Charles Cornwallis: The Man Who Lost the American Colonies

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  • Опубліковано 4 чер 2024
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    Source/Further reading:
    Oxford Dictionary of National Biography, in-depth (paywall): doi.org/10.1093/ref:odnb/6338
    Britannica overview: www.britannica.com/biography/...
    History of the Stamp Act: www.history.com/topics/americ...
    Primer on the Revolutionary War: www.history.com/topics/americ...
    Bio of Sir Henry Clinton: www.nps.gov/people/henry-clin...
    Revolutions Podcast, Cornwallis in the Carolinas: thehistoryofrome.typepad.com/...
    Revolutions Podcast, Cornwallis at Yorktown: thehistoryofrome.typepad.com/...

КОМЕНТАРІ • 1,1 тис.

  • @Biographics
    @Biographics  3 роки тому +51

    The first 100 people to go to www.blinkist.com/biographics will get unlimited access for one week to try it out. You’ll also get 25% off if you want the full membership.

    • @sleepydoghistory9994
      @sleepydoghistory9994 3 роки тому +5

      each of your video teach me more than my whole history class

    • @RodolfoGaming
      @RodolfoGaming 3 роки тому +3

      Helen Keller?

    • @starchildone4871
      @starchildone4871 3 роки тому +3

      Do a video about Spanish civil war, or at least of German involvent in it. Condor Legion is interesting, or explain long period of fashism in Spain.

    • @mijicmugendo
      @mijicmugendo 3 роки тому +2

      Ireland never joined a union with England. English people in Ireland voted for it because Irish people where not allowed to vote

    • @tommothedog
      @tommothedog 3 роки тому +2

      Are you the new minister for american propoganda?

  • @abigfish1620
    @abigfish1620 3 роки тому +532

    You know, his story is actually kind of sad. He was a decent man, sensible, loyal to his country and tried his best to do the right thing. You can see his quality in how he tried to reconcile the Ireland debacle, and his frustrations with how it turned out. Also the fact that his wife, whom he actually married for love, died of illness while he was off on campaign is a tragedy. I genuinely feel for him.

    • @danielboggan2479
      @danielboggan2479 3 роки тому +12

      He was a bit of a dick to the Carolinians, he burned a lot of Baptist and presbyteries churches

    • @alrox1
      @alrox1 3 роки тому +28

      Agreed! What he did in India is appalling, but seems like in the American Revolution he was just dealt a bad hand. I think he did try to do the right thing in Ireland--it was a very progressive thing to do in that era to try to get different religions to cooperate towards a common goal--it was only the dishonesty of those above him that caused it to fail. It had to suck achieving success just to have the rug pulled out from under him by his own king.

    • @danielboggan2479
      @danielboggan2479 3 роки тому +2

      @Jake Stout unless you don’t count journals from people of the time period there absolutely is. Mainly Baptist and Presbyterian churches in the Deep South colonies

    • @danielboggan2479
      @danielboggan2479 3 роки тому +6

      @Jake Stout yes, yes there is. St Phillips church in Brunswick North Carolina. They also burned the whole town of Russelburough shortly thereafter.
      Do some research before spouting off

    • @danielboggan2479
      @danielboggan2479 3 роки тому +2

      @Jake Stout you can’t cite a source for that, because it’s not true.
      Colenel Rawdon of the British army burned every Presbyterian and Baptist Church he encountered in the Carolinas and Georgia because they “ Are workshops of seditions”
      Barnastre Tarleton burned several himself, as did Patrick Ferguson. Eventually even 7 Anglican churches were burned in the south

  • @ryanh4499
    @ryanh4499 3 роки тому +391

    I've always wondered about Cornwallis, in America we heard his name many times in history class but never really knew much about him. Thank you for posting this video!

    • @eurodoc6343
      @eurodoc6343 3 роки тому +22

      Yes, he's probably the one British General most Americans schoolchildren can name (Sorry, Marlborough and Wellington).

    • @michaelterrell5061
      @michaelterrell5061 3 роки тому +11

      @@eurodoc6343 I can name wellington, John Churchill, Henry Clinton, Sir Douglas Haig etc and I'm in the 8th grade.

    • @Samm815
      @Samm815 3 роки тому +1

      @@michaelterrell5061 Must have changed some stuff. Also i only know wellington cause of waterloo (and steak), churchill cause of churchill, clinton cause of clinton, and haig sound familiar.

    • @Samm815
      @Samm815 3 роки тому +1

      @@eurodoc6343 Sorry General Cigarette and General Steak!

    • @michaelterrell5061
      @michaelterrell5061 3 роки тому

      @@Samm815 What must have changed?

  • @marquisdelafayette1929
    @marquisdelafayette1929 3 роки тому +1047

    He lost because I’m awesome, duh! 🤩 😎

    • @YodaSmokes
      @YodaSmokes 3 роки тому +95

      You have been waiting for this huh? 😂

    • @aurumsultan7319
      @aurumsultan7319 3 роки тому +11

      Lol

    • @aurumsultan7319
      @aurumsultan7319 3 роки тому +36

      @@YodaSmokes he's been waiting for something like this for 4 years lol

    • @marquisdelafayette1929
      @marquisdelafayette1929 3 роки тому +110

      @@YodaSmokes Technically I have been waiting 263 years.. but who’s counting? 😉

    • @atomic_wait
      @atomic_wait 3 роки тому +50

      @@marquisdelafayette1929 You're a real bro, Marquis, really appreciate what you did for my country. Can I call you Marq? Is that too much?

