Why didn't Britain ever try to retake the United States? (Short Animated Documentary)

After the US Revolution was over Britain just sort of accepted that America was free and never made any real effort to end it or recapture some of its old colonies. So why not? To find out watch this short and simple animated history documentary.
A special thanks to my Patreon supporters below:
Verbi563
Rikspuckot
Øystein Alsaker
eddy.birdy
Sergio M. Vela
Myller
MajesticFirebird
Harley Raptopoulos
George Kapoyanis
Steven B
CharÉTS
Dennis Vandeban
robert lalonde
Mathias.C
Brendan W
Heath Robertson
Justin Kubusch
Southside Mitch
Michael Kram
Leonard Frank
Cippalippus
ChrisRom
Travis Mount
Alex Teplyakov
Sean Uzar
Aaron Conaway
Christopher Godfrey
Dr. Schtnizel
Steven Gibson
Matthew Toles
mgnesium.poetry
ContraryPython
Jesse Plung
Jason Vandeventer
Joe DeVito
Jacob Zachs
Zachary Pascalar
Anthony McCann
Jeremy Hernandez
Colm Byrne
Cade Summers
BattleGoat Studios
ZCoupon
Kairos
Joseph Reinsch
Yared Cristiano
BenDrums24
Jamie van Brewen
Kevin Neuhaus
Kristian Kidd
Jonny Minogue
Joell Bel
Tristan Kreller
Wolf
Samantha McCormick
Ken Fitzgerald
Mik Scheper
Steve Schroeder
Sean Long
Tyler Bomkamp
Tony Belmonte
Jane Sumpter
Matt Reed
Bobby Koys
No way
Duke
Nicholas Menghini
Scriptmonkeys
Garrett Manarin
Ted Parsons
ARandomPaperClip
Angel Aguiñaga
Tranier Bocaj
Leena Al-Souki
Chris PeBenito
Bartosz Zasada
Hexapuma
C. C. C.
Warren Rudkin
George Caponera
Logical Insanity
Tino
Robert Meehan
Ethan Harlow
Johann_Gambolputty_of_Ulm
Mars Project
David Spellmeyer
Joran Robbe
LambOfLeg
Random Insanity
Juan Benet
Josefine Starlene
Mark Littlehale
Jack Beckman
Charles Kwiatkowski
Shauna K
Paul Munro
Donald Weaver
Roko Lisica
Will Sullivan
KGO
John Gross-Whitaker
Brian Giordano
Nolan Peale
Hapalochlaena Lunulata
Templar366
David Hilbert's Entscheidungsproblem
Duane Bridges
Jewzillamaui
John Orr
blaZzinG_FurY
Alaska Jason
Aeryn and Lisa Toland
Jack Nelson
Yosef Waysman
Andreas Mosand
James R DeVries
Andrew Patane
Ciege Engine
Windischgraetz
The Funks
Tim Sweeney
george tyler
Jakester1238
alexccg
Lord Beac
Joseph Hutchins
Nathan Ngumi
Richard Wolfe
James
Remko Huisman
JT96
Harrison Wiener
Matt Busch
Ben Jambor
Bort Ward
nullptr
T. c. north
Rosebird
Studio Audience
Burt Clothier
Joshportunities
Vegard Tønnessen
Matthew Venuti
Kaiserrin
Valentyn
Andrew Sever
D. Mahlik
Dustin Koellhoffer
Zachary
Sara Birnbaum
Beth Resta
Carr Nyuli
Nathan Snyder
Sean D.
Tom Ebert
Chris Weisel
Bradley Backoff
Colin Cecil
Hunter Bayliss
bas mensink
Liquid Chief
HelloAgain
Tactical_Jackal
Dusty Books
Adam Probert
StarshockNova
Dullis
Rabbi Rob Thomas
Serius_Loyola
Thomas McGraw
A. J. Smart
WolfiZee
Jasdeep Brar
khaki enthusiast
Ian M
Charles Doolittle
Rob Rollins
Isabel Harrison
Jasmin Vikk
Sethars
Larz Welo
Alex G.
Jeroen
Mr.Myoozik
Shannon Cartee
Damon
Heytun
Hidamarisou - Webnovel translations
Jon Wright
Ned Burke
Robin!
William Maywood
Ruben Rodriguez
Moraxian
Ian Smith
Clay Carroll
erez87
Mark Ploegstra
Adrian Marine
Joshua Schneider
Jonathan Niehaus
Dr. Sarno
Gin Aldeguer
Philip Yip
Vance Christiaanse
Peter Marino
William Adderholdt
Bren Ehnebuske
Carl Blanton
Spencer DeRosier
Thomas Wang
Jeff Sharon
Tim Stone
Melissa Prober
Hiro P
Miky Hidalgo Morriss
Anthony Uk
Lord Chromium
Doug MacLean
Joel Wasserman
Robert Brockway
YugiJitsu Games
SirAlpaka
Magdalena Reinberg-Leibel
Tim Stumbaugh
Shakira
Oriki
Nuukov
Allen Rines
Dr. Dana L. Pertermann
Tyler Jenkins
Erik Hare
Glassford Global
Justin Short
Matthew O'Connor
Ted Ingram
Mario Peshev
Ali Sadighian
Seth Reeves
Steve Bonds
Contdoko12
Patty Culp
Nick Macarius
tegsirat
Mario Mejia
Darth Zayexeet
Joseph Kerckhoff
Juan Castillo
SketerK
Kevin Phoenix
ThePalestRose
Peter Hopkins
I'm Not In The Description
Ron Johnson
DefinitelyNattox
Konstantin Bredyuk
ixs
Tom of Essex
Tommi Hewitt
Robin_Col
João Santos
Vladislav Vasilev
Jacob Bennett
Typhoon2401
Kameohawk
Jan Bart Verbist
Lindorien
Kasi
M Scho
Schwarzer Hai
Jordan Russell
Hazzard
blei95
Jackarice26
zemnmez
James
Rhys Little
Ash Elford
Ben L
Twinny Hill
Phil Johnston
Tarsirrus
Rhys Jackson

[@Quin_Ram]

If The U.K retook The U.S.A, everyone would’ve been speaking English by now.

