The British Empire: The Good, Bad, and Ugly Details of The World's Largest Empire

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[@megaprojects9649]

Get Surfshark VPN at Surfshark.deals/MEGA and enter promo code MEGA for 85% off and 3 extra months for free!

[@philcariss9486]

Rule Britannia…

[@kingkuroneko7253]

Yo

[@muhammadfarrukh960]

🙄 British Empire 👉 was a world 🌍 biggest looters and thief 💥 💯 🙄 British Empire was a world 🌍 killer evil Empire 💥

[@muhammadfarrukh960]

🙄 British Empire 👉 was looting the Hindustan 😡😡😡😡😡😡 👉 Trillion's of dollars 💥💥💥💯

[@Al-AI]

Not watching this! Shame on you. Brextits.

[@MikeTXBC]

Unfortunately, I think Simon wasn't being clear when he stated that the "British Empire created the slave trade." I'm sure he meant that the British Empire started the Atlantic Slave Trade that led to slavery in the USA. No one who knows history could ever legitimately claim that slavery didn't exist before the British Empire as every major civilization (and some minor ones) engaged in slavery since antiquity.

[@krtcampbell9007]

Portugal and Spain were in on the Atlantic slave trade for there south American colonies before the northern parts of Europe got in on the business. Byt we just stepped ot up in scale and put are managerial know how into the trade to make more profit.

[@MikeTXBC]

@@krtcampbell9007 Yeah, I read that after I posted, but I didn't have time to come back and edit my post.

[@Snagprophet]

They also don't like talking about how we started the "slave trade". It involved purchasing the slaves from Africans. The reason why no-one really gives a fuck about most of the negatives described in this video, like human suffering, is because it is part and parcel of history and the concept of a human civilisation. Yet people act like it's this demonic evil force that came out of nowhere and subjugated a fair a free society. It's hard to not roll my eyes at it.

[@djquinn11]

Slavery is as old as written history. Unfortunately, it still exists today.

[@TheOriginalJAX]

to be honest this video's was just simon shitting on the british empire in my opinion, half of what said in the video isn't even true he's a bloody lying revisionist.

[@AsiniusNaso]

An empire so big, a country celebrates its independence from Great Britain on average every seven days.

[@moseyburns1614]

And now look at the state of the UK. Lmao, a fate well deserved.

[@JJaqn05]

@@moseyburns1614 It's better than 99% of countries today? Nothings happened. The UK today is much better than in the 19th and 18th centuries

[@ursodermatt8809]

@@moseyburns1614 yes the pariah of europe

[@thesherbet]

@@ursodermatt8809 thats literally how the UK has rolled for about 700 years, hardly a change to the status quo

[@jdb47games]

@@moseyburns1614 Jealous, eh?

[@thomasmorin749]

Britain lost its geographical Empire but gained its financial Empire in the City of London.

[@mrsentencename7334]

Is it still the real deal or did 2008 end it?

[@tSp289]

"The bad and the ugly, oh and something about infrastructure". All the points are basically true, but this is such an amazing oversimplification. Empires are always complex. They generally combine extreme brutality with huge advances in technology and society. The British Empire effectively kick-started the modern world, for better and worse, and its cultural influence alone is a huge part of modern "western" thought. Also some key points I would have included: the effect of the Napoleonic wars on basically clearing out the seas for Britain to ramp up colonialism, the immense shift that the end of slavery created in Europe and America, and the overwhelming importance of the industrial revolution.

[@listenherejack]

Modern British: "Terribly sorry about the whole Empire business, awful stuff, terribly sorry" Mongolians: *30 metre statue of Genghis Khan*

[@Anonymous-cm8jy]

@@lu544 With God complex and probably biggest rapist and killer in history.

[@aidy6000]

@@Anonymous-cm8jy im sure he was spinning in his grave when when you wrote that.

[@mccombe25]

Never met a British person thats been sorry about anything the British have done. Quite the opposite actually

[@julianshepherd2038]

Apologies are cheap

[@l0dgey]

@@mccombe25 people like you forget that the ruling British exploited and abused their own people long before and during the empire. our ancestors pain and suffering was the motivation for the empire

[@Rob_-dv6ei]

Slight correction: we did not abolish slavery in 1807, we abolished the Atlantic Slave Trade - you were still allowed to keep slaves, just not ship them over the Atlantic. Slavery itself was abolished in 1833 in the British Empire as a whole. EDIT: also, slavery within the British Isles itself was banned since the C12th.

[@tomriley5790]

Actually slavery was abolished in the 12th Century in England and Wales, which led to rullings regarding a need for postive law freeing slaves that had been brought to britain.

[@davidrussell8834]

Another correction. Slavery was abolished in England and Wales by William the Conqueror.

[@randomcamus9445]

😮

[@davegibson79]

They ended all slave trading across oceans, not just the Atlantic, because that was all that was possible. Slavery was ended by the British, French and Americans around 1919. The only slave trades that continued after the British and French navies were the slave trade in China and north Africa/the middle East. With the fall of the Ottoman empire, and the collapse of Imperial China, slavery could be ended in the places the British and French could not previously get to as they were not capable of invading deep into the heartlands of continents (although they started to be able to do so in the 1890s with the scramble for Africa). The credit for ending the Chinese slave trade could go the Chinese Communist Party although in effect they just nationalised slave labour by giving themselves the monopoly on slave labour, such as with the slavery of the Uighers in Xinjiang concentration camps today.

[@mikeyoung7660]

What gets to me about the British Empire (Im British by the way) is that every major city from Glasgow to London were riddled with poverty. The biggest Empire huge and wealthy while it's people suffered

[@davidguiney1746]

Ever been to the US? The wealthiest country ever and the levels of poverty across the US is shocking. You might not see it in Times Square, but you wouldn't have to go far.

[@michaeldy3157]

All empires were like that. Look at the two remaining true empires , russias failing brutal one and the chinese ( tibet enslaved) one that is right now exterminating yughers.

[@darthpepe2994]

That's because you're focusing only on urban centres, and in urban centres there's ALWAYS more people than jobs. It has nothing to do with how big the empire was. If you look instead at the people who had jobs, or better yet had businesses, or even those who worked the fields in the countryside, life in Britain was infinitely superior to life outside it, even though conditions and pay to us in the 21st century would still seem horrific. People around the world wanted British goods so factories which produced them had endless demand, therefore endless shifts for workers, workers who needed feeding by farmers who could provide food, who needed it transporting by people who ran transport businesses and so on and so on. The poor sods competing for work in the cities were the only ones out of luck, everybody else lived in far superior conditions compared to other countries

[@lewisbae1326]

First of all poverty is everywhere. The level of poverty is different. Poverty in USA is wealthy compare to poverty I india

[@Axel_Andersen]

@@lewisbae1326 So is the cost of living in USA compared to India

[@nicholasthomas4382]

Simon's point about the French not supporting the second Iraq war is well met. I was one of the people who went along with the propaganda and fervor that lead us into that war, and derided the French for their opposition. Now I realize they were right, and I was wrong. Another reason to reject the idea of America as the World Police.

[@paulhaynes3170]

There wasn't WMDs the Iraq war was propaganda!

[@xa-12musk8]

Better the USA than China. I won't even mention Russia,pretenders to top spot as they are, a nation with the 5th largest economy in Europe and even a smaller economy than Texas.

[@angloirishcad]

However someone has to maintain the peace...

[@rittataylor_2000]

@@angloirishcad well if anything it shouldn't be the nation who is the biggest exporter of weapons and has the most nuclear powered arms than any other nation in the world

[@rob5944]

good on you for admitting that. However I was deeply skeptical at the time though. Despite repeated claims of WMD nothing was actually shown on TV or anywhere else for that matter. I still believe that the US had to be seen to do something after 9/11 and we were obliged to go along with them, it's as simple as that. Saddam Hussein was no real threat to us and weapons inspector Dr David Kelly was silenced before he could talk.