  • @SuperPiratesfan
    @SuperPiratesfan 3 роки тому +163

    I had a history professor in college who once characterize the stamp act as “imagine if you had to pay a fee every time you wanted to use Wi-Fi on your phone anywhere for any reason.” I’ll never forget the horrified silence that settled over the classroom, and this one guy a few seats behind me even muttered “I would murder someone.”

    • @GuinessOriginal
      @GuinessOriginal 3 роки тому +9

      That will come

    • @metfan099
      @metfan099 3 роки тому +18

      This type of thing happening nowadays is not unfathomable. For instance, Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg has suggested that, as more electric vehicles replace gasoline vehicles, the way to supplement the decrease in gas tax funds is to tax people for the amount of miles driven in their vehicles. Government overreach will continue to escalate until the people decide to put an end to it. What the American revolutionaries decided to do is one option.

    • @mbryson2899
      @mbryson2899 3 роки тому +14

      @@metfan099 , how do you think roads get built and maintained? Taxes.
      I'm not a Buttigieg fan, but taxing those who use the resource makes sense.
      What would you suggest?

    • @revanofkorriban1505
      @revanofkorriban1505 3 роки тому +4

      Most people did not really get affected by the Stamp Act. A lot of the stuff that was taxed by it wasn't something the average colonist would use. Those who were worst-affected, the press, kicked enough of a fuss about it to make it into a problem.

    • @jamesholden6142
      @jamesholden6142 3 роки тому +8

      @@mbryson2899 stop giving our tax money to foreign countries and wasting it on trillion-dollar money-laundering schemes disguised as covid relief would be a good start

  • @ViniciusKRISCHKE
    @ViniciusKRISCHKE 3 роки тому +150

    Léo Major, French-Canadian soldier who almost single-handedly liberated the Dutch city of Zwolle in WWII.

  • @aalam5747
    @aalam5747 3 роки тому +330

    Cornwallis: the man who lost America, then took his revenge in India

    • @JonManProductions
      @JonManProductions 3 роки тому +41

      And then got kicked in the nuts in Ireland.

    • @nothingtoospiffy7913
      @nothingtoospiffy7913 3 роки тому +12

      @@JonManProductions did he? I haven't heard about that.

    • @CatnamedMittens
      @CatnamedMittens 3 роки тому +12

      Man he really was average haha

    • @tobydawes6007
      @tobydawes6007 3 роки тому +7

      to be fair to the guy England was fighting to other wars as well as the sideshow in America so couldn't focus purely on America plus the logistics involved in supplying the forces in America.

    • @rahultiwari-dx8qo
      @rahultiwari-dx8qo 3 роки тому

      Lord Cornwallis,isn't that him?

  • @trisgilmour
    @trisgilmour 3 роки тому +164

    That’s a fair summary of him “being average and not being above average “

    • @Warpath1337
      @Warpath1337 3 роки тому +5

      So much more than average.

  • @tonymondelli1732
    @tonymondelli1732 3 роки тому +182

    Honestly he sounds like the right man at the wrong time. Decent guy just put into positions he really didn’t care for or want but was told to anyways.

    • @Dubmaster3
      @Dubmaster3 3 роки тому +19

      That's what I got out of this too. It seems he tried to do what he believed and it was stacked against him and ordered to do the opposite.

    • @alexanderforsman2166
      @alexanderforsman2166 3 роки тому +15

      Yeah, seems like in another life he could’ve been an early reformist politician. There’s something melancholic about a decent but mediocre life like his.

    • @freefall9832
      @freefall9832 3 роки тому

      I benifit from his incompetence haha wrong man in the right place at the right time

    • @richardlahan7068
      @richardlahan7068 3 роки тому +1

      Military officers can't pick their wars.

    • @tonymondelli1732
      @tonymondelli1732 3 роки тому

      @@richardlahan7068 exactly what I’m saying. They just do as they’re told.

  • @linaiisaye8357
    @linaiisaye8357 3 роки тому +64

    "failing upwards", is my favourite phrase in the entire video.

  • @BygoneChina
    @BygoneChina 3 роки тому +239

    The Royal Navy ship HSM Cornwallis was named in honour of Charles Cornwallis. This ship was instrumental in the defeat of China in the First Opium War, and it was aboard the HMS Cornwallis that representatives from the British and Qing Empires negotiated and signed the Treaty of Nanking, which is considered the start of China's century of humiliation.

    • @taylorlibby7642
      @taylorlibby7642 3 роки тому +17

      Good thing he wasn't commanding that ship ; )

    • @ShannonCarter55
      @ShannonCarter55 3 роки тому +30

      Should send the ship back to Hong Kong and humiliate the Chinese Communist Party.