[@tommoore2012]

Fun fact: the modern day American accent is more similarity sounding to the previous English accent before King George III created the form of English linguistic used by British of today.

[@wpjohn91]

Yeah, this is mostly true.

[@will9501]

Darn ryaight!

[@patrickjeffers7864]

Even the UK doesn't speak english..well, they don't spell it anyway

[@gabrielrussell5531]

Thankfully, we speak American instead: We don't add vowels or drop consonants. We also don't randomly say "Pip pip", "Cheerio", or "eh wot wot".

[@salahabdalla368]

2:24 "Everyone died for nothing" is distrubingly common

[@user-ht5fo4bo7m]

real

[@ilovemuslimfood666]

@@salahabdalla368 Vietnam in a nutshell.

[@rickysampson8759]

@@ilovemuslimfood666except the nva fought for independence whereas the us fought for colonialism. They became who they hated the most

[@samadams2203]

It keeps happening!

[@brunswickgaming]

war moment

[@BartlomiejDmowski]

Love how Britain behaved like a parent of a rebellious kid „You want to live on your own? Fine! Let’s see how long it takes till you come back and admit I was always right”

[@Jay-oj4hj]

USA was rebellious because the UK was an abusive father.

[@Jin-Ro]

We're still waiting 🤔

[@peterdisabella2156]

​@@Jin-Ro Might be the other way around at this rate

[@joshtaylor9626]

@@peterdisabella2156 fr

[@leanflavoredpringles2353]

And the kid never came back.

[@AaronMichaelLong]

One thing to point out is that Britain's recent experience with Cromwell is why they were very skeptical about the American Republic being able to surive. They expected Washington to be a second Cromwell. Which is why, when he declined to hold onto power, he won a fair amount of respect and admiration from his contemporaries in the old country, including, allegedly, George III himsefl.

[@jarrodkopf6813]

Fun Fact: King George III himself compared George Washington to Cincinnatus of the Roman Republic.

[@HermitKing731]

I know him That can't be That's that little guy who spoke to me All those years ago

[@douglassun8456]

Indeed, I think we have largely forgotten just how crucial Washington's character was to the development of the US and how it resonates down to the present and will continue to do so into the future. He commanded the loyalty of the Continental Army and he could have used it as the easy route to power, just as Cromwell - not to mention Caesar before either of them - had done. It would have been simple for him to declare himself King, or Lord Protector, or whatever, because the boys with the guns answered to him. But he chose not to roll that way.

[@lukesmith1818]

Also a majority of European republics were small, short lived and dysfunctional

[@chequereturned]

I don’t know if ‘120 years earlier’ counts as ‘recent’

[@dragonsword2253]

Because Americans microwave tea and the British were so disgusted they never wanted to come back

[@andrewternet8370]

Hehe heat box go brrrrrrrr rrrrrrrrrrrr beep beep beep

[@funghi2606]

What’s wrong with it? Does it change anything

[@justforthis3208]

Do they actually microwave tea? Or is this a joke? That sounds so wrong.

[@ilovemuslimfood666]

@@funghi2606It’s just not “proper”, apparently. even though the end result is the same.

[@brandonlyon730]

You think that’s bad, some Germans boil there beer.

[@matthewheald8964]

That “Everyone Died for Nothing” with all the bigass smiley faces almost made me choke on my water.

[@franciscoacevedo3036]

0:49 the British were surprisingly not that wrong Currently social mobility in the USA is far lower than in the UK Essentially while the USA democratically peaked in high school the UK peaked later

[@franciscoacevedo3036]

0:49 knowing that currently the USA does have a pseudo monarchy the UK wasn't that far off heck the Usa even has a lower social mobility rate than in the Uk

[@imbored4798]

@@franciscoacevedo3036maybe because we’re stuck trying to fix their problems that they brought onto us.

[@The_whales]

Ww1 in a nutshell

[@matthewheald8964]

@@franciscoacevedo3036Thanks for giving me my daily laugh; I needed that lol.

[@DrVictorVasconcelos]

People don't realize how rich India was. There was no reason whatsoever to focus on the US with that prize. In hindsight it sounds crazy, but that's just how it was.

[@Jay-oj4hj]

The European powers neglecting and ignoring USA helped it to grow into a rich world power

[@eodyn7]

Ironically North America is a significantly richer territory.

[@JOGA_Wills]

Not too crazy, the Americas was founded by Europeans trying to get to India

[@lanleskovec8697]

​@@eodyn7maybe right now, but than india and china were the richest

[@Jon_FM]

yeah something they claimed around the same time from France.

[@Chickenbowser]

I love Alexander Hamilton's signature being scribbled with crayon. Such a perfect little detail.

[@neeljavia2965]

Reference?

[@kulled]

@@neeljavia2965 the jim carpenter show. waaaaayyyy before your time.

[@joec9693]

@@neeljavia2965 Probably just a joke at Hamilton the Musical, however I did find that at the signing of the US constitution Hamilton was the only member of the New York Delegation to sign it since the other members left the convention early. And Rhode Island sent nobody. This led Washington to allegedly state "The Constitution was ratified by 11 states and Colonel Hamilton."

[@andrewleah1983]

Americans still use crayons to sign their name now.

[@rebbrown7140]

​@@andrewleah1983I sure do. Surprising the rest of the world hasn't learned that yet!

[@timmccarthy9917]

A video about the aftermath of American independence, the day after the Fourth of July. Clever

[@unionofslavstanrepublics2317]

Also on the day of UK elections interestingly enough (History Matters seems to be UK based too).

[@davea6314]

We Yanks are going to finish the job John Paul Jones started in 1778 by conquering all of Limeyland. We will start our attack at Whitehaven with our final military objects to force all Limey pubs to serve all beer cold, to require able bodied Limey women to shave their legs, and forbid the offense practice of putting an letter "u" in words like color, flavor, favor, harbor, and neighbor. 🤪 -Dave the Bloody Yank

[@hailtothechi]

@@unionofslavstanrepublics2317 which was also coincidentally two days after the president was declared a king above the law

[@pisuoxide]

Ah yes, it takes a genius to come up with that idea

[@baltulielkungsgunarsmiezis9714]

Its already the 6. of july where Im at.