[@jamesheracklis4020]

Sorry to be that guy, but the lost colony of Roanoke was in North Carolina, not South Carolina. Trust me, North Carolinians are way too proud of that fact (it is taught in 4th and 8th grade).

[@andrewmedanich2844]

Youre correct Ive had the pleasure of visiting that exact island and site definitely North Carolina

[@INMATEofARKHAM]

Maybe it was really in South Carolina and that's why they've had so much trouble finding it? /s

[@jamesheracklis4020]

@@INMATEofARKHAM nope, definitely in NC. The Croatoan tree was in Dare County, and the actual tribe lived near modern-day Cape Hatteras.

[@Grafknar]

South Carolinian here. Yes, Roanoke was in NC, not SC. Set foot in Downtown Charleston and you'd realize there's no need to live anywhere else.

[@julianshepherd2038]

Don't worry. No one cares.

[@stephenwilhelm]

Magaprojects: Britain started the slave trade. Portugal: Am I a joke to you? A quick Wikipedia search says that Portugal started buying African slaves in 1444, and started sending them to Brazil in 1526. This doesn't excuse the British, just stating facts.

[@cadetbiff3833]

Let's not forget the Romans, Barbary Pirates or pretty much any large empire that needed cheap labour from it conquered enemies. Not an excuse for it yet not 100% the only slavers ever.

[@lesserspottedmugwump.363]

Careful hate facts will get you sent to the naughty bin. Egyptians built their own tombs dont ya know.

[@DarkZodiacZZ]

Who did they buy those slaves from?

[@stephenwilhelm]

​@@DarkZodiacZZ Mostly from the Mali empire, which Portugal already had trade relations with. Mali was the hub of west African slavery, and had been for centuries. But the Transatlantic slave trade was particularly brutal, even by the standards of ancient times. The conditions for the crossing, combined with the treatment of the slaves (especially in sugar plantations) is on a level never seen before.

[@bmadidc9123]

I think his point was that the empire was the largest single contributor to the slave trade, I think

[@barakdan1858]

"And yes, everyone in the past was the worst" that was hilarious😂🤣

[@itsbolixreally]

I acknowledge that its hard to fit in everything in a 20 minute video but I think that Ireland and Britains relationship was somewhat glossed over. It was only as recent as 1972 that that British soldiers committed Bloody Sunday in Derry. The atrocities of the empire can not be written off as a thing of the ancient past

[@allenhill1223]

Sad UK has found another way to mess with the irish.send immgrant. And put money in the pockets of Irish leaders to close there eye's. Ireland don't want those immgarts😢

[@twinkerdoodle]

I love how the chaos of Business Blaze is gradually migrating to the other channels haha Also, the red stripe at the bottom of the thumbnail almost made me think I'd already seen the video. Food for thought

[@ntlespino]

*Brain Blaze Gotta keep up with the updates

[@Colonel_Kurtz]

Same problem here with the red stripe I thought I already watched it almost skipped over

[@Soniciscool1214]

I HATE red bordered thumbnails for the exact same reason.

[@kathybell616]

Same here with the red stripe lol

[@CidZAER]

Seems Simon's sponsors are becoming more comfortable with him being himself instead of just a buttery smooth voice.

[@corey4109]

I dont think you can say England started slavery, it was used well before that

[@cros13]

I don't think they can take credit for ending slavery in their own territory either. It's not an accident that both Acts of Parliament limiting or abolishing slavery (1807 & 1833) almost immediately followed large influxes of anti-slavery Irish MPs in the elections immediately following the 1800 act of union forced on Ireland and the 1829 Catholic Emancipation Act. The change in voting between earlier failed efforts to abolish slavery in the late 1700s almost exactly aligns with the addition of Irish MPs.

[@elias_xp95]

@@cros13 The addition of Irish MPs... and where were they added? That's right, to Britain. Thus, Britain abolished slavery. Let's not forget the huge role played by the RN!

[@CamoHunt8]

Keep in mind that he doesn't say slavery, slavery had already been prominent in Europe if you go back to antiquity and it was still widespread throughout the world. He specifically says the slave trade, referring to the Atlantic Slave Trade. He would also be wrong on this account since the Portuguese and Spanish had already been trading in slaves previously. However, neither country would be able to match Great Britian in absolute numbers, it wouldn't have gotten as far as it did without British (or French) participation and it is largely responsible for creating the racial divide in the US (Not continuing it). As a small aside, I'm not trying to say that what other european countries wasn't bad, you're either in the slave trade and colonialism or you're not and what others did is just as morally wrong even if they weren't as good at doing it. You can even go farther and look at other european countries who would have done it if they could. The Danes, Sweedes, Austrians and Poles also tried to have colonies of their own at one point or another.

[@somerandompersonidk2272]

@@CamoHunt8 The Portuguese still actually transported more slaves.

[@SteveDorrans]

I don't think he did, did he?

[@johnbanka2623]

Not one mention of Canada, taken by conquest from France and the largest colony by far in its day. Having lost what was then called British North America, perhaps Louis XIV said it best: "It was just a few acres of snow." 🙂

[@renzoelperipatetico]

So...?

[@tymanung6382]

Dof.not France +.England both invade indigenous 1st Nations?

[@ElGrandoCaymano]

Louis XIV died in 1715, well before the Treaty of Paris. New France was not the largest colony in 1759, it was the Portuguese colony of Brazil.

[@christopher9727]

.. Jesus Christ is the only hope in this world no other gods will lead you to heaven There is no security or hope with out Jesus Christ in this world come and repent of all sins today Today is the day of salvation come to the loving savior Today repent and do not go to hell Come to Jesus Christ today Jesus Christ is only way to heaven Repent and follow him today seek his heart Jesus Christ can fill the emptiness he can fill the void Heaven and hell is real cone to the loving savior today Today is the day of salvation tomorrow might be to late come to the loving savior today Holy Spirit Can give you peace guidance and purpose and the Lord will John 3:16-21 16 For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life. 17 For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through him might be saved. 18 He that believeth on him is not condemned: but he that believeth not is condemned already, because he hath not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God. 19 And this is the condemnation, that light is come into the world, and men loved darkness rather than light, because their deeds were evil. 20 For every one that doeth evil hateth the light, neither cometh to the light, lest his deeds should be reproved. 21 But he that doeth truth cometh to the light, that his deeds may be made manifest, that they are wrought in God. Mark 1.15 15 And saying, The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand: repent ye, and believe the gospel. 2 Peter 3:9 The Lord is not slack concerning his promise, as some men count slackness; but is longsuffering to us-ward, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance. Hebrews 11:6 6 But without faith it is impossible to please him: for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him. Jesus

[@rapier1954]

It was Voltaire said of Canada " it was just a few acres of snow" and Louis XIV died long before the Treaty of Paris gave New France to Britain. You really need to get your history straight. Although not mentioning Canada is a true oversight.

[@RootlessNZ]

Thank you for this excellent swift survey of the British Empire. I noticed you did not mention New Zealand (Aotearoa) which was last to be colonized by the British. It was conceived as the Britain of the South Pacific. Here, there was a treaty between the local Maori tribes (iwi) and no wholesale slaughter or famine, but there were the Land Wars of the 1860s. Reparations are still being made by the government to iwi to this day.

[@seanlander9321]

Well NZ was first colonised by New South Wales, as a sub-colony of it, then later NZ was transferred to Britain as a colony after NSW had sorted out the treaty, or most of it to be fair.