    • @mikepatrick5909
      @mikepatrick5909 3 роки тому +2

      @@ShannonCarter55 lol

    • @michaelterrell5061
      @michaelterrell5061 3 роки тому +2

      Eh it wasn't really a century of humiliation. They still had arguably the greatest economy in the world and within a few years turned a country in the middle ages(probably before that honestly) into an industrial and military powerhouse especially after they beat Japan.

    • @ShannonCarter55
      @ShannonCarter55 3 роки тому +3

      @@michaelterrell5061 brutal as the Japanese were on the Chinese (and rather sickening), the CCP still take the cake.

  • @manuelacosta9463
    @manuelacosta9463 3 роки тому +75

    The Irony of him being against those acts that led to unrest in the colonies that would eventually erupted into the US war for independence. One has to wonder if he recalled that as Yorktown devolved into defeat and surrender.

    • @CatnamedMittens
      @CatnamedMittens 3 роки тому +9

      He was probably staring at the battlefield with glass eyes like "goddamnit"

    • @manuelacosta9463
      @manuelacosta9463 3 роки тому +7

      @@CatnamedMittens Lol too true. The fact that he never left his tent until the very end means he probably had a breakdown or something.

    • @CatnamedMittens
      @CatnamedMittens 3 роки тому +2

      @@manuelacosta9463 yeah

    • @thunderbird1921
      @thunderbird1921 3 роки тому +5

      From what I've read, there were also at least a sizable handful of parliament members who opposed the no representation taxation. They must have been yelling "You **** IDIOTS!" at PM Lord North and his staff by the time Yorktown rolled around. A completely avoidable war that devastated Britain's empire and lost the American colonies forever (and sour relations for DECADES afterward).

    • @SpitfireMLG
      @SpitfireMLG 3 роки тому +4

      @@thunderbird1921 It didn't devastate the empire but the war was incredibly unpopular with the British public and even Parliament. It dragged out for so long because of George III. The war could have probably been won for Britain but it would have been costly for Britain and to not much gain. The 13 colonies were relatively worthless in relation to the West Indian colonies and their protection and governance were somewhat expensive. The British actually gained economically after the war because they could continue trading with America without having to sustain it.

  • @timetraveltvniles7650
    @timetraveltvniles7650 3 роки тому +42

    Cornwallis lived a few miles away from where I live. His house is gone now but the gate house of his estate is still there and is now a pub.

    • @RCAvhstape
      @RCAvhstape 3 роки тому +2

      I used to live a few miles away from Brandywine Battlefield, part of which is preserved as a Pennsylvania state park with a visitor center museum and often reenactment battles.

    • @lisasmith516
      @lisasmith516 3 роки тому +6

      I have a new respect for Cornwallis. Despite his "failures," he was humane. I believe I will have the honor of meeting him in Heaven. Lisa Rae Rousseau 🤗💯

    • @Britspence381
      @Britspence381 3 роки тому +3

      My paternal family is from Yorktown. The papers of capitulation were drawn up in my 22nd or 23rd ggrandfather's house, the 'Moore House', now on the Yorktown Tour. I know, big deal...At least you know my last name now.

    • @freefall9832
      @freefall9832 3 роки тому +1

      Gates of mediocrity

  • @Taistelukalkkuna
    @Taistelukalkkuna 3 роки тому +16

    Now I have this image of Cornwallis chasing Washington, with Yakety sax playing.

  • @dulio12385
    @dulio12385 3 роки тому +74

    For someone so mediocre, Cornwallis lived a fairly extraordinary life, even as a supporting actor to greater events.
    Can't really blame a guy for losing a war where he was outnumbered 20 to 1.

    • @oxtheunlikelycontemplator2682
      @oxtheunlikelycontemplator2682 3 роки тому +21

      It's because he wasn't mediocre. Even in his most ardent critics paint as a great logistics officer and military engineer. Yorktown also might never fallen if he had received the reinforcements which he requested well multiple times and held out for before finally surrendering.

    • @RobertLee-wi5kc
      @RobertLee-wi5kc 9 місяців тому

      No try 2 to 1 in numbers.

  • @w0lfr0gue53
    @w0lfr0gue53 3 роки тому +31

    Didn’t set lookouts at Trenton. Why they needed a General to tell them that goes against all military logic.

    • @jasminelav.332
      @jasminelav.332 3 роки тому

      Vast underestimation was a factor. Britain was the greatest military power on the planet; the Rebels were mostly a bunch of untested exiles and hicks with muskets. Basically no one thought we'd win.

  • @harrisonclayidol9263
    @harrisonclayidol9263 3 роки тому +38

    When Cornwallis requisitioned my family’s cattle and barns for his troops before the Battle of Guilford Courthouse, my x6 great grandmother met with him and demanded the cattle back. Apparently Cornwallis acquiesced, and resupplied my family despite having a son in the patriot militia. Shows he wasn’t necessarily a bad man.

    • @grilledleeks6514
      @grilledleeks6514 Рік тому +2

      Pretty cool if true.

    • @guacre2675
      @guacre2675 7 місяців тому +2

      Yeah, hard to know if it's true or not, but that's a really fun story

    • @Planet_Shel
      @Planet_Shel 7 місяців тому +1

      I've come across this video, because through genealogy I found out today that he is an ancestor of mine on my paternal grandmother's side of the family. Our side of this family is from Virginia which I find interesting.