[@MustacheCashStash125]

Because James Bissonnette and Kelly Moneymaker became king and queen of Britain and they wanted to make a fine a addition to their collection

[@MarvelandStarWarsProductions]

😂 love this comment

[@anngarth]

I'm pledging my allegiance

[@CubeInspector]

In reality it was because the Rothschilds, who own the bank of England, also owned the united States considering it had one of their central banks from day 1 and the actual corporation United States of America.

[@Damnnnbruh]

Spinning three plates was the court jester

[@pueramericus]

Get them in the comments!!

[@toastyanon8902]

A fact I find important noting is that the British were more worried about France or Spain instead of the young USA. If Hurting the USA came at the expense of granting Colonial Spain an edge, the British would've preferred to help the USA instead of a Continental Rival.

[@peterlang777]

France and Spain were existential threats to Britain. the United States being culturally British was viewed as a lesser threat

[@chequereturned]

This is a big part of why London bankers funded the Louisiana Purchase

[@Myrtlecrack]

Fast forward a century and a half, and the UK would have missed us.

[@RoyalRegimentofScotland]

​@@chequereturnedThis will forever be in my opinion the funniest thing in british history 😂 british banks facilitated the purchase of lousiana from france which the money went to building a fleet to invade britian by france meaning britian literally funded the invasion of britian 😂

[@chequereturned]

@@RoyalRegimentofScotland *Attempted invasion ;)

[@repippeas]

There was also no need to retake America. Pomeranz's book "The Great Divergance" touches on this, there was no need for the UK to invade the US as they only needed it for its resources (rather than say, its taxes or manpower) and since the US embraced free marketeerism it could just buy these resources on the market just as before the revolution. Given that America was now self-govening and self-defending, it actually remvoed the costs for the British empire, but not the benefits. Essentially American independence was a win-win.

[@Politely_Indifferent]

This is a great way to look at it.

[@X525Crossfire]

The international humiliation notwithstanding

[@youtube_omaro1879]

The British Empire was an accidental result of profiteering companies. The British Americans never stood in the way of profit, so there was nothing to be gained with war

[@jasonwalker9471]

@@X525Crossfire To this day the people of the UK still call North America (and other places) "The Colonies". As far as the people 2 and 3 hundred years ago were concerned, the difference between an independent US (or Canada) and a centrally managed one was a minor detail. They were still British. So they didn't get the memo that they should have been embarrassed about the loss. Talking to British people over the past few decades, I've come to the conclusion that some of the anti-government back-lash we see in the UK today is a result of some portion of the the UK population JUST REALIZING that the British Empire has lost a lot of power and prestige (especially over the past 100 years), and they're effectively in mourning over that loss of global prestige. It's remarkable that they've been so insulated from any perspective other than their own that it's taken them this long to truly feel the result of hundreds of years of mismanagement.

[@mojewjewjew4420]

​@@jasonwalker9471thats bonkers, goes to show reality truly is complex

[@richardthrust1126]

If you've read Adam Smith's The Wealth of Nations, he essentially predicted everything to do with the American Revolution. The colonists would rebel, that the colonials would win their independence, and that Britain would actually benefit economically from this overall. And there were other places in the world for Britain to export its poorest and most unruly citizens without needing to pay for wars.

[@franciscoacevedo3036]

It was published in 1776

[@edwardloomis887]

​@@franciscoacevedo3036, the Continental Congress was still trying to make a deal with George III in 1776 (John Dickinson's Olive Branch Petition). Smith was right because George told Congress to pound sand.

[@unclenogbad1509]

IE, Australia, right?

[@SconnerStudios]

It was basically the Korean and Vietnam wars 200 years before they happened. People with nothing to lose will fight tooth and nail, and the colonists were being taxed at absurd rates with little social freedom.

[@richardthrust1126]

@@SconnerStudios Actually the taxes on the colonists were very light compared to the taxes levied in Britain. And that's Adam Smith's point: maintaining a military force in the colonies cost taxes on British industry which would not be necessary with free trade. Meanwhile the Americans rebelled against the monopolies in colonialism rather than taxes perse.

[@LoneWhiteMage]

“You’ll be back” -King George III

[@Based_Gigachad_001]

"They'll come crawling back to the motherland I just know it"

[@jonathanwebster7091]

@@LoneWhiteMage "why the f*** is everyone asking me about all this shit, I'm literally just here to wave and hand out medals"-King George III (in reality).

[@yourlocalfurrylandsknechtowo]

"Soon you'll see.."

[@rachelar]

He just wanted to be on the farm

[@warrenschrader7481]

"You'll remember you belong to me."

[@coltafanan]

“Everyone died for nothing.” *WWI has entered the chat*

[@ThugHunterfromIsrael]

everyone didnt die for nothing in ww1. the british got to humiliate germany for essentially no reason other than being a powerful threat, and to this day we think they were the bad guys, when they didnt even start the war!

[@michascaletta1362]

@@ThugHunterfromIsrael Invasion of Belgium, Invasion of Serbia (Austrian and German troops coordinated the attack on Belgrade). Invasion of Russia. It was Germany that started this war, without Germany's consent the Austrians would not have attacked Serbia xD Austria was a junior partner in the Germany-Austria relationship It's not that Austria attacks Serbia and Germany has its hand in the potty. Hardly, Germany was treated leniently after the First War. They were to be destroyed in the sense that there were clear plans to undo the unification of 1871 and revert to the pre-French-Prussian War borders. This would have been the best solution, and for the 123-year Germanization of Poland and taking part in its partition, all of Upper Silesia should have been given back and the eastern borders should have been rolled back to 1772. This was not done by which Germany got the opportunity to recreate its industry and the war would have been fought regardless of whether Hitler would have taken over or not.

[@dnago916]

and WW2

[@SconnerStudios]

@@dnago916 Mainly WWII. WW1 was the result of globalization. WW2 could have been prevented almost certainly if Germany didn't get treated so harshly, along with Japan, India, and Ho Chi Minh being snubbed because they weren't white. Really Versailles created the overwhelming majority of international conflicts even to this day and likely for many decades or even centuries to come. I blame the French, like I do most of hte time anyways.

[@akakanoro]

Every war ever.