[@dominicomucci3014]

There was no wholesale slaughter and famine in any places of the empire. They would only go to war if provoked or to destroy evil like the enslaving ashanti etc.

[@Th3_Gael]

​@@dominicomucci3014people just like to blame us brits because it's easier than accountability. The reasons we did things are never brought up, neither is the fact the entire world as it stands now was shaped by us.

[@UnbannedAgain]

​@@seanlander9321 legally transferred to those who ran the who shebang. Sounds like an Australian mad they got bit on the ass by a spider today while taking a shit.

[@Masada1911]

*british grenadiers starts playing in the background* You are being civilized, please do not resist

[@SRW_]

Resistence is futile

[@justindyches5510]

the trees start singing yankee doodle

[@madrabbit9007]

Where the British Empire planted flags, great civilizations followed. America, India, Australia, and Canada eh!

[@luislealsantos]

@@madrabbit9007 iraque,iran,Palestine, Egypt, Syria and so on..

[@madrabbit9007]

@@luislealsantos yeah, there are many hell holes as well where civilization didn’t stick due to the locals wanting to live in the dark ages. Look at the mess we Americans have left in Afghanistan. I cry watching the hoards of people trying to flee the cavemen.

[@Crimelord43]

"History is history, good, bad, ugly and the shameful its still history." - Daryl Davis

[@Archangelm127]

Take your "logic" and get outta here. :P

[@MesbahSalekeen]

@@Archangelm127 agreed

[@Crimelord43]

@@Archangelm127 elaborate

[@cashcleaner]

Daryl Davis is an amazing person.

[@Archangelm127]

@@Crimelord43 It's a joke expression, commenting on how the most logical arguments often seem to be dismissed the most quickly in the public discourse.

[@davidsheeran5144]

Very infromtive videos , keep up the good work

[@Silverfish-qv8ig]

"Essentially started the slave trade." Wait, what?!

[@alexgibson2871]

Bit disappointing this video! No context of Arab trade or African slavery, or warning about judging history from the present, no mention that while Indian rulers and peasants resented British presence, the traders and merchants preferred the increased security and maritime /interior reach. (T. Roy)

[@cliffgaither]

​@alexgibson2871 :: Yeah❕️ The old :: _Get Out of Jail Free Card._ _Everyone else was doing it._ _They sold their own people._ That and much-more pretty-much sums up the British horrific and nefarious nature. They can't even accept their responsibility for their global crimes.

[@stdesy]

Probably not a great idea to ever put a red border around a video as it looks like the indicator that shows it has already been watched.

[@markkarasik2211]

😎the “already watched” line never stops me…Simon’s Channels are the first I ever enjoyed reruns of!!!

[@ryateo1]

I don't have that. Nothing in my feed tells me I've seen a video. For what its worth, I've never needed anything to tell me I've seen one. Thumb nails are great for recollection.

[@stdesy]

@@ryateo1 I watch thousands of videos and could never remember all of the thumbnails. KZbin will only put a red line under the last 2000..a lot of times I’ve started watching a video only to realize 5 mins in I’ve seen it before

[@ryateo1]

@@stdesy I wonder if its because I only use cheap phones without Google apps?

[@stdesy]

@@ryateo1 It’s probably that. I’m only ever on the opposite side with an iPhone but I do also see the red line on my PS5 and Roku KZbin apps

[@Present-Tense]

19:23 "... it (British Empire) essentially started the slave trade." Within the British Empire, yes. However, to the shame of humanity across the globe, capture and trade in slaves LONG preceded the British Empire: eg δοῦλοι , δοῦλαι in Ancient Greece, servī in Roman Empire, þrælar of the Vikings ... and let's not forget the Bible: Exodus 21:20-21 Leviticus 25:44-46 Ephesians 6:5-8 Colossians 3:22-24, 1 Timothy 6:1-2, Titus 2:9-10

[@als3022]

@@TG-tl4uj Or a prisoner of the Barbary Pirates.

[@OriginalBongoliath]

@@nedkelly4825 Islamic slave trade continues to this day but we aren't allowed to say anything bad about Muslims and my comment will probably be shadow banned by KZbin for saying it.

[@blockmasterscott]

@@OriginalBongoliath Well said,

[@Snow-ql9sc]

Was going to correct this twat also thanks for doing it for me.

[@thepoliticalhousethatjackbuilt]

@Present Tense "The slave trade" (also referred to as the "Atlantic slave trade", or "transatlantic slave trade", or the "Euro-American slave trade") in the context of European Colonialism, refers to the transatlantic trading patterns which were established as early as the mid-17th century. The British triangular trade in slaves, in which trading ships would sail from Europe with manufactured goods to the west coast of Africa to be traded for slaves, the ship would then transport the slaves to the Americas or the Caribbean, before returning home with cargoes of sugar, rum, tobacco and other 'luxury' items, is the "The slave trade" in question here. It is this Slave Trade that the British Empire controlled and "essentially started", which is being discussed; It is not about the slaves in Ancient Greece, the Roman Empire or the Bible (which were made up of predominately captured enemies) but the activity of exchanging goods for human beings and then buying, selling these people as chattels in a triangular trade route.

[@markace1071]

An extremely important point left out is the British method of "Divide and Conquer"

[@JohnnyWishbone85]

That's hardly uniquely British. It's the oldest play in the Empire Playbook.

[@AERYS.]

Still prevalent to this day. Used by politicians and others with power.

[@mudra5114]

Divide and Rule by the British is a myth.

[@57palmtree]

Spectacular objectivity. Nicely done.

[@jamesbrandau3712]

Enjoy these presentations immensely. FYI- The Roanoke Colony was in present day North Carolina, not South Carolina. Back then, then the whole area was known as Virginia. It was not until much later when Charles I partitioned the Virginia territory and named the new divisions after himself that the Carolinas came into existence. Earlier in 1624, King James revoked Virginia’s private charter and declared it a Royal Colony, the first official such designation in what was to become the British Empire. Also, Virginia remained loyal to the crown after the Regicide of Charles I,. When Charles II took the throne after the Cromwell’s Protectorate collapsed, Charles II declared Virginia the “Old Dominion,” a nickname which survives today.

[@rollout1984]

To be fair, when you have an empire that large its only natural to forget where you placed a colony here and there.

[@scintillam_dei]

Spaniards first pass by Virigina, not the genocidal Brits. See also the video "Spanish Discovery of Hawaii 1555." Jamey Cooked is overrated. Brits are overrated. The British Empire wasn't the biggest. Stay tuned for my video proving it.

[@scintillam_dei]

@BB49 YOu can ask the brown people in Perú who exist because the Spanish weren't genocidal, and those people are indoctrinated to be anti-Spanish, so you'll get the wrong answer from their mouths, but the right answer from their existence.

[@trevorfuller1078]

@@scintillam_dei Ask the so-called indigenous “Brown People” in Mexico or Peru today of their opinions on how Cortez, Pizzaro or the other Spanish Conquistadores really treated their conquered & subjugated peoples (Their ancestors) in most, if not all their Latin-American colonies?!! It might totally be an eyes, ears, & wholly mind-opening experience for you!!

[@scintillam_dei]

@@trevorfuller1078 You're talking to a Central Amercian. Most people are taught to hate Spain from youth. They're ingorant and gullible, just like you. Most Native Americans in América don't even know their identity. Their ignorant opinions don't change a thing except to show the injustice of anti-Spanish lies.

[@davidashby8761]

I love seeing the older videos and seeing how much Simon's beard has grown.

[@CpT1977]

Superb explanation - thank you.

[@zombiedalekweck2243]

Always got the remember to first judge history through the lense of what was normal back then and then judge history by the values of today.