  • @MrrMechassult
    @MrrMechassult 3 роки тому +29

    I love when little bits of Business Blaze pokes through in Simon's more serious channels

  • @alfredthegreatkingofwessex6838
    @alfredthegreatkingofwessex6838 3 роки тому +19

    “Mostly Decentl, But Useless”
    That’s going to be in my grave stone

  • @TihetrisWeathersby
    @TihetrisWeathersby 3 роки тому +66

    That's the tale of a lot of the Generals and Admirals, Born to Wealthy families with connections

    • @kingstarscream320
      @kingstarscream320 3 роки тому +8

      Like most modern-day lawyers and doctors.

    • @jakealter5504
      @jakealter5504 3 роки тому +2

      And some of those generals/admirals are still able to rise high. Grant and Sherman were good examples of this, both started their careers well and by the time the American Civil War began they had fallen by the wayside only to become the two best union generals by the late part of the war (hell, it could be argued that Sherman taking Atlanta and Savanna is what actually secured the union victory)

    • @nomdeplume5446
      @nomdeplume5446 3 роки тому +3

      @@jakealter5504 that’s because American military promotions are largely merit based. Back in those days Britain’s military promotions were largely based on who your family was.

    • @jakealter5504
      @jakealter5504 3 роки тому +3

      @@nomdeplume5446 true though in the cases of Grant and Sherman they had connections as well as merit

    • @TheProtagonistDies
      @TheProtagonistDies 3 роки тому +2

      Too much to lose, no heart no fight smh

  • @JC-ks3yk
    @JC-ks3yk 3 роки тому +25

    "A kick in the nuts or a rectally inserted cactus"
    I'll get back to video when I stop laughing....

    • @davidringle7
      @davidringle7 3 роки тому +3

      Little bit of the blaze came out there lmao

  • @Kaiserland111
    @Kaiserland111 3 роки тому +56

    Honestly, I feel really bad for Conwallis. He seems like a really decent man, who loved his wife, country, and soldiers who fought under him. He did his duty as he thought necessary, and as Simon said, probably would have been great at a lesser role if he hasn't been promoted beyond his abilities. I know he fought against my ancestors in the Revolutionary War, but I still feel sorry for the man.

    • @freefall9832
      @freefall9832 3 роки тому

      I don't haha he got served

    • @Abhishek-sr2pu
      @Abhishek-sr2pu 3 роки тому +1

      Yeah you are that kind of person who would also feel bad for confederate and Nazis.

    • @v.emiltheii-nd.8094
      @v.emiltheii-nd.8094 2 роки тому +1

      Sometimes I wish lobotomy was legal for those two idiots above me.

    • @ardenalexa94
      @ardenalexa94 7 місяців тому

      @@Abhishek-sr2pu you can feel bad for someone without agreeing with their actions.

  • @TappanZee1234
    @TappanZee1234 3 роки тому +21

    Peter Drucker’s "Peter Principle" where everyone gets promoted to their level of incompetence.

  • @redhandedjill
    @redhandedjill 3 роки тому +27

    "And which Pitt would this be? Pitt the Toddler? Pitt the Embryo? Pitt the Glint in the Milkman's Eye?"

  • @michaelsinger4638
    @michaelsinger4638 3 роки тому +71

    Honestly I wouldn’t describe him as “mediocre.” He seemed to be pretty competent and well-intentioned to me.

    • @DMurphyApple
      @DMurphyApple 3 роки тому +5

      yeah i find this overly negative, seems like a fairly good bloke given time and circumstances

    • @Dazz3rz450
      @Dazz3rz450 3 роки тому +5

      Mediocre is more about his actions and results than his intentions.

    • @JustinSolomon33
      @JustinSolomon33 3 роки тому +3

      Totally agree, I couldn’t help but think he was a good guy just trying to make it work

    • @gordonlumbert9861
      @gordonlumbert9861 3 роки тому +3

      Unfortunately most of his challenge s need him to be Great. For Ireland sounds like the politicians screwed him.

    • @diarmuidbuckley6638
      @diarmuidbuckley6638 3 роки тому +1

      @@gordonlumbert9861 and George. The Prime Minister promised Representation in Parliament for the majority *but* the King refused even to discuss it because of his Coronation oath. PM resigned and only when Wellington as PM (who was Irish-born and appreciated the soldiery from Ireland he had) did Catholics gain legal right to have MPs - around the same year as Jewish members of Parliament were permitted

  • @watcherofwatchers
    @watcherofwatchers 3 роки тому +25

    Calling someone "useless" is about as serious an insult as I give.

    • @BobJohnson648
      @BobJohnson648 3 роки тому +4

      Calling someone useless seems spiritually vaccous...like kissengers" useless eaters remark...but I still like Simon

    • @jr2904
      @jr2904 3 роки тому

      @@BobJohnson648 Simon doesn't write, he just reads

    • @BobJohnson648
      @BobJohnson648 3 роки тому

      Maybe he should read it before he tapes

    • @oxtheunlikelycontemplator2682
      @oxtheunlikelycontemplator2682 3 роки тому

      It's because it's usually inaccurate. And almost slanderous here.