[@brandonlyon730]

The Louisiana purchase probably complicated a lot things as well, especially with anything involving France.

[@scockery]

If the US hadn't bought it, then Britain would've gained it as spoil of war and surrounded the USA! Louisianada!

[@gimmethegepgun]

They did TRY to undo that in the closing days of the War of 1812 by trying to take New Orleans before the treaty got through, but they got completely obliterated by Andrew Jackson (aided by some pirates lol) because they decided to walk through a killzone with earthwork fortifications on the American side, suffering a 30-to-1 casualty ratio.

[@ladyflimflam]

@@gimmethegepgunin 1814 we took a little trip, along with col. Jackson down the mighty mississipp’-I hear there was a bacon and beans picnic along the way

[@RoyalRegimentofScotland]

​@@gimmethegepgunI mean I'm fairly sure undoing the lousiana purchase wasn't why britian fought at new Orleans.

[@Snagprophet]

It's like with Alaska and Russia. They sold it to the US so the UK couldn't have it but they ended up being enemies shortly afterwards.

[@shohan5772]

The timing is impeccable

[@trite4654]

Did something geopolitically significant just happen?

[@jjnagle]

July 4th

[@Darth_B]

@@trite4654American independence day

[@fuzionspropagandarandoms7781]

and UK General Election lol

[@chrisjones5411]

@@trite4654Supreme court of the US declared that the president is equal to a king who can do no wrong and no crimes.

[@PrestonSikes]

I always found it interesting how Virginia went from the oldest and most loyal colony, even siding with the crown during the English Civil War, just to become the seat of government in the most anti monarchy nation to exist since ancient Rome

[@person_guy3505]

Idk if we're the MOST anti monarchy, we didnt kill George the 3rd, while revolutionary France and the Soviets had no problems offing their monarchs.

[@brandonlyon730]

@@person_guy3505 Well prior to that you beheaded King Charles the 1st.

[@PrestonSikes]

@person_guy3505 in fairness to France and Russia they had their monarch right in their backyard, ours was WAAAAAAY the hell over there

[@person_guy3505]

@brandonlyon730 well, the English did. Us Yanks haven't toppled any monarchies in our own country, though of course the CIA has funded countless coups, so it's possible we're the most anti-monarchy by volume, if not by spirit.

[@Pfisiar22]

And let's be honest, the Roman Republic wasn't remotely what we'd consider a democratic republic as we know it today. It was basically an oligarchy with some quirky republic-like qualities to it. They were certainly not above authoritarian government, despite what they'd profess. seats in the senate were almost entirely based on being a member of the nobility. Voting assemblies were very weighted against the proletariat etc. And as the Republic entered its final years, it was clear that it was descending into a monarchy like system.

[@JoeSchmoer]

I'm genuinely impressed with how well you can sum up topics like this. It's both extremely simplified but also essentially the whole story at the same time.

[@stormsand9]

Before i even watch, i already know the answer: 1 "that sounds expensive" 2"we have india now"

[@brianbarker2551]

3. Napoleon

[@RobespierreThePoof]

Yeah but this channel doesn't actually do complete answers.

[@stormsand9]

@@RobespierreThePoof yeah im honestly getting a little tired of how the same jokes are always made for every country (britain: "that sounds expensive" for example) yet he only uploads 1-2 times a week. More power to History matters for making this his job but the output of the videos and the repetitive humor is not exciting me.

[@hizzlemobizzle]

3 the war of 1812

[@Sandlin22]

3: we failed twice, and there's no evidence we have the slightest chance of winning

[@HeisenbergFam]

Fun fact: USA did uno reverse card and re-colonized UK in 28 weeks later movie

[@goofycat676]

Even here too???

[@davea6314]

We Yanks are going to finish the job John Paul Jones started in 1778 by conquering all of Limeyland. We will start our attack at Whitehaven with our final military objects to force all Limey pubs to serve all beer cold, to require able bodied Limey women to shave their legs, and forbid the offense practice of putting an letter "u" in words like color, flavor, favor, harbor, and neighbor. 🤪 -Dave the Bloody Yank

[@dbz9393]

how? they recolonised it with british people from America lol

[@davea6314]

We Yanks are going to finish the job John Paul Jones started in 1778 by conquering all of Limeyland. We will start at Whitehaven with our final military objects to force all Limey pubs to serve all beer cold, to require able bodied Limey women to shave their legs, and forbid the offense practice of putting an letter "u" in words like color, flavor, favor, harbor, and neighbor. 🤪 -Dave the Bloody Yank

[@grimbutnotevil391]

In fairness to the americans: all of the British were dead, so it was more like repopulation than colonization, not like anyone was alive to object to it!

[@deater78]

Maine was part of Massachusetts back then, and after the whole taking-part-of-Maine-and-making-it-New-Ireland happened, Mainers went down to Boston and were like "help us" and the Massachusetts government was like "that sounds... expensive. good luck handling it yourself"... and that's part of why 8 years later Maine split off and became their own state

[@boobah5643]

Well, that and it made a convenient free state to maintain the slave/free balance in the Senate.

[@Ibelikemj]

Yup, and all that took was causing america to have slave states and free states. Maine being The first “free” and Missouri being The first “slave” since that and that was the process until the Kansas-Nebraska act

[@encycl07pedia-]

That sounds like typical Boston behavior.

[@foundationofBritain]

Maine was *only* part of Massachusetts from 1691 when the Province of Massachusetts Bay was formed by the merging of Massachusetts Bay Colony, the Plymouth Colony, the Province of Maine, Martha's Vineyard, Nantucket and Nova Scotia (which included New Brunswick at that time), all but Maine, Martha's Vineyard, Nantucket and Plymouth Colony reasserted their self-government from Massachusetts, and despite all attempts after 1691, Maine only managed to do it in to mid 19th century manly because of disputes over the balance of slave and free state. Sad really, Maine was the child of Sir Ferdinando Gorges (which Maine ought to have adopted his coat of arms like Maryland did with the coat of arms of Baron Baltimore), and alas, his vision for New England never came to pass, and the coat of arms of the Council for New England would slap hard as the coat of arms of New England, in fact New England ought to adopt the coat of arms of the Council for New England as the coat of arms of New England.

