel a little dismayed at the prospect of Scotland leaving, and us ending up stuck with England as their poor relation. I like the idea of being part of a state tied together by mutual values and interests as opposed a nation-state -- I find Welsh, English and Scottish nationalism all equally nauseating and mostly contrived. The Home Nations, Gibraltar, Malta, the Falklands, some of the smaller Caribbean and Indian/Atlantic Ocean islands, Hong Kong and Singapore -- a trading commonwealth rather than the empire that we became. Ah well, it was not to be.

[@DrBovdin]

Sorry, a bit of an outsider here, but I just want to say hi 🙂. I’m a Swede who spent several years in York and elsewhere in England (yes the vikings held Jorvik for a few years again, lovely place). I always felt at home and that most of the nationalist rhetoric was mainly banter. Was I wrong? I was sorry to see the brexit vote and the eventual implementation of it, mainly as it makes it much more complicated to set up a life over there as a non-UK national. England was home for a long time. But I sure do hope you guys can stay strong together and prosper. I would hate to see the banter become bickering, or worse, belligerence.

[@janetmackinnon3411]

@C D Dearie me...

[@ads2686]

Well it was Wales & England that voted for brexit, so don't blame Scotland for wanting out. You stole our oil & then fucked us out the eu. Why wouldn't Scottish people now want out now, it wasn't even 10 years ago we were being told their was no oil & gas left. Now it turns out still plenty left

[@cattysplat]

@@CD-yx8fs It's not the English to decide if the Scots, Welsh and Northern Irish want to stay in the union.

[@Rickenization]

Damn we could have had a lovely little holiday destination.

[@ulrichleukam1068]

The thing is after WW2, the UK were struggling financially and Malta would be a liability than an asset. So...

[@Michael-gu1bf]

As someone who is half Welsh (on my father's side) and half Maltese, I find the history of the proposal fascinating.

[@atrumluminarium]

Thank you for discussing my country's history on your channel. As a suggestion for a future video, the Great Siege of Malta is also a content-worthy part of Maltese history :)

[@Numba003]

I didn’t know Malta tried to formally join the UK! Thanks again for educating me on issues I didn’t know existed History Matters. Stay well out there everybody, and Jesus Christ be with you friends.😊

[@morbidsearch]

UK was so reluctant to maintain their empire that Anguilla had to fight a war to remain part of them

[@dominicguye8058]

It was more like Anguilla had to stage a revolt to not be under the control of St. Kitts. They had declared a sovereign republic before British control was reestablished.

[@vorynrosethorn903]

Propaganda by the regimes of the former colonies in intervening years has had an effect as has the slow degradation of Britain and the dominance of leftists in its educational and administrative infrastructure.

[@firehazzard8497]

@@vorynrosethorn903 Sorry what? Your say leftists caused people to be Anti-British Empire?

[@vorynrosethorn903]

@@firehazzard8497 Not totally of course. Plenty of nationalists and self serving politicians have got in on the action like when South Africas gov blamed colonialism for the water system in parts of country breaking down after 20 years of not getting proper maintenance (yes, I know that gov is left wing but I think the excuse is much more to do with passing the buck and being able to call opposition members who point out that people had been warning about it for all those 20 years imperialists). Many of the narratives used are quintessentially left wing but that doesn't mean that they haven’t also been picked up by anyone else with something to gain (or distract from). I the UK itself it’s almost entirely a left wing thing with people like the SNP heavily relying on a fictionalised view of history (Scots and Irish were very heavily involved and greatly overrepresented in British Imperialism but are switched to being solely the victims of it for modern political use) and it very much serves modern political agendas with most of the people espousing it being largely unaware of the actual academic view of it which is far more balanced and based upon records rather than convenience.

[@morbidsearch]

@@vorynrosethorn903 Any evidence that Irish people were "over-represented"? They were probably just Ulster Scots anyway

[@ColinH1973]

Fascinating. I didn't know about this at all. Thanks.

[@portulanka]

Never really thought that such a thing happened! I guess it makes sense looking back... Thanks for sharing!

[@kokojambo4944]

It would be so weird to think that the "UK" would be a federation of 5 countries including one south of Italy.

[@axelpatrickb.pingol3228]

I mean France did it with the overseas departments, why not Britain...

[@RoScFan]

Not that weird really. They already have both Gibraltar and Falklands islands.

[@fraser4982]

@@RoScFan yh but they're overseas territories theyre not union members and so don't get seats while in this one Malta would have got 3 seats in london

[@gremlinonthewing..5477]

Party Time for millions of Brits

[@kokojambo4944]

@@RoScFan Yeah but those are overseas territories not actual member states. without real representation also I was mostly talking about sitting in a classroom in primary and secondary school and learning about The British Isles + Malta.

[@grimsiescorner9872]

As a Maltese person I’ve been happy to see Malta on the map in these videos about Europe ☺️

[@martindimov289]

You can (if you want of course) make a video about how the Bulgarian government in 1970 asked the USSR to annex Bulgaria.