[@ernestbywater411]

A point to remember when talking about claiming lands like Australia is: The policy of Terra Nullus was established by the Pope when the Spanish and Portuguese were busy claiming lands in the Americas back in the 16th century and was a major part of claiming the lands in North America. This policy was also very strongly supported by the US and Canadian governments with their expansion across North America as well as being a core aspect of the US Government policies behind the settling of the the lands west of the original colonies.

[@grahamross6397]

Also those already there in Australia had no concept of land ownership, so couldn't sell the land for beans.

[@loke6664]

@@grahamross6397 Not to mention that the first European who "Discovered" Australia was the Dutch explorer Willem Janszoon which makes Britain's claim to Australia even thinner (if that is possible when the aboriginals had lived there for 60 000 years). But might makes right and the nation with the worlds largest Navy kinda did like they wanted back then, just like Spain did in the early 1500s.

[@angryatheist]

Australia was a managed land , the natives had practiced burning the land since they arrived and they had structures just not in the Eurocentric view of civilisation

[@aceundead4750]

Makes me wonder if id be an American or even if id be alive as the same person if, after the USA divorced GB, the US govt hadnt expanded west and just stayed the original 13 colonies

[@somethinglikethat2176]

@@angryatheist managed the land is an interesting way of putting it. There was an extinction event when they settled Australia, like everytime humanity found a new place to call home. Humans are the most ridiculously over and powered animal this planet has ever produced and this shows in the fossil record.

[@a.ferreira9787]

We Portuguese have a heavy guilt in slavery, that is for certain. But slavery is way older than the country. Before Portugal being a naval power, the peoples from north Africa raided the Portuguese coasts, mainly Algarve (in the south) and took the villagers to slavery. I would say that slavery was a common concept at the time, just as was war. Slavery was a profitable trade, it was not an act of evil at the time. Awful and a crime to our modern eyes, for sure.

[@sentientflower7891]

Slavery was awful and evil in the Bible circa 1000 BC.

[@a.ferreira9787]

@@sentientflower7891 Sure, but that was irrelevant for many, such as the Moors that enslaved the Portuguese or later some greedy Portuguese nobles and merchants. At the time there were champions against slavery, such as a humanist Jesuit that is one of our 'national heroes'. This greedy mentality that drove empires is not so different nowadays. People accept that climate changes is a consequence of our behaviour. Do most of the big companies really care? I don't see that. They just pay (or make us pay) a 'climate tax' and clean their hands. Immediate profit cannot be stopped, even if it seriously damages future generations. That is not properly a Christian idea, in my opinion. Not to disagree with you, it is just to say that this is the way humanity has been.

[@sentientflower7891]

@@a.ferreira9787 the ultimate climate change tax is the extinction of the human species. That bill is coming due. Soon. Jesus Christ isn't returning. Ever.

[@Skaarxiong1]

we still have slaves you know, we just don't call them slaves. we call them, NBA players.

[@davidsilverfield835]

Yup

[@Bokoyo]

Visited 🇬🇧 6 months ago and the situation is awful 😣 unemployed people, 7000 high street chains were closed, beggars on every traffic lights, pay cheque to pay cheque disposable income, no money in consumer’s pockets with inflated prices made me change my mind to invest, I’m betting on India after their general elections now.

[@walkabout16]

The British Empire, a chapter in history's scroll, With stories of glory, and tales dark as coal. A colossal dominion, it once held sway, But was it a force for good, or led hearts astray? The good, they say, brought progress and law, Institutions and culture, without a flaw. A global reach, a legacy grand, But did this empire's reach truly expand? The bad, though, lingers in memory's grip, Exploitation and conquest, with power's whip. Colonial oppression, the cost so high, In the name of the empire, did justice truly lie? The ugly, it's clear, was a stain profound, Injustices committed, in many a land. With exploitation rampant, and suffering untold, The darker chapters of history unfold. But let's not forget, it's a complex tale, With heroes and villains, and ships' tattered sail. The British Empire, a mixed legacy, In its rise and its fall, what's the true decree? In questioning history, we seek to unveil, The lessons it holds, the truths that prevail. The good, the bad, the ugly, they intertwine, In the story of empire, a narrative's design.

[@albion6087]

one thing I would quite like to point out is there were those in the empire who both supported its existance, while at the same time being horrified by atrocities commited by it. there was a political group which heavily praised the existance of the dominions and their self governance while critiquing British policy in Africa and Asia for not extending the same self government.

[@nidhichopra7565]

So when are we going to see a mega projects about Simon and his youtube empire??

[@X3R0NZ]

Underrated comment

[@Nucl3arDude]

I think at least a shout out to IP law could be one discreetly major thing that the British Empire spread across the globe. It was a huge component in tying together the last major incentives and protections in law that made the industrial revolution possible.

[@davidpalk5010]

Ah, IP law. That was worth millions of deaths and decades of exploitation, wasn't it?

[@rogersmith9535]

@@davidpalk5010 They never said it was.

[@davidpalk5010]

@@rogersmith9535 . They suggested it was a positive, but we didn't spread it to China, the world's biggest manufacturing country, did we? No international IP laws in China today, which is why Taiwan does much of the top tech, as they've signed up to all major treaties. Did our empire take IP treaties to Taiwan? Nope.

[@silverhawkscape2677]

​@@davidpalk5010 Nom they traded with the British and other western Nations. And so had to comply.

[@andrewwilliams3137]

@@davidpalk5010 You say "decades of exploitation". India's GDP grew while the British were there. You underestimate the benefits from British trade and investment and from industrialisation of India's economy. 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.

[@Zarrar2802]

@0:40 whenever you use that SFX, it always feels like I got a notification from another app

[@mopnem]

Great summary at the end

[@davidharriss3792]

Minor correction: the remains of Roanoke Colony is in modern North Carolina. Not South Carolina.

[@MegaBbqbbq]

I go to Duck 3 or 4x's a year.

[@cowboyfan6844]

Was just there two weeks ago, it’s definitely in the OBX, not South Carolina

[@garylong2692]

Grew up near there. It is NC.

[@Uncommoner]

It's also not Great Britain's first overseas colony. That would be St John's Newfoundland, granted Royal Charter in 1583 after being a fishing outpost since 1497

[@hifinsword]

@@Uncommoner However it was only seasonal and not permanent until 1610, 3 years after Jamestown was settled as the first PERMANENT English settlement in the new world.

[@dannyk1818]

Most definitely want to see a video of Simon trying to awkwardly smile his way through Mongol atrocities or weird Mongol related horse facts.

[@RNmedicSeniorservice]

Yep. An Empire that made such an impact through murder and rape that they changed the actual carbon foot print of the the human race as it was then (millions killed in such a short period, as in a few years that the amount of wood/fuels at the time burned reduced drammaticly, and 1 in 200 men in the human race share DNA direct to the Khans!).

[@jrus690]

What, you think that the Mongols were unique in their atrocities. Britain, France, Belgium, Netherlands were all able to shovel their problems under the rug. Winners write the history books, especially when most of those books were written after World War 1, mostly by the aforementioned powers. The most recent example of great atrocities is the infamous Mao Zedong, who from 1949 to 1979 (30 years) may have had 50-75 million killed through his actions. Even Genghis Khan did not do that, we do not know how many people Genghis killed, all is heresy written by others.

[@roisinmalone3015]

Whataboutery What the Mongol Empire did doesn't change what the British Empire did.

[@RNmedicSeniorservice]

@@roisinmalone3015 Not whataboutery as this thread is asking about a videon about the Mongols...

[@rhysabercromby8032]

@@roisinmalone3015 he’s not saying the British didn’t commit similar atrocities. He’s just saying he would like to see a video of Simon trying to smile through talking about it. Bring up another video idea isn’t shoving this under the rug

[@carlgilbert6422]

Always enjoyable Simon.