    • @BobJohnson648
      @BobJohnson648 3 роки тому

      Yep, labeling someone as useless is questionable

  • @hammerofmariotos
    @hammerofmariotos 3 роки тому +3

    It is worth noting the second commander of England's forces in America, Sir William Howe, actually *asked* to be relieved of command, what he described as, "This very painful service". And that's a man who assailed, personally, the deadly American volleys on Breed's Hill, ALONGSIDE his regular infantry--THREE times. The British had no shortage of brave soldiers or Generals.

  • @ARIXANDRE
    @ARIXANDRE 3 роки тому +62

    A subject suggestion: who are the people depicted in notable currencies around the world and why were they chosen. Cheers!

  • @fredorman2429
    @fredorman2429 3 роки тому +8

    Thanks for a different perspective on Lord Cornwallis than I was taught in school. Our public school textbooks cram great events into a few brief paragraphs, omitting in depth examination of the people who played the pivotal roles.

  • @taniaroman5857
    @taniaroman5857 3 роки тому +83

    *Sees title*
    My brain: "General Cornwallis, or as his friends called him 'J-Corn'"

    • @TrueRetroflection
      @TrueRetroflection 3 роки тому +13

      I prefer, “Corn-dawg and Aunt Jemima”

    • @behunter215
      @behunter215 3 роки тому +2

      I am so glad I'm not the only one who thought this 😂

  • @sleepydoghistory9994
    @sleepydoghistory9994 3 роки тому +33

    That great! you should do one on Black George of Serbia, the Balkan's mad lad

  • @ethanramos4441
    @ethanramos4441 3 роки тому +59

    “A man who dares to waste one hour of life has not discovered the value of life”
    Charles Cornwallis

  • @chuckvelzy6615
    @chuckvelzy6615 3 роки тому +2

    Simon...I have to say...now that you have so many channels i love how personal you have been. The sense of humor you add is unmatched. Easily the best way to earn some historical context. I consider myself to know something about history in general and you always shock me with some random fact. Nicely done sir!!

  • @bullghani
    @bullghani 3 роки тому +3

    Simon, love your videos, behind the scenes crew, you guys are amazing as well. So well researched and still you make it fun to listen to.

  • @TihetrisWeathersby
    @TihetrisWeathersby 3 роки тому +75

    The man we have to thank for the founding of America

    • @MisterAndrewBuckley
      @MisterAndrewBuckley 3 роки тому +9

      Yeah, sorry about that 🤷🏼‍♂️😁

    • @watermelonium9671
      @watermelonium9671 3 роки тому +3

      @@MisterAndrewBuckley damn u cant say that
      i agree tho

    • @thfccfht
      @thfccfht 3 роки тому +4

      America is a Continent you clown, your the ununited states.

    • @rc59191
      @rc59191 3 роки тому +5

      @@thfccfht we'll be united again once we dump Commiefornia and all the left wing maniacs into the ocean.

    • @thfccfht
      @thfccfht 3 роки тому +11

      @@rc59191 the last time you fought commies you got humiliated in Vietnam.

  • @Designarchi1
    @Designarchi1 3 роки тому +3

    Well done. Tons of info and a great perspective.

  • @davefellhoelter1343
    @davefellhoelter1343 3 роки тому +1

    never knew this angle!
    Thank YOU!

  • @AshLilburne
    @AshLilburne 2 роки тому +5

    Sounds to me like he was loyal to a fault; entered into unwinnable battles and actually had some success, had a genuine love for his wife, continued on fighting through grief, and his only downfall was kicking Simon's great great great grandfather's dog.

  • @rgnyc
    @rgnyc 3 роки тому +3

    Thank you - I learned so much from this fascinating mini-biography.

  • @bennygarcia7786
    @bennygarcia7786 3 роки тому +1

    Always good historical videos, I'm always looking forward to more, very educational

  • @SEAZNDragon
    @SEAZNDragon 3 роки тому +16

    I kinda want to see a Hamilton style musical from the British side now.

  • @kingstarscream320
    @kingstarscream320 3 роки тому +21

    Tavington... damn him! Damn that man!

    • @Anaris10
      @Anaris10 3 роки тому +4

      Historically it was Banastre Tarlington or "Bloody Ban" as he was known for his actions. This Narrator leaves out a lot of information pertaining to what and why events transpired the way they did.

    • @mitchellneu
      @mitchellneu 3 роки тому

      Don’t know why they changed his name from Banastre Tarleton to William Tavington...takes away some of the fear by giving that portrayal a generic name rather than sticking to his actual name.

    • @RCAvhstape
      @RCAvhstape 3 роки тому +5

      @@mitchellneu Well considering the ridiculous war crimes Tavington committed in that stupid film it's a good thing they changed his name. Tarleton was known to be ruthless but he never locked people in churches and burned them alive. I'm an American and I thought that movie was embarrassing the way it painted the Brits as barbarians.

    • @mitchellneu
      @mitchellneu 3 роки тому +2

      @@RCAvhstape yeah I’m American too, and I don’t remember reading of the Brits doing anything to that ridiculous extreme.

    • @kingstarscream320
      @kingstarscream320 3 роки тому

      @@RCAvhstape I’m a Canadian with a history degree and I think The Patriot is a fine film. A rip-roaring good time.