[@Sly88Frye]

I really like watching these videos a lot. They are all well explained in such a short time. sometimes I feel like I learn more here than I did in history class. Don't get me wrong there are some things I learned in history class. But it's nice to learn other things here that they just don't really teach you.

[@cliffarroyo9554]

Malta is one of my favorite places on Earth so I'm very glad it didn't happen.... driving on the wrong side of the road is enough...

[@jackcarabott591]

As someone who lives in Malta the way he said Mizzi hurts me in so many ways😂

[@ronh2660]

1. Guy dies, he falls down, like pawn piece sack of potatoes 2. Dancing in the fields of daisies Love the presentation! Cheers from Calgary

[@notplebbes9108]

Nice video really enjoyed it.

[@benmaor2582]

Phew, James Bizanet is back

[@TheSongsiawei]

When I read about my country history, British was like our mother, she think We are adult already and force us to be independence after World War II.

[@bengreen6980]

Very informative, thank you

[@billyb6001]

Brilliant work

[@EMANON92993]

Jokes on the British. Now we can keep all the Kinnie and Pastizzi to ourselves.

[@thesaint8400]

Urgh those Pastizzis are so bloody good.

[@dbdb9334]

Keep em...

[@emanuelbuttigieg]

YESSS TOTALLY RIGHTTTTTT!!!! WE HAVE THE KINNIE AND PASSTIZZI TO OURSELVES!!! and even I don't take a Shit about Britain, cause Boris Johnsons hair is like a big shit on the floor

[@emanuelbuttigieg]

@@thesaint8400 thanks!!!! Most of our culture is food

[@zjzr08]

I heard Twistees is interesting.

[@Frankenbutt99]

The United Kingdom of Great Britain, Northern Ireland and Malta doesn’t really roll off the tongue too nicely

[@emanueldobos8452]

Probably because you're not used to it yet

[@sandrojones8068]

@Big Smoke Yes it does. Though it would sound better if we got rid of "Northern"

[@immortaltyrant2474]

The United Kingdom of Great Britain, Ireland and Malta.

[@immortaltyrant2474]

@@sandrojones8068 Absolutely!

[@tisFrancesfault]

@@sandrojones8068 yeah, but for whatever reason the Irish don't seem to keen.

[@nik65stgt60]

Super content! Thanks!

[@alexoneill5305]

Never mentioned in my history a level course- but this will be great for extra detail 😀

[@arthurlombard5181]

Land: *exists British Empire: i see no flag planted yet

[@fakshen1973]

BE: (steps over locals flags)

[@rambo8wradio]

- But we live here! - Do you have a flag?

[@Valencetheshireman927]

The Americans do the same and all of the world if we’re honest .

[@timothyschembri8029]

Just seeing my country in a video brought me joy. Thank you for sharing Maltese recent history

[@ThunderingJove]

Good video, thanks!

[@vmiranda7786]

I was seriously thinking about this some day ago LMAO thanks!

[@Grymbaldknight]

I actually think it would've been really interesting for the British Empire to evolve into a global "country", with a shared national government, economy, military, and such. I don't know how practical it would've been, but it would certainly have been a novel way to modernise the empire.

[@lokischeissmessiah5749]

France did it.

[@Eddies_Bra-att-ha-grejer]

@@lokischeissmessiah5749 But France only kept some pipsqueak islands.

[@lokischeissmessiah5749]

@@Eddies_Bra-att-ha-grejer Their territories are bigger than what we kept. French Guyana? Reunion island? Their holdings were turned into administrative regions of france, different to how british overseas territories are.

[@NotFM]

Isnt british annexing tiny island like everyday things? Edit:OMG! Thanks for 2k like :)

[@nachoeee690]

Its everyday bro

[@itdc2219]

not annexing, colonizing, because then they would be citizens, and could vote, move to the UK, and the UK would have to spend a lot of money to keep Malta from economically collapsing.

[@nachoeee690]

@Alex The Awesome conquering islands that serve no economical or strategic advantage does get tiring after a while lol

[@hippitybob2362]

Yeah pretty much

[@daisybrain9423]

Annexing means adding something to the territory of a state. As a colony, Malta was a territory governed externally by Britain, but was not part of the British state. The only thing Britain ever annexed was Ireland in 1801, when the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland was formed.

[@sidneytaylor8341]

Never heard anything about this before. Nice one

[@Romaboo453]

Love yours video from Malta god bless you

[@gerardonv3296]

I just thought up another interesting topic; Why didn’t Latin-America prosper?

[@elisamuelsanchez4803]

Because they were and still are catholic.Protestant culture has a work ethic than Catholicism. If you look at Europe, Protestant countries by average have a higher GDP per capita higher than other Catholic, Orthodox or even Muslim European countries.

[@xeno1912]

Elisamuel Sanchez France? Bigger population and budget than Britain. And Germany is half catholic

[@xeno1912]

To answer your question it’s because they had corrupt leaders and a lot of foreign intervention economically politically or through war. Also a lot of them were thinking about communism but America was like no.