[@ciaranryan7303]

Great video. I'd love to see a deeper dive into this.

[@brendademeritte8053]

Thank you so much for covering the true history of your home country with honesty. There is a good and bad to all things. History is always teaching.

[@kiltmaster7041]

I'm not entirely sure that this is entirely honest. Parts of this feel as though he's just saying what will get the approval of KZbin. I'm gonna spend the next hour or two reading.

[@gl5399]

The British weren’t the first to start the slave trade, slavery has existed since the beginning of man kind. Many civilisations such as the Greeks, Egyptians and Persians exploited slavery. I suggest you look into the Arab slave trade as it often gets overlooked compared to the Atlantic slave trade which gets far more attention.

[@funster73mcr2]

I think the Portuguese were the first to be shipping from Africa. Maybe we was the first to do it on an industrial scale, as we'd just invented industry.

[@jwadaow]

@@funster73mcr2 There was more shipped to Brazil. It's just America is the world's most powerful country and emphasising carefully chosen narratives works in favour of competing interests.

[@churblefurbles]

wasn't even that bad, the alternative was starving in many cases, or just being wiped out as was the case with ancient tribal warfare.

[@joedoran341]

The British Empire put an end to slavery in the west though.

[@joedoran341]

@@vinaynk erm, no.

[@marcustmusic]

Whenever think of how an empire could possibly control the entire world, I look at the British Empire as an example. The amount of people, supplies, and Navy size to be everywhere at once. I watched your video on the U.S. Military’s logistics and even when we have territories and states, we are no where near the size of the British Empire at its height even if we have military bases pretty much every where.

[@tercomada]

El imperio británico nunca pudo con una potencia de su nivel, solo sometió pueblos débiles y territorios invitados, además de ser el imperio más genocida de la historia

[@mrsentencename7334]

I’m pretty certain that just Britain today is richer than the whole British empire, everyone is richer. The USA is way more powerful than the British empire ever was, and I’m proud of our brothers across the pond taking the helm.

[@tercomada]

@@mrsentencename7334 el timón de genocidas

[@mrsentencename7334]

@@tercomada You criticise the British empire using the standards the legacy of the British empire set and the values it left behind. Think about what you're saying

[@tercomada]

Podría darte una lista de todos los tratados que rompió, traición de aliados, genocidio contra su propio pueblo, genocidio a pueblos externos, persecución religiosa, narcotráfico (opio en china, asta hicieron dos guerras porque no les dejaban hacer contrabando), y sin mencionar tratas aztuales que por ejemplo reino unido debía devolver el peñón de Gibraltar hace más de 100 años ​@@mrsentencename7334

[@Nick-rs5if]

"Throwing hand grenades into the comment section" must be one of the best lines I've heard on KZbin 😄

[@sammim7657]

The British didn't start the slave trade, it had been going for a long time before the British Empire.

[@chalky7285]

I agree black African tribesmen were selling rival tribesmen taken battle and raids to Dutch merchants long before Britain got involved but that gets ignored cos we apologize and the Dutch don't.

[@williamwilliam5066]

The British STOPPED it, but unfortunately many people of colour still indulge in it. Anyway the British were victims of slavery for many hundreds of years before Africans.

[@randomuser6306]

​@@chalky7285 what? The Egyptians were doing it 5000 years ago. They didn't invent it either.

[@chalky7285]

@@randomuser6306 I totally agree my friend it is a humanity problem and it will probably never end but can hope

[@rhinoman80]

Up until the British abolition of slavery, slavery has been practiced on every continent, by virtually all people. In no way, shape or form is it a "British" thing.

[@HddDatatracker]

Hey Simon, had a look about in the video library, could you look into the topic of the Space Suits (should be a good one for Megaprojects - as there are a lot of them and they are all pretty complex)

[@TrippyEye]

You mentioned the pandyan empire, good stuff

[@Daniel-qy9mb]

Of the 20 minute video 15 minutes is slavery, colonialism, and war. 2 minutes discussing health care and infrastructure. 3 minutes of ads. There I just saved you 10 minutes!

[@jeast417]

The amount of power the ussr was able to exert over its people to enact the 13 different 5 year plans was astonishing, we would love to hear the other 12

[@matthewdopler8997]

I am hoping they will do it. Simon said that they were thinking about doing the rest but the first video didn’t do that well.

[@jeast417]

@@matthewdopler8997 yeah I know thats why I keep commenting here and the side projects channel hoping he'll see it a realize many of us want them

[@SkuLLetjaH]

Yes, we've had first Five Year Plan, but what about second Five Year Plan?

[@jeast417]

@@SkuLLetjaH there's 12 others

[@seanbrazell6147]

It's actually pretty simple: Every Soviet Citizen was given a stipend of vodka. Even when bread lines extended for miles and toilet paper was as rare as gold-pressed latinum, the USSR managed to keep the vodka flowing as if the supply was inexhaustible. THAT is a megaproject if evvrr thhrr wwss 1! 🥃🥴👌

[@bakedmons5071]

“History can be a dark place to delve into, but not looking back and examining closely is usually even worse.” Well put megaprojects, well put.

[@silverhawkscape2677]

The worst thing you can do with history is to take the wrong lessons from it. Today many liberals are seeking revenge against the British empire by being...racist to Whites...

[@ATLmodK]

Cromwell also exiled the Irish who managed to survive his campaign in Ireland to become slaves in Barbados. Some have erroneously said these people were indentured servants, and some of the fortunate were able to become so, but initially they were sent as slaves to labor until death. My first American ancestor from Ireland was one such individual who survived the siege of Drogheda, then sent as a slave to Barbados. He took the notice of a Massachusetts merchant who purchased him and improved his status to that of indentured servant, also bringing him back to Massachusetts. My ancestor became free by getting a well known Merchant’s daughter with child and since she refused to marry anyone but him, he was given his freedom so they could marry. Either a major stroke of luck, or a planned path to freedom. 😂

[@spunkinator5000]

Which channel has the Croatoan thing? It sounds interesting and I'd like to check it out but you're in like 15 other channels hahaha,

[@greeber18]

Dare I say the British Empire was the largest Megaproject in human history.

[@noworriesnoproblems6382]

AND GREATEST

[@MarsLonsen]

Make the British empire great again! #MTBEGA

[@BallyBoy95]

@@noworriesnoproblems6382 American Empire beat your British Empire, heck, the US doesn't even call it an empire. Get rekt mate, the metropole of the previous empire is now their bish. Britannia rules the its part of the waves for the US.

[@noworriesnoproblems6382]

@@BallyBoy95 Can you write that again do its readable? I'll take it you said Britain is the best. TA LA!

[@BallyBoy95]

@@noworriesnoproblems6382 Can I write it again do its readable? I'll take it you said Britain is the best at taking in immigrants as is your responsible.

[@PKAmedia]

"and yes everyone, the past was the worst" Possibly the future: Hey hold my beer!

[@Youchubeswindon]

Hello from a worse future.

[@pradsport]

Please make a video on the Pandian Empite (oldest empire) you reference. Thank you. 🥰🥰🥰🥰🥰

[@DrZhivaVideos]

Fine,but delivery is so fast. It must be little bit slow so as to make us to follow earnestly. All is excellent

[@JosephCartertheMinkMan]

Why do you keep saying the British started the slave trade? You need to do a little more research on that subject sir. I know you are very well versed in a lot of things, but you are completely wrong on that topic. The British did nothing more but step in and take advantage of a preexisting slave trade. They did not start it. I'm not British so I'm not trying to make excuses for anyone, I'm just pointing out the facts.

[@andip7480]

if you look at the comments below you will notice that 300 others have pointed that out already.

[@davidbarr9343]

​@@andip7480 That means that 301 people that have commented know the truth.