[@americanminotaur2518]

@@foundationofBritainHe DOES have a cool Coat of Arms. I’m from Maine and I’ve never heard of this guy.

[@YunielRuane]

To put it succinctly, they didn't often get the chance, and when they did, they didn't take it since they had other priorities.

[@gregory-of-tours]

That final shot of the Union Jack covering the American map stirred something deep in my Canadian heart

[@Iason29]

The disappointment that the flag was not Canadas

[@rorychivers8769]

Wot you reckon, shall we team up and have another go at it?

[@oi-cj1pz]

​@@rorychivers8769 You'll have to get your autonomy level up enough to do that though. I recommend snatching victory points from the Americans in their wars and garrisoning land for them

[@Adonnus100]

@@rorychivers8769 The war will last for 5 minutes, with Canadian help though it will last for 10 minutes

[@rorychivers8769]

@@Adonnus100 Only because the UK and Canada will both be far too polite to go first, and we'll have to do the "sorry" dance

[@NJFireDepartment]

Only time I have heard him say "Well, Yes."

[@silenthunteruk]

Great visual pun too.

[@georgeamesfort3408]

"Dont you miss the old days?" "I guess lol" "Come back to us" "Ugh..." "We'll drive on the right" We'll take the u out of colour" "Please leave"

[@pyrinikos3477]

“Security!”

[@JCDFlex]

"And we'll call it aluminium just to p*** you off!" xP

[@Briselance]

​@@JCDFlex Aluminium? That's actually the correct spelling. 😁

[@nevets2371]

​@@Briselance technically, the guy who named it wanted to call it alumium, so we're both wrong

[@JCDFlex]

@@nevets2371 Technically all three are correct. Sir Humphry called it alumium, then aluminum and then he settled on aluminium. Thx Sir Humphry for kickstarting the spelling wars in 1807.

[@Chief4Army117]

1:24- Love how Hamilton just scribbled his name and a smiley face on the paper!

[@GolemTheUkrainian]

Alexander Hamilton. My name is Alexander Hamilton.

[@zarkox8384]

Best day possible to publish this video

[@PROVOCATEURSK]

Celebrating 40% tax, then another 10%+ on all purchases, glorious.

[@oi-cj1pz]

Only thing that would've made it better would be the changing of the video title to, "Why were the UK never able to retake the US?"

[@hellenicboi14]

1:07 there actually was a Baron of Baltimore until 1771. They pretty much governed Maryland like petty kings until the last one died penniless.

[@DinoDev_OG]

But he served under the king, didn't he?

[@hellenicboi14]

@@DinoDev_OG Landed nobility don't "serve" the king like the court does. They just pay him his taxes and follow his laws. Besides that they can do whatever they want in their own territory.

[@DinoDev_OG]

@@hellenicboi14 that's what I meant, a feudal lord gives taxes, but other than that their land is their land, I could've phrased it better. The point is, by American nobility he mean the united states. In 1771 the the people in Maryland considered themselves british (they basically were) so he is british nobility

[@hellenicboi14]

@@DinoDev_OG Ah, fair point. I get what you meant and you are right.

[@masterspark9880]

Their banner of arms is now the flag of Maryland

[@penguinrevolution9041]

The quality of the visuals and animation in this video is great, this really feels like one of the highest production videos you've made

[@herrzimm]

Another factor to consider: After the war of 1812, the US Navy's firepower was on full display after dealing with the Barbary Pirates. As such, knowing that the USA had a FUNCTIONAL navy that had considerable firepower packed into their ships (although limited in number) actually made any effort to transport troops or supplies to America even more difficult than during the Revolution. Meaning that despite having a far superior number of ships flying the UK flag, it was a question of numbers vs strength, which (at the time) the UK wasn't willing to risk due to European interests, for an effort to sail 1/2 way around the world and possibly lose ships that would be needed closer to home.

[@taemien9219]

Britain had an interesting policy that lasted pretty much until the 1940s where they would get hostile towards any navy that could rival their own. After the War of 1812, they determined that while American Naval power was potent, it wasn't exactly close enough to be a threat. They were pretty sure the US wouldn't want to make a try on their home territory. However... Europe was another story, and was part of the reason Britain got involved in WW1 against Germany.

[@RoyalRegimentofScotland]

Tbh the US navy literally couldn't hold a candle to the royal navy. If they went to war in this time period again the US navy would stand no chance

[@richdobbs6595]

I think most folks have a mistaken idea of how well the battle with the Barbary States went for America. Some of the high points include burning our own captured ship, to prevent it being used against us. And paying ransom for its sailors. There was certainly some impressive actions and tribute payments were ended, but it was ended with a treaty, not an outright victory. I think its primary effect on European sensibilities was that if the Americans with their puny navy can accomplish that, just think what we could do! Shortly, thereafter North Africa was split between Spain, France, Italy, and Britain. Winning for America.

[@rajkaranvirk7525]

Britain would’ve clobbered the American navy during that time. So I disagree with your assessment

[@adamsfusion]

@@rajkaranvirk7525 And for what? An attritioned naval fleet half a year from home during one of the hottest flashpoints in European history? Winning is about more than being the more powerful side. It means nothing when your defense is on loan in a war that could predicate on a single fleet being missing.

[@marshalt]

The American Revolution, as taught to UK school children. "After several years of hard, bloody fighting, we finally managed to kick those no-good yanks out of our empire forever! This allowed us to focus on Africa, the middle east, and India, all of which went fantastic!"

[@TheIceman567]

Then you limey's got kicked out of there.

[@isotropisch82]

You might be surprised to learn that the American Revolution is not taught in British schools at all, we don't care about it and it plays no role in our national history or identity. Half of us wouldn't be able to tell you what century it happened in. Sorry. For us it was Tuesday. For you it was a big deal. Sorry.

[@glockspeedgaming5072]

“Great” is… subjective. Very subjective.

[@jonathanwebster7091]

@@glockspeedgaming5072 great?

[@Iason29]

I don't know if you are making this up. I did both IGCSE and GCSE History and the American Revolution is not even a subject in British education.

[@Briselance]

01:43 "Well, yes." Nice visual pun here.

[@valmid5069]

Can’t wait for more historical content from this channel!