  • @val_baby74
    @val_baby74 3 роки тому +5

    I love this channel so much. I just love learning - education is elevation ❤️

  • @sirsmartypants7086
    @sirsmartypants7086 3 роки тому

    You learn so much from your channels! Thank you Simmon

  • @sammurphy3343
    @sammurphy3343 3 роки тому

    Fantastic video. Keep em coming

  • @akshaymanta55
    @akshaymanta55 2 роки тому +4

    Lord Cornwallis as he's popularly called in India is also known as the father of Indian civil service. Came to India on 12th sept. 1786 as the Governor-general of Bengal.
    In 1793 introduced Cornwallis code, a body of legislation introducing governing, policing, judicial and civil administrative provisions.

  • @michaelgreen1515
    @michaelgreen1515 3 роки тому +4

    Cornwallis was a loyal soldier who spent most of his career fighting for things he didn't believe in.

  • @THEtodd_83
    @THEtodd_83 3 роки тому +1

    Love these historical videos.

  • @indycole396
    @indycole396 2 роки тому +1

    Great video!

  • @danthegamechanger3855
    @danthegamechanger3855 3 роки тому +3

    Great video keep up the good work on your channel loving it 👍🏻🙂🔥

  • @aniruddhbhatkal1834
    @aniruddhbhatkal1834 3 роки тому +3

    We here in India talk about Cornwallis too, about the Anglo-Mysore war. When I heard he was the same Cornwallis who lost at Yorktown I was really surprised. By the way, his successor was Governor General Wellesley, whose brother was the famous guy who beat Napoleon at Waterloo. I believe that Sir Arthur Wellesley also fought in the final Anglo-Mysore war, and learned much there about rocketry. Quite a matchless career, the Duke of Wellington had

  • @Captofthisship
    @Captofthisship 3 роки тому +2

    That was a good video, thanks!

  • @jimrothery1289
    @jimrothery1289 2 роки тому +1

    This was an excellent presentation. It had humor as well as scholarly explanations. Thank you.

  • @CFG-eb3my
    @CFG-eb3my 3 роки тому +5

    Outstanding yet again. Thank you sir, as a Yank I've always felt his role in our revolution was not as conventionality depicted - no doubt the surrender could well have been avoided by a effective political Cornwallis in a leadership House role - not to be

  • @Yourmomma568
    @Yourmomma568 3 роки тому +3

    just to clear up, the stamp act wasn't considered ridiculous because it was an undue burden, it was considered ridiculous because they saw it as an obvious circumvention of law regarding taxation. taxation of colonies had been debated before and it was considered illegal because of the representation requirement under the british constitution. the legality aside the stamp act was not unreasonably costly, in fact its main economic effect (and real purpose) was to curb smuggling in deep water ports. by keeping track of paper the government could keep track of who was writing falsified receipts on imports. a couple of dollars was all it took to convince a harbor worker to report a much lower tonnage and thus lower import duties. by issuing stamps 9n certain paper products the dock workers were forced to keep themselves account to british authorities. the point was to improve collection of legal duties and improve revenue, (the stamp cost was very small), and since the local elite were almost all profiting from smuggling and acting as a mafioso of sorts, they generated a lot of unrest locally for these new measures. they burned families of british officials alive in their homes, rioted, tortured people, and destroyed vast amounts of property in a campaign of disruption and intimidation to fight enforcement, and it worked. it led to a larger debate about the spirit of the law and was eventually co-opted by revolutionaries, radicals, and secessionists, culminating in the american revolution. you'd be amazed how many founding fathers had made their fortune in the "import export" business. like with things today, it wasn't a clear cut and simple, one idea vs another, conflict. it was a convoluted mess of conflicting ideas and motivations on both sides that eventually led to the outcome with which we are familiar, but pretending that it wasn't also a sordid affair on the part of the americans, or not a wholly greedy and malicious affair for the part of the british, is at best historical revisionism.

  • @batstacomics1748
    @batstacomics1748 3 роки тому

    how funny... I listen to you when i'm folding my laundry lol!! videos are great, I have a deep love for history and i'm very grateful to have found your channel!!

  • @alec2726
    @alec2726 10 місяців тому

    Brilliant Simon!

  • @augustusera7402
    @augustusera7402 3 роки тому +12

    This channel is amazing, I have so many interests in history, and the lives of those who went through it all but never really liked reading books or do research and having a video that puts it all into one 20-30 minute video is amazing. Thank you!

    • @CFG-eb3my
      @CFG-eb3my 3 роки тому

      Read

    • @2MeatyOwlLegs
      @2MeatyOwlLegs 3 роки тому +1

      That's pretty much the reason why infotainment is so popular on UA-cam.^^

    • @Anaris10
      @Anaris10 3 роки тому

      Be careful, this guy cherry picks his points while not telling you the whole story. I've studied Military History for decades and could do the same if I wanted too.

  • @25xxfrostxx
    @25xxfrostxx 3 роки тому +3

    I grew up in Eastern Virginia in the area of Yorktown. I have been to "Cornwallis' Cave" carved into the side of the York River where he set up one of his final command centers/hiding spots. I have also seen an archaeological dig in the York River where they are uncovering a ship that his forces sunk to create artificial reefs to prevent the French ships from entering the river.