[@georgebishop4941]

Is he that well versed?...really? Seems like over simplified click-bait to me.

[@lordmaur180]

This is true, slavery predates Britain existance, romans did it, carthagenians did it, babylonians did it, hell on the oldest law code the Hamurabi code there is punishments for killing another person slave

[@aidangriffiths5075]

The slave trade and slavery are not the same thing. The British started modern slavery to the US as we know it

[@iagosevatar4865]

Perfectly synchronised with Overly sarcastic production's channel

[@kilotun8316]

As all things should be...

[@lejibus]

I was wondering about that, is it a British holiday or something?

[@williamchamberlain2263]

@@lejibus not that I know of; school year starts 4th September, then nothing else till Explodey Day on 5th November.

[@Beryllahawk]

@@williamchamberlain2263 I love that. Explodey Day. Fabulous. I too came to see this video because of Blue's recent one hehe

[@johneames-petersen277]

That $45 trillion is based on a GBP USD exchange rate of 4.89. Currently it’s one quarter of that, which probably says a lot about an economy unable to exploit colonies.

[@kevinthomas3946]

Very good Simon

[@kryts27]

The Portuguese started the trans-Atlantic triangle slave trade, then the Spanish, then the Dutch, then the English and the French later. As for all the slaughter, bondage and slavery (initially) in the British Empire (and it wasn't British until 1707), it's like what John Cleese's character said in the Life of Brian; "what did the Romans do for us?"

[@_hunter_hunter1048]

The slave trade itself was started by the muslim arabs in the 7th century after they *Invaded* *Occupied* *Colonized* North Africa , they converted the berbers and then the Othoman Turks came , all these 3 muslim groups established History's *Largest* and *Longest* slavetrade (7th to 20th century) , they enslaved millions of Black africans and millions of Europeans (they raided european coasts and ships) .... when Europe finaly broke out of the islamic siege in the 16th century they became Clients of the islamic SlaveTrade ,they bought slaves from the muslims , even many Pagan African tribes became SlaveTraders and raided neighboring tribes to sell them to both muslims and europeans

[@majorfeelgoodrecords2740]

When the Roman empire left Britain, it turned into the dark ages

[@curtisthomas2670]

There allegedly is a saying "if you see two fish fighting in a river an Englishman must have just passed by"

[@debranjandas1425]

The stupidest quote ever.

[@theinformationbomber7102]

Hahaha so damn true

[@drstrangelove4998]

@@theinformationbomber7102 explain

[@drstrangelove4998]

The British Empire evil, oh, compared to what, compared to which other empires. Ridding the Indian sub continent of it’s actually evil empire? Ffs get real.

[@atacama1000]

@@drstrangelove4998 yes the British empire was evil.

[@The_Greedy_Orphan]

I wander if there's an Italian or Nordic version of Simon that looks back at the Roman conquest or Viking raids (and also conquest) or ancient and medieval Britain.

[@kenbernarte7902]

i also wondering if there is an American version of simon that looks back at US slavery and imperialism like invasion of iraq, Afghanistan, Syria and many more

[@The_Greedy_Orphan]

@@kenbernarte7902 In fairness, Simon has covered those topics

[@kenthomas1080]

Love to see more

[@chuck.reichert83]

"Apparently here at Mega Projects, we like throwing hand grenades into the comments section." BEST LINE ON THE VIDEO. Had me laughing for a good minute. Thanks for making me spray my table with coffee.

[@ChristopherKnN]

And France should be happy they don't speak German after they dropped so many rifles in 2 world wars.

[@nathantilbury3309]

Slavery is wrong and no one could defend its practice, but the British did not start it. Egyptians, Greeks, Romans, Ottomans, etc all used slaves. Slavery has been practised by humans since the dawn of civilisation and perhaps before that. I will say that no nation can claim to be paragons of justice when it comes to history. We must research, debate, and learn from history so we do not repeat the mistakes of the past.

[@bl7355]

Not forgetting the Inca, Aztec & Mayans until the 16th century. Also, the Japanese in the 19th & 20th Century.

[@AndrewHalliwell]

And it's not as if we started the American slave trade either, that was the Dutch, iirc. We were just more efficient at it, when we joined in.

[@Aiphiae]

There are countries in Africa who in recent years have formally apologized for the substantial role they played in the slave trade. Somehow, this is always forgotten when people talk about slavery.

[@thetruerift]

Chattle Slavery, as practiced by the European empires in the age of exploration was substantially different than most historical forms of slavery, vastly wide spread, and still has measurable and direct impacts on people and communities still living today in multiple countries.

[@douglasmohammed9844]

"the cool kids are doing it too" doesn't excuse the act of slavery. Just fucking own it. Let it marinade into acceptance, and do better for the future.

[@markrussell8716]

While no weapons of mass destruction were found, Simon does point out in the "5 Evil Leaders" video that Suddam Husein had used chemical weapons (considered weapons of mass destruction) on his own people. So there was good cause to believe this, even it it was mistaken.

[@paullacey748]

You forgot to mention that William of Normandy colonised Ireland in 1066. My ancestors did well out of it.

[@earthwizz]

I find it an interesting comment on nature of bureaucracy is that, as the empire disintegrated post WWII, the Colonial Office was expanding at a ridiculous rate.

[@giovanniacuto2688]

The birth of the Overseas Development industry

[@lukei6255]

They were busy with operation Legacy, destroying any materials showing atrocities committed by the British in occupied nations.

[@AaronAaron247]

My biggest issue with this video is the phrasing of “British created slavery.” Or basically blaming “slavery” on the British. Shouldn’t be this sloppy with your wording. Saying “British Empire along with the Spanish Empire helped create the African transatlantic slave trade” would be better. Slavery existed long before the British Empire and still persists today. Hell it was also beneficial to those Africans who sold other Africans into slavery. This issue is much more complicated than most people pretend it is.

[@brianhodgson9547]

Sums up my argument perfectly, we were involved in the Slave Trade, but WE also stopped it ... on the 'balance sheet' of History, i think that it will show that finally abolishing Slavery is/was more important than being involved in it ... WE even provided reparations to Slave Owners to emancipate slaves, setting them free ... in 1832's money, it was £20 MILLION - in todays money, conservative estimates equate that £20 MILLION to anywhere between £10-20 BILLION - WE only FINISHED paying off that loan in 2014

[@harrypotter4309]

Simon seems like the sort of smug bastard that is quite happy to live the life he does, where he does, with all the benefits of education, security, etc that come with that, whilst decrying the efforts that got us here. If he wants to feel sorry about anyone, it should be for the forgotten millions at home in Britain who toiled for centuries in poverty, to create the wherewithal that enabled the Empire to be established in the first place, but that never seems to worry such smug lefty gits. Question ?? Why do this kind of person always have beards ?? Seems to be a common trait amongst oppressors.

[@brianhodgson9547]

@@harrypotter4309 ...brilliant 👍

[@brianhodgson9547]

@@harrypotter4309 ... if it wasn't for Empire generating wealth, there would be no 'Services' to speak of, as on the whole 'Libtards' work in the Service Industries, so not generating wealth themselves, this is after they get their Media Studies degrees at Uni ... 🤣🤣🤣

[@harrypotter4309]

@@brianhodgson9547 Absolutely spot on. I usually have a go at the universities (ever more left leaning since the 1920's) but I ran out of steam. Totally agree regarding their taking up of non jobs as I like to call them, and the media studies bit is so true. I was a witness to this nonsense grabbing hold in the education system in the early seventies, that and "liberal studies" which usually had in charge someone who was half our age, and knew nothing of the world except the information they had been indoctrinated with . We had much fun pulling them and their assertions apart. But it was difficult not to get angry with their smugness sometimes !! Happy Days !!