[@INFINITY-oe4is]

As a Brit i can see why the American British would rebel against the old empire! British people from the UK even sailed over to fight against there leaders! Still impresses me how an island took over so much territory!

[@edwardloomis887]

The Americans' best propagandist was English: Tom Paine. Best ship captain: John Paul Jones, a Scot. Unfortunately, Charles Lee wasn't as accomplished as a general.

[@Paddythelaad]

Because so many Irish were over there, that's why it started in Boston, and over tea.

[@foundationofBritain]

@@Paddythelaad Boston was then, like all the 13 colonies, overwhelmingly *English* and that was still the case up until the mass immigration of Irish to Boston in the mid to late 19th century.

[@prophetsnake]

Thank you for illuminating how Brexit happened.

[@Solitas777]

Funnily enough if the Empire had granted some representation in parliament the colonies probably wouldn't have rebelled. The slogan, no taxation without representation, was popular for the time. I think the empire saw the colonials as uncivilized barbarians and were horrified at the thought .😅

[@15oClock]

In brief, rarely did they have a chance, and when they did, they didn’t pursue it because they had other things to worry about.

[@DisgruntledHippo]

Thought you were gone. Glad to see you again.

[@Iason29]

Weird you say that, He's never gone

[@TheSilkKing1]

Cue King George singing “You’ll Be Back”.

[@JohnPretty1]

Typical American thinking George III was in charge in 1776.

[@Apoorvathegreat]

He was genius, George III reigned from 1760-1820. ​@@JohnPretty1

[@zombyninja2576]

​@JohnPretty1 it's from a musical 😂

[@TheSilkKing1]

@@JohnPretty1 You mean, correctly? George III was pretty active in pushing for the continuation of war. He wouldn’t really have his mental break until after the Revolution. With a brief flare up in 1765 before that. But that’s 9 years before the Revolution and so inapplicable here.

[@TheSilkKing1]

It’s also from a musical yes.

[@_Queen_Marika]

Yeah when i was younger I was genuinely scared the British would retake the US and force feed us their best brand of tea called "Urinal"

[@moblinmajorgeneral]

The last attempt Britain ever made against American territory was San Juan Island during the Pig War. However with political maneuvering by Winfield Scott, the negotiations for it were delayed long enough to fight the Civil War, after which it was given to the US in arbitration.

[@ilovemuslimfood666]

“I’m covered in poo, and I’m the happiest man alive!” 🐖

[@RMProjects785]

Also the UK did make plans for war with the USA in the early 1900s, but it was moreso a strategy of "how do we defend Canada" than gaining territory.

[@davea6314]

We Yanks are going to finish the job John Paul Jones started in 1778 by conquering all of Limeyland. We will start our attack at Whitehaven with our final military objects to force all Limey pubs to serve all beer cold, to require able bodied Limey women to shave their legs, and forbid the offense practice of putting an letter "u" in words like color, flavor, favor, harbor, and neighbor. 🤪 -Dave the Bloody Yank

[@brcyca]

One of the best cases of when cooler heads prevailed, and avoided a costly war, particularly given the outcome in 1814.

[@chequereturned]

That’s if you consider it to have been American territory to begin with. San Juan is ours. 🇬🇧 😡 🐷

[@JDSileo]

2:38 Don't touch our boats.

[@alanpennie]

The standard US casus belli strikes again.

[@AnimeSunglasses]

"BEING CHEAP!" Most British second of animation ever.

[@douglassun8456]

Thanks to this channel, "soon" is now one of my favorite words.

[@NobleGamer889]

You know its a good day when history matters upload🔥🔥🔥

[@AliKhan-sc2tn]

best history channel

[@LedosKell]

"Business was booming..." "...and the cannons were not." -Uncle Sam and John Bull

[@joesomebody3365]

Entertaining video and well timed, thanks for answering so many of these questions in an entertaining way.

[@JA432123]

I had always wondered why Britain basically left us alone after the war of 1812. I love the almost crayon like signature you gave Hamilton

[@franciscoacevedo3036]

The UK shamelessly manufactured and sold ships to the Loseracy in fact it was Theo. Roosevelt's uncle who was working behind the scenes trying to acquire the ships for the south. All in all he chose to stay in the UK and Teddy Roosevelt unlike Bill Clinton pardoning his brother would never issue him a pardon

[@RealUlrichLeland]

The British empire was almost entirely driven by profit. As soon as America became more trouble than it was worth it became undesirable.

[@bruno5137]

Because we arrogantly assumed Britain would always be the most powerful country on earth, so we didn't see the USA overtaking us. But now Pax Americana is basically Pax Britannia continued (i.e. a global rules based system promoting free trade upheld by overwhelming military power), so we're both doing very well from all of it I'd say.

[@mrquirky3626]

It's interesting the different takes on the War of 1812. Americans always seem to celebrate it as their first official chance to stand up to a foreign power and show that their young country wasn't going to back down to anyone. The Star Spangled Banner is even written about a battle in that war and is sung at every sporting event and patriotic gathering ever since. But to Britain, it was just an annoyance that happened while they were already at war with bigger threats like Russia and Napoleon. It would have been like if during World War II, while the US military was busy focusing all their forces on Hitler in Europe and Japan in the Pacific, Mexico decided to try to take back Texas by attacking the border. Truman or Roosevelt would have been like "Really? Like we don't have enough problems right now"

[@sameedchowdhury2896]

​@@mrquirky3626The Nazis asked Mexico to join them during WWII. Mexico said no because even a distracted USA would still beat Mexicos ass.

[@cannonball666]

Because Britain didn't want to break their contract with Dolley Madison whose cupcakes replaced crumpets.

[@theemirofjaffa2266]

Excuse me, what? 🤔

[@TheDragonKing048]

Ive already seen this answered before but you covered so many more points that are over looked and even some hidden details and you did it in less then 3 minutes such good content.

[@carlireland5049]

The British also wanted to create an independent Native American state in the Northwest Territory (Ohio, Michigan, Wisconsin, Illinois, Indiana) to serve as buffer against another U.S. invasion of Canada.