    • @BobJohnson648
      @BobJohnson648 3 роки тому +1

      I used to live in Gloucester county. Always wondered if some of Cornwallis' troops were the ancestors of the guinea men over there.

    • @25xxfrostxx
      @25xxfrostxx 3 роки тому

      @@BobJohnson648 I grew up in Gloucester. I had heard that the guineamen's unique accent originated with folks with a cockney accent. It is possible that they could have been British troops that stayed though I don't know for sure if that actually happened.

    • @BobJohnson648
      @BobJohnson648 3 роки тому

      @@25xxfrostxx I have heard that Cornwallis had some Hessian troops...based on that I'd expect a German accent but the Guinea people I have encountered definitely seem to have more of a cockney way of speaking

  • @georgequalls5043
    @georgequalls5043 3 роки тому

    Well done.

  • @petermillist3779
    @petermillist3779 3 роки тому +6

    “Useless”? That’s unfair and untrue.

    • @freefall9832
      @freefall9832 3 роки тому

      He was about as useful as a empire without it's colony

  • @coolguy1983
    @coolguy1983 3 роки тому +5

    Wow. Very open and truthful view of Irish history at the end. This is a perfect time to request as an Irishman a video of Theobald Wolfe Tone. The leader of the United Irishmen and key figure in the disaster that was the 1798 Rebellion. In Irish Schools we are thought of 3 key events in the 1700s, the American Revolution and the establishment of Democracy, the French Revolution and the Republic, and the attempt to bring these values to Ireland. The attempt to live in a free society, where people are born equal, protected by Liberty, Equality and Fraternity, like our French and American nabours. Lets just say jts Ironic that said rebellion and Democratic aspiration led to the Act of Union of 1801.

  • @jroch41
    @jroch41 9 місяців тому +1

    Very informative summary of the life and career of Cornwallis.

  • @ehrldawg
    @ehrldawg 2 роки тому

    Great vid ! Im sharing !

  • @ViniciusKRISCHKE
    @ViniciusKRISCHKE 3 роки тому +5

    Aníbal Milhais, aka Soldier Millions, most decorated Portuguese soldier of World War I. Single-handedly held back a German assault with his Lewis gun allowing his whole company to retreat... Twice.

  • @josephrossi6775
    @josephrossi6775 3 роки тому +6

    Would like to see a biography on either Ishikawa Goemon or Benkei the Giant Samurai or Admiral Yi!!!!

  • @christopherwebb3517
    @christopherwebb3517 2 роки тому +2

    Very informative. Now I know why Cornwallis had the habit of walking off cliffs, but not falling until he noticed that there was no ground under his feet. And why he primarily communicated with others by holding up pre-written signs.

  • @jeffsanders1609
    @jeffsanders1609 3 роки тому +2

    You should do John “Black Jack” Pershing
    Most great American generals from WWII served and were mentored by General “Black Jack” Pershing during WWI. These include Patton, Eisenhower, McArthur, George C. Marshall, and Omar Bradley
    For that reason, he’s extremely under rated in American history in my opinion. Not to mention he charges up San Juan Hill next to Teddy Roosevelt, and commanded the expedition sought out Pancho Villa
    Before any of that he also taught at an African American school and when he was 4 years old his home was raided by Confederate in 1864 looking for his Father because he flew the Union Flag over his general store in Missouri
    He lived and amazing and forgotten life that would be the worded set up for a biographics video

  • @josephrossi6775
    @josephrossi6775 3 роки тому +6

    SUGGESTION: Admiral Yi, The Greatest Medevial Naval Commander

  • @power_trip84
    @power_trip84 3 роки тому +6

    as far as the tipur peace part, ive heard in one of your videos im sure, that if both sides are unhappy about the treaty, then its probably fair...or something smart like that

  • @zeus66061
    @zeus66061 3 роки тому +1

    This was the funniest Biographics so far!

  • @joeyshofner639
    @joeyshofner639 3 роки тому

    I just learned more about Cornwallis from this channel than I ever did at school. Thanks.

  • @MCorpReview
    @MCorpReview 3 роки тому +5

    Cornwallis: I deserve to be executed, your excellency. Pitt: don’t be so hard on yourself. How about a promotion in India?

  • @candiceyoung8244
    @candiceyoung8244 3 роки тому +4

    I've been lucky enough to have visited Yorktown,,its a wonderfully interesting national park. A great place to visit if ur a history buff. Alot of history happened in Virginia.

  • @navidhendrix
    @navidhendrix 3 роки тому

    The segue into your commercial at 8:52 is gold!

  • @maximodeleon2502
    @maximodeleon2502 3 роки тому +1

    Hey Simon, I only have 2 things to say.
    1. I simply love all your UA-cam videos, I have learned more about History from u than I did in school.
    2. Just an idea, how about doing a Biography on Admiral Thomas Cochrane, he was a man with an incredible story and career, I’m pretty sure it would be an excellent video.