[@niallmonaghan2356]

Thank you for including the Irish plantations in your summary.

[@bonitahogue5938]

Is it possible that the fact that many Indians that now weak English, has enabled India to be able to be a power now

[@TejasNaik01]

That last line about looking back at history for all the things we have done is gold.

[@philippedefague3835]

there is no "we" however unless you're attributing generational, blood based collective responsibility. If people are collectively responsible for slavery, they are also collectively responsible for the modern world and all its luxuries. So, are you sure "we" want to go down this road?

[@iseeundeadpeople9]

The British empire still exists

[@Mute040404]

@@iseeundeadpeople9 In your head

[@iseeundeadpeople9]

@@Mute040404 It's called the Commonwealth.

[@mozuk8284]

As a Brit I don’t find it hard to see the past of my ancestors because it’s the past and it was very different times. All we can do is use the past as a lesson and not make the same mistakes ago

[@robfer5370]

Yep. The Bible is very clear, that we are not held accountable, responsible, or guilty for the sins of our ancestors. Anyone who believes in god believes in this.

[@NJards-zt4fp]

@@robfer5370 Isn't one of the central ideas of Christianity that EVERYONE is held accountable/ responsible for a fruit-related transgression of an ancestor in the Garden of Eden?

[@talltroll7092]

@@NJards-zt4fp * Deity class beings may apply exceptions unilaterally. Deal with it, mortals

[@Naveenbr-kp8gc1yi3d]

Actually u can't make those mistakes again

[@bigploppa154]

“not make the same mistakes” then get tf out of Ireland

[@blessingmasawi3616]

I remember telling my late grandpa I was going to study engineering... His response. With a straight face "but where will you find a white person to work in their *company* " i was permanently impacted by that statement. It's just a "norm" to him and society, even after independence. that you "can't exist or live" without working for the BSAP(British South Africa Company's private police force of ober 10 000, which he worked for) or another white owned company. Hearing about BEIC i realised colonialism wasn't even a military undertaking primarily but a corporate one. With growing (and eventually big) companies just like today's Amazon paying locals to fight each other. Eventually the government would "assume control" from the multinational.

[@blessingmasawi3616]

45 trillion 🥺

[@nishant7645]

Bro you are absolutely right it was indian who beated indian it was indian who killed indians when they were protesting just for money and power it was never about white black brown it was all about power they just spread the propaganda of white black so people will keep fighting each other they make fortunes and rule them we are still slave this is modern day slavery people won’t notice it because they are to busy fighting each other or watching Netflix or doing some other shit like war in ukraine dividing people etc it is all just same shit you have to pay money to government can’t say a thing against them or they will block you off social media they control news, social media everything just making us feel we are free but we aren’t.

[@davidjdreid6285]

Well done.

[@farvadafatazz2274]

Too many people today don't understand that anyone can be, and every country has at one time or another been both remarkably good, and unimaginably bad. Everything has to be absolute nowadays, there's no room for disagreement and discussion, and that is insanity, and it's dangerous.

[@joebrewer4529]

Yeah, but slavery was far worse to their own people in each country that had factories. Those conditions now have been civilized, so no one really suffers any of this.

[@prapanthebachelorette6803]

You’re right. Nothing is completely black or white and thinking in extremes can lead to dangerous path

[@hirenahir76200]

Huh saying this because they are talking about Britain which is pride for most of you westners😂😂

[@originalbadboy32]

It's also however a whataboutism... Everyone else did it so that's OK yeah?

[@carstenhansen5757]

The thing is, that if you actually have a conscience, and try to better yourself, which western societies in general do, unlike less developed societies, you will be called out, for exposing yourself. Even though other countries and cultures have done the exact same thing, sometimes much worse, they are not called out for it, and they are sure as hell not going to admit to ANYTHING. And that is essentially, why they are not able to better themselves and create better societies for their people. if their inferior minds, you are exposing yourself. In a western context it's sometimes good to sometimes admit mistakes, so that there is a chance for you to better yourself.

[@johnburk2838]

Love the channels and long time fan but I noticed a mistake in this video, the first colony wasn't in south carolina, it was in north carolina. I grew up on roanoke island and worked backstage with my father running the concessions for the actors and actresses of the Lost Colony outdoor reenactments. Honest mistake but yea, roanoke island north carolina is where sir walter raleigh set down the first colony where the first baby colonist to be born into the new world virginia dare. Love your shows though brotherman, keep up the good work and take care

[@Purgar316]

He was also wrong about Brittan "basically starting the slave trade", ludicrous. Still love his content though, great stuff

[@FelonyBellend]

Witch!

[@harryb6783]

He gets a lot wrong. There is a major Bias and he is very selective about what parts of history to tell. He has a left wing Bias.

[@Plainsburner]

@@Purgar316 Yeah, slaves were captured and relocated since ancient times. Even if you were talking about the specific trade of slaves from africa to north america, Portugal was the first.

[@Purgar316]

@@Plainsburner didn't know Portugal was first. Cheers for an interesting tidbit

[@multiyapples]

I had no idea about some of the history of The British Empire.

[@storytime118]

Roanoke was actually located in what is now dare county, North Carolina. I cant blame u simon, but those are very different states and in historical information and accuracy is very important.

[@Denazon]

You say that you tried to be balanced but there were far more negative aspects you went into detail with and simply glossed over anything positive. Also the British Empire did not start slavery, that is just false and you are a fool if you believe that.

[@sirfinleygaming9490]

Toke to the 19th minute to say anything positive, and that lasted 30 seconds

[@Catkilledmeowbob]

I think he said the slave trade. Slavery has been around for eons up to today, and will be here tomorrow but he means the British started the business of the slave trade across the Atlantic to the Americas and Caribbean.

[@Denazon]

@@Catkilledmeowbob Actually it was the Portuguese in 1526 who started the Atlantic Slave Trade. The British were not even the largest, that was also the Portuguese. It was also the British who eventually stopped the trade all together and forced the other nations to comply. Always do your own research.

[@Catkilledmeowbob]

@@Denazon you’re right, it was the Portuguese. Not sure what source he was drawing his info from. I gave him the benefit of the doubt. I thought your argument was based on the “act of enslaving people” which has been around since human civilization, not the slave trade which was also an incorrect assertion that it was started by the British Empire.

[@MrDragon1968]

@@Denazon Yeah, it was the Portugese and Spanish who started the Trans-Atlantic Slave Trade, with the Portugese having the largest numbers overall - and both those countries did it for the longest period around 1500-1875. Britain was particularly bad in the 1700's, but before 1650 there was very little by comparison, and between 1807 and 1833 it was hugely reduced and then banned by Britain.

[@init_yeah]

so i remember my dad telling me when i was young about how the British and their advancements developed our country and cursed it at the same time,he told me about how the empire handed power/backed a certain tribe and till this day that tribe continues to rule our country one way or another.

[@ursodermatt8809]

well yes, but what about before that? the other tribe was ruling over the latter one.

[@mrgeorgeb0062]

Rwanda?

[@kokomo9764]

Where are you talking about?

[@DJeMo]

Washington DC is an interesting remain

[@mikaelfodor]

Britain certainly did not start the slave trade by any account. It was an industry already ongoing within africa, with customers in the middle East already who castrated slaves on the way. The first europeans to enter the market was the Portuguese. Britain came a lot later. So no britain did not start it. They definitely ended it for themselves and everyone else, but were not the pioneers.

[@Tuck-hw9oz]

People talk about how the British Empire doesn't exist anymore, but there are still some small islands and part of Antartica that is still owned by the UK, and Charles III also still is head of state in 14 countries other than the UK, like Australia and Canada.