[@RoyalRegimentofScotland]

Unfortunately the US then literally obliterated the tribes so that wasn't possible

[@shadewolf0075]

@@RoyalRegimentofScotland that and Britain lost any ground they had in the territory and failed to secure any leverage to force the US to give up any land

[@RoyalRegimentofScotland]

@@shadewolf0075 Britian didn't own any ground in the territory that was supposed to become a native state anyway. It was territory of the natives. During the war the US army walked in and practically destroyed the place and the rest of the natives fled into actual british territory in Canada. There was no need for the plan anymore as the natives weren't there anymore neither did britian actually want US territory anyway.

[@shadewolf0075]

@@RoyalRegimentofScotland well it was more or less that the US was in effective control of the territory but Britain and Tecumseh’s confederacy failed to take and hold any ground there

[@RoyalRegimentofScotland]

@@shadewolf0075 Britian could've pushed to have the US recede the territory back, but it simply made no sense by that point as the natives had already fractured and fled to british North America in 1813 and made no attempts to go back and retake it.

[@DanBacksIide]

Love these videos

[@AugustusHistory]

Love this video idea!!

[@josephmoffatt4696]

It was very appropriate that you posted this video one day after July 4th.

[@ianrogerburton1670]

Fascinating. So often we view History in Retrospect rather than finding original source material about what the people and their politicians were actually thinking at the time.

[@n.s.mcmahon6180]

Because James Bissonette moved to the U.S. in 1813.

[@mariobadia4553]

They were too busy arresting people for carrying the legend of zelda letter openers

[@flawyerlawyertv7454]

Hi! Thanks for this video. 😀

[@jediroya6810]

1:26 impressed at your knowledge of Papal Avignon, Salm and Montbeliard.

[@nicolaso.8666]

0:04 "The British were somewhat unhappy." You don't say....War of 1812, Tecumseh's War (Britain sent weapons to Tecumseh's confederacy), Support for the CSA (Alabama Claims), San Juan Islands dispute (Pig War), etc.

[@rajkaranvirk7525]

War of 1812 started due to America declaring war. Plus San Juan (Pig War) was a dispute about what those specific islands belonged too. Neither of those two events are a sign of Britain wanting the entirety of USA

[@PotatoSalad614]

"support for the csa"

[@redrick8900]

@@rajkaranvirk7525 War of 1812 started due to the British desperate to restock their navy kidnapping US citizens.

[@pmalone4]

0:53 Holy GOD, dude! I had to pause after that. Damn, that was dark even for you. 😅

[@chequereturned]

I didn’t even notice what it actually showed until your comment.

[@oliversherman2414]

Great video as always 👍

[@MartinAhlman]

I enjoy all your episodes!

[@thunderwave89]

Because Anthony Beckett didn't want them to

[@zico739]

“Jefferson is deported.” Peak Federalist.

[@simbachvazo6530]

Those tricorn hats are truly incredible.

[@Elaiyel]

Always fascinating, thanks History Matters!

[@vansglitches1192]

Could you make Bistro on why Sri Lanka isn't a part of India?

[@_t11b_]

because james bisonette was in the us at the time

[@bonaggy]

I think a lot of people forget that the British Empire was foremost a mercantile one and had other irons in the fire, so to speak. Around that time, Britain was focused on expanding its market network further into India and beyond where it could source exotic goods. Our exports to the New World colonies made that life possible and enabled them to have a high standard of living. IIRC, America imported 80% of its manufactured goods from Britain prior to the war. In return, America exported cash crops; fish, rice, tobacco, and wood among others. Apart from the Seven Years War and the Revolutionary War; most of the British focus was on expanding markets in India. I think cooler heads in Britain prevailed; we’d lost the American colonies, the effort to try and take it back was logistically and financially excessive; we had a significant market there still and our traders wanted to instead develop that into a major trading partner, which war would obviously interfere with. In the Treaty of Paris, Britain took quite a far-sighted approach and concluded it with this future trade in mind. We were not getting the colonies back, we settled borders (as we understood them at the time), and both countries continued to benefit from the trade. Much to France’s chagrin, no doubt. They had invested a lot into the American Revolution that they really couldn’t afford. I think they’d been banking on becoming the major US trade partner on its independence. It didn’t happen. Of course, with their own efforts to raise taxes to pay for their involvement led to their own revolutionary problems. There will always be those in both governments who wanted to see each other fail, of course there were, but the majority within their respective governments realised that the better option was to put the war behind them and go with enlightened self interest: focusing on the option that benefitted them the most.

[@user-rp8eh7gr5i]

Nice touch with the Magritte painting.

[@scottnorris7052]

Good timing 🦅 🇺🇸

[@PROVOCATEURSK]

How much are you taxes when you count income tax, property tax, sales tax etc? 60%+? That´s not freedom but tyranny.

[@PotatoSalad614]

The US republic will probably collapse in 10 years at this rate. An armed insurrection in the capital every time a president is elected

[@ronniemcdonnie127]

Short answer: The US didn’t have enough tea to warrant an invasion.

[@muhammadhabibieamiro3639]

Another amazing video

[@SmilingIbis]

Breaking up may be hard to do, but after reunifying, the next breakup is usually the nastiest.

[@gyo900]

Because James Bissonette was defending the United States.

[@maddrone7814]

Possible video idea Why did Grover Cleveland get elected, then lose an election to then turn around and win the election after that? So far, he’s the only president to have won his initial election, lose reelection then get reelected

[@maddrone7814]

He also won the popular vote all 3 times as well, which makes it more interesting in my opinion

[@lyokianhitchhiker]

There’s a chance that’ll happen to Trump. If it does, we’re screwed.

[@maddrone7814]

@@lyokianhitchhiker I’m no Trump fan, but it’s clear Biden hasn’t been running the country. Are you sure Trump is the worse option?

[@maddrone7814]

@@lyokianhitchhiker I’m not Trump fan but it’s clear Biden hasn’t been running the country. Are you sure he’s the worse option?

[@maddrone7814]

@@lyokianhitchhiker I’m not a Trump fan but it’s clear Bi-Den hasn’t been running the country. Are you sure he’s the worse of the two options?

[@brucequinn]

I love the closing picture in homage to Magritte, with the man in the bowler hat and the green apple.

[@WompWompWoooomp]

"London's primary concern was the redrawing of the map in Europe to prevent future wars becoming Britain's problem." This worked out flawlessly, I'm sure.