[@jonatanlj747]

Whatifalthist recently made a video on this. To heavily simplify things, the Spanish style of colonial administration was very hands-on, and as a result the colonies were quite reliant on the mainland. When this connection was severed, economies struggled and instability grew.

[@obiwankenobi4252]

@@elisamuelsanchez4803 France and Poland are Catholic and half of Germany is too

[@kalvon]

UK: I've won, but what cost?

[@BOABModels]

I did not know this. Thanks!

[@jadechristalle506]

congrats on 1 million

[@LE-kf4ql]

After Giorgio Borg Olivier helped us gain independence in 1964, ironically, Dom Mintoff expelled the last British Forces in 1979.

[@michaelgrech9396]

Very interesting, though I would like to point out two things. 1) In 1950's Borg Olivier did not call for Independence but for quasi-Dominion Status. 2) The video emits the role of the all-powerful Catholic Church which opposed Integration.

[@Gareth1892000]

Great Britain: We are here to colonise your land Malta: Sure, take the land you need. Also, if would be best if you take all of us. Great Britain: wait, that's not how you play the game

[@Davey-Boyd]

Well, I never knew this. Thank you!

[@dangergeezeer2100]

Very cool idea, it's amazing to think I could go to Malta a would still be in the UK it would have been really odd.

[@christianweibrecht6555]

If only Malta hired Goldman Sachs to distort it's finachil numbers it could become part of the UK

[@nicolasjamo]

In all honesty they probably could have hired Goldman Sachs to do that, GS had been helping people, companies, and nations to fudge the numbers for decades. The Greek Debt Crisis was very profitable time for GS.

[@florianluo8131]

*screams in Malaysian*

[@greenbutter3190]

Stable video👍

[@kennykeating5243]

Malta is one of the few nations that became independent by default

[@UTJK.]

Default... lol :D

[@jimnicholas7334]

*I think of it as Malta's declaration of dependence*

[@patbuchanan276]

Props for the accuracy, from Malta. Some other considerations which led to the failure in annexation are that Mintoff wanted more seats in the Commons, and the referendum would be deemed illegitimate after many who were against integration did not vote in protest.

[@yingyangmapper5399]

Me: Thinks about something in History History Matters: Releases a video about it

[@sskuk1095]

The moment you realise that in every video there is a small appendix at the end!

[@blagoevski336]

Nice Video 👌

[@tessat338]

My husband and I went to Malta for our honeymoon and on one evening, watched the Eurovision Song Contest over a pizza and a pitcher of sangria. It was a hoot. We two history and paleontology geeks had a lovely time. I would go back in a heartbeat. Malta has fantastic public transportation plus wonderful Mediterranean food, English tea, deserts and sweets, European shops, self-serve laundrettes, and English-language used book stores. For English-only speakers, Malta is like Europe Lite. Pretty much everyone speaks English. It would also be a good compromise between group/family members with differing interests. There are blue waters and apparently some decent beaches on Gozo. There are sailing tours. There are tons of churches and biblical history sites for the religiously-inclined. There are statues and paintings. Some paintings are by Caravaggio, who lived there for a while and had to leave in a hurry. There are ancient history and paleontological sites. There are Crusader, Age of Sail, Napoleonic, World War 1, World War 2, and post-war historical sites that are well worth seeing. The harbor is a marvel of engineering for people who just like to see giant container ships or to watch heavy machinery working. There was even a space rock when we were there, though I have heard that it has since been stolen. TONS of movies were filmed there, including Robin Williams' "Popeye," and that set is still available to visit. You can wave at the cruise ships then have the islands to yourself after the ships and their passengers leave. The weather was in the 60s & 70s (F)/20s(c) in May when we were there and people apologized to us for how cold it was. My only warning is to not drink the native Maltese wine. When we were there over 20 years ago, it was terrible! I don't know if they have improved it since but you can just as easily get French, Italian and even California wines. Stick to what you know.

[@letsgoraiding]

Well, at least we can be friends! 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁥󠁮󠁧󠁿🇲🇹

[@scotandiamapping4549]

TRIGEREDDDD

[@zen4men]

My late father was based on Malta at times, while serving as an officer on HM Submarine TORBAY during WW2, and was lucky to survive, as T-Class submarines were easy to see in the Mediterranean. ...... Malta suffered terribly in WW2, and although I have never visited Malta, I honour their people, and their history. ...... The only island to be awarded the George Cross.

[@davidrenton]

i went there in my teens, happy memories, inc drinking a bit 2 much wine on a speedboat, having a swim 2 miles off the coast , later to find out that's where all the Great Whites in the med hang out.

[@zen4men]

@@davidrenton I had no idea Great Whites were in the Med! We never stop learning!

[@davidrenton]

@@zen4men apparently they are also around the UK coastline now

[@zen4men]

@@davidrenton Yes, more sharks are being seen.