[@colingreen5553]

Well to be fair it’s an empire in name only. If Australia or Canada decided they no longer wanted to be part of the British Empire there’s very little the Brits could actually do to stop it.

[@seanlander9321]

Oh it’s weirder than that. Australians can vote in British elections, stand as MPs, sit in the House of Lords, and the real King is Australian. The British have no reciprocal rights in Australia, so who really is the colonial master now?

[@user-kv2rz3mw2b]

​@@colingreen5553silly comment two lndependent countries members of the commonwealth, meaningless head of state sensibly don't trust politicians.

[@charliealbright662]

Love the channel, this was another fantastic video. Just one small thing, the “Lost Colony” of Roanoke was in present day Dare County North Carolina, not South Carolina.

[@cberry6751]

The Lost Colony was not far from Nags Head, NC.

[@marvwatkins7029]

I suppose one could consider establishing (and running) an empire a (mega) project of sorts...certainly a long-term one.

[@jackfoulkes2047]

Imagine the gantt chart - terrifying.

[@ellomirza]

5:50 ahhhhrrrrrrrrland Is that where you get your “Rs” from? Is that why it’s the pirate catchphrase?

[@paulryley8811]

It is incorrect to say the British invented slavery when it was universal in all cultures and time periods until Britain abolished it in its empire and others followed suit (Portugal got there ahead of us though)

[@CaptHollister]

One thing you can hand to the Brits is their willingness to openly discuss the evils committed in the name of empire. Would that other countries could do the same... looking at you, Japan.

[@wtorules4743]

I'm not sure if that's entirely true. There are some examples of the British starting to face up to their past but it's slow and patchy. There is no formal mention in school curriculums and the current government is trying to ban the national trusts from mentioning links to slavery attached to historic buildings. The conversations are just starting but not in full swing.

[@twofortyrida]

They were visited by the fat man and his little boy. Arguably more than enough payment long term

[@CaptHollister]

@@twofortyrida It's not a matter of payment. It's a matter of recognizing that their grandfathers and great-grandfathers committed some unspeakable crimes. Japan does not recognize historical events such as the rape of Nanking, medical and chemical experimentation conducted on Chinese citizens, the plight of Korean and Dutch comfort women. Young Japanese grow up believing that their country was an innocent victim of World War II which culminated in unprovoked atomic attacks.

[@EdgyDabs47]

@@wtorules4743 Do you have any evidence of that?

[@thecalmclone2813]

@@wtorules4743 slavery gets taught in secondary schools lol

[@carlahildebrand1544]

Hi Simon!! You must take to task the writer of this program! I live in the American colonies, North Carolina! The Roanoke colony was located on an island among the NC Outer Banks and NOT South Carolina!! Roanoke was not too far from Virginia but too far for the ship's captain with a storm coming. So he dumped the colonists on this uninhabited island off North Carolina . Love your videos! And you are a cutie!

[@SujoyBanerjee1907]

Sadly independence for many of these countires came along with a broken and exploited economy, Ethnic & religious divisions, borders based on religious rather than scientific grounds and industries devastated due to colonial taxes.

[@TemptationsEnd]

It’s amazing that the country that’s the size of one state as the epic rap battles teddy Rosevelt line. Was able to take more of the known world within their powers and kept it for so long. Technically it’s still the longest reigning empire as they control Ireland and Australia lol

[@garylichtenberger7976]

In spite of the black effects you mentioned, you did not speak to one of the most recognizable effects of the British Empire: the establishment of the English language as the dominant language in the world today. And many of the former areas of the empire still rely on the precepts of English Common Law to guide their judicial systems.

[@ViDeOMaStErPaUl]

I believe thats a quite literal thing too. Apparently if a crime or some random arse scenario ends up in a court, if the courts have no precident or clue on how to manage it, they'll look to see if Britain has dealt with the issue. If British courts have ruled on that paticular strange scenario then the courts overseeing the case will follow that set precident. Its pretty interesting how the court systems are so interlinked and how a court can literally change the law by ruling differently, law set by precident is a quirk not many acknowledge or appreciate.

[@neilwilliams929]

Gary .i very much do agree on this point. And here's I think is a simple example .....When you look at the Nuremberg trials .Im sure it followed english common law .Even those vile creatures had the right to face their accusers and give their side of the story .If starlin had his way he would have simply taken them out and have them shot NO trial .

[@attackpatterndelta8949]

“The bow and arrow was once the pinnacle of weapons technology. It allowed the great Ghengis Khan to rule from the Pacific, to Ukraine. An empire twice the size of Alexander the Great’s. And four times the size of the Roman Empire.” - Raza Hamidmi al-Wazar

[@simonrae3048]

The great Genghis Khan.? The man was a murderer and rapist on an unimaginable scale. He should be spoken in the same breath as Hitler in my book. But that's just my view.

[@camonty1]

Didn’t the people working the slave ships also die at a rate of 1 in 7 as well. As bad as it was, was it not a massive improvement from the slave trade of western Africans to North Africa that killed 1 in 3 that existed well before the British started.

[@P4Tri0t420]

15:44 German Empire: "Am i a Joke to you?!"

[@boudicaastorm4540]

2:30 ok hold that thought, now I have to go look up the Pandyan Empire. Any Simon videos that focus on it? In all fairness, the British Empire is undeniably an important history topic, but sometimes I actually learn more from Simon's videos indirectly- when he briefly mentions something I've never heard of, and then I go on an internet deep dive on the subject for several hours. One recent thing I did learn from a Simon video that *does* relate back to the British Empire, is that the British Army in Uganda was Idi Amin's point of entry into the military, and so in a way, the British officer(s) who approved his entry could be seen as having played a part in his eventual dictatorship, even though I don't know if anyone but Amin himself could have foreseen everything he was planning or how many people would die under his regime. Some sources state that the British initially thought he was unintelligent and were just using him for his physical strength, but I've also heard that there was substantial British interest in having him overthrow Obote once he'd gained more influence, because Obote was seen as a threat to their colonial interests in Uganda.

[@markthompson8733]

Interesting comment ... Cold war times and Obote was swinging towards the left ..so Amin was basically a counter measure....unfortunately a really bad choice ...

[@annaruocco8097]

This is all the British,Amin is their man. Have you every wondered how there has been a coup in every former British colony,where acting covertly England has put a puppet in power, ousting an elected Government.

[@froggystyle642]

Touchy subject, much like the British Empire, but you should cover the tobacco lords that made Glasgow so rich. As you say, as touchy as it might be, not talking about history doesn't get us very far. Also, more 5 year plans fact boi!

[@jamesmeppler6375]

Not talking about history is better then talking about it inaccurately like Simon. Roanoke, in north Carolina? Simons an idiot, it doesn't take a history expert to know it's in Virginia....his stuff is always wrong in several places...it's embarrassing how often he's wrong

[@froggystyle642]

@@jamesmeppler6375 fair point, but Simon doesn't claim to be an historian. The man is making 10 or more videos a week lol, things go wrong.

[@jamesmeppler6375]

@@froggystyle642 fair point, my thought was like the man records 10 videos a week, that's like getting 1/10 facts on your homework wrong, right? Though I guess I should be calling on Danny or the editor, I'm guessing I'm the one pedantic person who fact checks everything I can. ^_^

[@froggystyle642]

@@jamesmeppler6375 nothing wrong with fact checking at all, I see these videos as a way to get a rough idea on things, and often I'll go look up the subject!

[@aryehhaller]

@@jamesmeppler6375 just so you know the original Roanoke colony was in fact in North Carolina The modern day city of Roanoke is in Virginia

[@yogikarl]

Simon , can you make a new version ''' the really largest empire ''' over 800 military bases of USA . Just putting the smaller Anglo-Saxon under the big Anglo-Saxon