[@Toonrick12]

To be fair, it did. Kind of.

[@essaboselin5252]

The Pax Britannica - British peace - lasted nearly a century, so they did a decent enough job of it.

[@Simoky99]

well, it did create the 'Concert of Europe'/100 years of peace (1814-1914) after Napoleon was overthrown, with no major wars between europeans happening... until the Germans happened.. twice

[@ravenwilder4099]

@@essaboselin5252 "Britain has had the same foreign policy objective for at least the last 500 years: to create a disunited Europe. In that cause, we have fought with the Dutch against the Spanish, with the Germans against the French, with the French and Italians against the Germans, and with the French against the Germans and Italians. Divide and rule, you see." - Sir Humphrey Appleby

[@wander7326]

@@Simoky99 cof cof, Crimean War cof cof

[@josephsarra4320]

Video suggestion: How does the United States react to the French Revolutionary & Napoleonic Wars? (Why didn't the US get involved in the wars?)

[@deriznohappehquite]

With the War of 1812.

[@navyseal1689]

US never cared about European war till WW1

[@f.scottwalters7349]

Good episode. Love the cartoon version of the Rene Magritte at the end.

[@ohger1]

Romp through the daisies.. made my day!

[@jasonjimerson7046]

A good topic to talk about on 4th of July weekend.

[@breadcat0469]

0 views in 15 seconds? That makes sense.

[@TripleR250]

When it came to North America, Britain was more interested in the Canadian NorthWest Passage which was supposed to be a route to trade with Asia, the USA was not worth reconquering for a costly war.

[@dmdeester]

Calling Dr. Howard Dr. Fine Dr. Howard has to be you're best Patreon name yet.

[@geosultan4]

Huh, the context of the British ruling class having experienced the English Civil Wars, Cromwell’s Commonwealth, and the drift back to monarchy is something I hadn’t thought of before.

[@JohnPretty1]

Except that the UK is a constitutional monarchy not an absolute monarchy. Ie, the monarch is a paper tiger.

[@foundationofBritain]

@@JohnPretty1 You don't understand monarchy. England is a parliamentary monarchy and has been since the middle ages and our King is not a "paper tiger", England has never been an absolute monarchy i.e. the monarch unconstrained by any constitutions or legislatures, the closest was Charles I of England with him attempting to establish an absolutist government for which he then lost two Civil War over and sadly, his head. Monarchy is more than just a monarch, if that was the case then it would just be like a dictatorship i.e. mealy held together by a strongman collapsing every time the strongman dies, like Cromwell and his Protectorate, for every Oliver... you have Richard.

[@foundationofBritain]

Fist of all *English* ruling class. Second of all, there were three regimes during the interregnum, the first Commonwealth regime which lasted form 1649-53, then the Protectorate which lasted from December 1653 to May 1659, and last was the second Commonwealth regime which lasted from May 1659 to May 1660. The first Commonwealth regime was just that non-functioning that it ended up being dismantled in December 1653 and the the Protectorate established in its place with Cromwell as Lord Protector (a medieval English title for a regent) until his death in 1658. Richard Cromwell (his son) inherited the title of Lord Protector, he got deposed by the Army in May 1659. The Protectorate was the only regime that was the most stable and long lasting out of the three regimes of the interregnum, but like all dictatorships, they are only held together by a strongman collapsing every time the strongman dies, as authority is personal not institutional, unlike monarchy. With Richard deposed in May 1659 the Rump Parliament was recalled and set about dismantling the Protectorate, this resulted in again a non-functioning state, and its this problem that resulted in a Restoration, two non-functioning states and a state that only function by the personality of Oliver Cromwell (who was now dead), only real option, Restoration of the monarchy.

[@geosultan4]

​@@foundationofBritain buddy slow down. I didn't ask for a dry recap of the Commonwealth that didn't really do anything but expand on an asterisk. And I said "British" in context of by 1776 it was Britain, not England.

[@Donjuanantoine]

I love this mans ability to discuss history with humor.

[@Elaiyel]

Thanks!

[@SATXbassplayer]

Fascinating…!

[@TorIverWilhelmsen]

War of 1812 Britain: "Nice presidential residence you've got here, too bad if something should happen to it." President: "What do you mean?" Britain: "Houses... burn."

[@TheIceman567]

Then At Baltimore nice ships hate to see you run...

[@Ultimaton100]

Then a big storm blew in and killed more British troops than they lost in the march on Washington. Divine punishment?

[@jonbaxter2254]

I imagine it was just not worth it. We had all Canada. We had the West Indied. We moved towards India which had brighter dividends. Plus, we traded with America right after, so may have been a blessing.

[@harrynewiss4630]

The West Indies were far more valuable at the time. That's an important point the video misses I think.

[@redrick8900]

@@harrynewiss4630 That's a BS talking point. The lumber and gold alone were worth more than anything coming out of India.

[@harrynewiss4630]

@@redrick8900 sorry the data is very clear. Reve

[@redrick8900]

@@harrynewiss4630 Like you looked at any data. I have.

[@griffinwyndowe9388]

A large reason for the war of 1812 was also that the British traded with indigenous groups while America almost exclusively fought with them to take land by force, after the war they stopped trading with them altogether

[@KrioeLrin]

The ideal day to release this video

[@helwrecht1637]

Britian actually did get land out of the war of 1812. Britain received the better half of the Niagara Falls that Canada uses to power its cities even today.

[@shadewolf0075]

Uh they already had that. The treaty of Ghent was basically the US and UK returning to the borders before the war

[@ryanb45]

It was apart of Canada before the war. Though had the American invasions of Upper Canada been more successful in the War 1812 than its quite possible the falls would be entirely American.

[@kevinbergin9971]

The Falls is much prettier from the Canadian side.

[@TransformersBoss]

I bet the answer is “money”

[@NaimoAqio]

The acquisition of Louisiana likely added to the complexity of matters, particularly when it came to matters with France.

[@movigold9896]

Muito obrigado pelo vídeo! 🇵🇹

[@Eeve3_Lord]

Because James Bissonette expressly forbid it

[@connorgolden4]

Because James Bisonette said no.