  • @ryanthomas4022
    @ryanthomas4022 3 роки тому +4

    Can we get a Simon Whistler biographics

    • @nic2588
      @nic2588 3 роки тому

      or danny from business blaze

  • @108_hariswirananda7
    @108_hariswirananda7 3 роки тому +11

    Why can I feel him, a mediocre dragged around to do things that requires expertise beyond himself

  • @adamhartz5483
    @adamhartz5483 2 роки тому

    Simon, I rather enjoyed this video. One of my favorites so far.

  • @loupiscanis9449
    @loupiscanis9449 3 роки тому

    Thank you

  • @kc2110
    @kc2110 3 роки тому +4

    There's just something about listening to someone with a British accent talk about the American Revolution that makes me tingly inside. 🇺🇸
    Love your work!

  • @dudemanguy8509
    @dudemanguy8509 3 роки тому +4

    Why have we not got a Bernard Montgomery Bio yet but you did Patton years ago? Im calling shenanigans.

  • @TheEvilCommenter
    @TheEvilCommenter 3 роки тому

    Good video 👍

  • @grahampowelljr1
    @grahampowelljr1 3 роки тому

    Really good video. As a guy who’s gotten roped into things I had no desire or aptitude for, I sympathize.

  • @Kauan_Ollvr
    @Kauan_Ollvr 3 роки тому +3

    Could you pleeeease do an video about the second and last emperor of Brazil, Pedro II? He was the greatest brazilian ruler and patriot and you never did an video about an brazilian guy

  • @phantombeard6262
    @phantombeard6262 3 роки тому +7

    "What could possibly go wrong?"
    *things go wrong*
    Maybe another famous British soldier for a Biographics, Sir Robert Baden Powell (the founder of the Scouting Movement)
    Amazing job as always Biographics

  • @rosscroft3954
    @rosscroft3954 3 роки тому

    Excellent episode!
    Would make a nice link to wolf tone and the United irishmen

  • @andrewscrutton
    @andrewscrutton 3 роки тому +2

    Hey Simon, you absolutely need to do a video on Terry Fox. In 1980, in his early 20's he ran the equivalent of a marathon a day as he set out to cross Canada to raise awareness and money for cancer research. He did this with only one leg since his other leg had been amputated. His "Marathon of Hope" had to be abandoned half way through as his cancer got worse, taking his life shortly after. His legacy has lived on with a yearly run in his honor and has gone on to raise millions (likely billions) for cancer research.

  • @AridosUK
    @AridosUK 3 роки тому +3

    I Suspect that this is one of those Arnold j Rimmer past lives

  • @joshuahill5179
    @joshuahill5179 3 роки тому

    Hi Simon, enjoying the channel, could you do a video of Prince Philip

  • @benjaminhoover6427
    @benjaminhoover6427 3 роки тому

    Good lessons
    "Kick in the nuts"
    Keep up the great work

  • @thegunslinger1363
    @thegunslinger1363 3 роки тому +6

    Could you cover Major General Smedley Butler? A two time receipt of the Medal of Honour. Who would later write the book "War is a Racket".

  • @samsoncrosswood7259
    @samsoncrosswood7259 3 роки тому +8

    All I’ve read about Cornwallis confirms this. He wasn’t evil, he just was - and thank God for that.

    • @kingstarscream320
      @kingstarscream320 3 роки тому +1

      He was a racist

    • @FimiliarGalaxy9
      @FimiliarGalaxy9 3 роки тому +3

      @@kingstarscream320 lol. K

    • @Aztesticals
      @Aztesticals 3 роки тому +3

      @@kingstarscream320 Well he was a Briton from the 1700s your gonna have to look pretty far to find someone at that time that wasnt

    • @Bazza1993ify
      @Bazza1993ify 3 роки тому +1

      @@kingstarscream320 LOL loser.

    • @kingstarscream320
      @kingstarscream320 3 роки тому

      @@Bazza1993ify What? He was. It is hard to qualify abusing a people and intruding on their land for profit as being something a good guy would do.

  • @nakedref8997
    @nakedref8997 3 роки тому +1

    One of my favourite biographics yet! Would be a really sad story if he weren’t just so comedically inept.

  • @pensepf49
    @pensepf49 3 роки тому

    Extended Cornwallis, love it!

  • @commanderosis435
    @commanderosis435 3 роки тому +10

    This reminds me of Joe Biden. Failing upwards with complicity.

  • @darrensydorko4976
    @darrensydorko4976 3 роки тому +6

    I got to ask. You would prefer having Justing Trudeau the substitute drama teacher as your PM?

    • @Anaris10
      @Anaris10 3 роки тому

      Kind of obvious if you watch any of his vids.

  • @EJG3553
    @EJG3553 3 роки тому

    At the transitions like at 16:55. Where is that music from?

  • @thomaspiresle3587
    @thomaspiresle3587 3 роки тому

    Favorite youtuber ever

  • @ignitionfrn2223
    @ignitionfrn2223 3 роки тому +4

    1:25 - Chapter 1 - For king & country
    5:15 - Chapter 2 - Revolution rock
    8:55 - Mid roll ads
    10:20 - Chapter 3 - The road to yorktown
    14:00 - Chapter 4 - From Yorktown to the top
    17:00 - Chapter 5 - Passage to india
    20:25 - Chapter 6 - The failed union
    - Chapter 7 -
    PS: Considering how the colonies have turned out, he might have the last laugh !!!