Kuril Islands: Pacific Hot Spot in the Cold War

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  • Опубліковано 27 вер 2024
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    Our historical documentary series on the history of the Cold War continues with a video on the Kuril Islands, as we try to summarize why these islands became a potential hot spot between Japan and the USSR, as both sides used diplomacy and their allies to get the upper hand.
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КОМЕНТАРІ • 394

  • @TheColdWarTV
    @TheColdWarTV  3 роки тому +30

    ​🍘 Get 10% off (save up to $47!) your own authentic Japanese snack box from Bokksu using my link: bit.ly/3fPXoCT and code COLDWAR10

    • @shrinivas2802
      @shrinivas2802 3 роки тому +2

      Hi Can u make a video on 1971 India Pakistan war where Soviet and American ships had come face to face. This topic is oftenly overlooked

  • @gmanbo
    @gmanbo 3 роки тому +157

    So technically military hostilities Between Russia and Japan don't need a formal declaration of war at all.

    • @JohnDoe-pv2iu
      @JohnDoe-pv2iu 3 роки тому +28

      Yes, just like the Korean war is at a stage of a 'temporary cease fire' with no ending (and no current talks of an end to that war). Take Care, John

    • @ashapuhin9825
      @ashapuhin9825 3 роки тому +6

      @@___-cp6or not strictly but it still does..

    • @JCDenton3
      @JCDenton3 3 роки тому +11

      As if the need for an official declaration of war has ever stopped Japan before... (Russo-Japanese War - sneak attack on Port Arthur, 2nd Sino-Japanese War - Marco Polo Bridge Incident, Pacific War - Pearl Harbor, etc...)

    • @bsadewitz
      @bsadewitz 2 роки тому +1

      The last time the US formally declared war was under FDR.

    • @buonaparte11
      @buonaparte11 2 роки тому +3

      This is a common story, but it's probably a misunderstanding. The end of the war between the two countries has been mutually confirmed by Soviet-Japanese Joint Declaration of 1956.

  • @dinolandia8978
    @dinolandia8978 3 роки тому +80

    Very interesting. My Russian teacher grew up in the Kuril Islands and Kamchatka during the 1980s and 1990s. She was the daughter of a Soviet military family. According to her, those regions are a natural paradise and unlike nothing that could be found back in the rest of the USSR. The soldiers, scientists, and other staff would enjoy fresh caught fish or venison regularly to supplement their rations. There is no overcrowding or pollution. Some of the soldiers and scientists continued to stay there (off base of course) even after receiving orders to return home b/c of tales of anarchy, unemployment, and criminal violence in the rest of the former USSR during the 1990s and early 2000s. These individuals continue to live off the land, hunting and fishing, and earn a living as tour guides. As for her family they ended up relocating to Vladivostok for a better life.

    • @spyczech
      @spyczech 3 роки тому +7

      I'd imagine there would be no overcrowding after the soviets expelled all Japanese and Ainu off the islands!

    • @MrJack1992
      @MrJack1992 3 роки тому +13

      @@eugenlitwin5887 I mean ask people in eastern ukraine that again. Most of the speak Russian and are more in line with Russian values the. Ukrainian.

    • @frankrenda2519
      @frankrenda2519 3 роки тому +5

      @@eugenlitwin5887 belarus belongs to russia

    • @mongolballempire8664
      @mongolballempire8664 3 роки тому +8

      @@spyczech Ainu still live there

  • @Armorius2199
    @Armorius2199 3 роки тому +73

    Wow, this was an extremely interesting topic, that has actually never before got mentioned.

  • @kylebarton778
    @kylebarton778 3 роки тому +47

    I'm very happy that the Ainu weren't left out. Thank you for the video!

  • @안호성-p6z
    @안호성-p6z 3 роки тому +89

    4:42 I think this section could be quite misinterpreted as the Japanese ruling the entirety of the Sakhalin island during the interwar era. Though the portion of the island north of the 50th parallel was briefly occupied by the Japanese during the civil war, rsfsr eventually regained control of it and administered it since then.

    • @theprincipalityofstopmotio2146
      @theprincipalityofstopmotio2146 3 роки тому +3

      I think Karafuto was divided between Japan and Russia during the Russo-Japanese War, with Japan annexing the south, and Russia occupying the north of the island, not during the civil war.

    • @igorsmihailovs52
      @igorsmihailovs52 3 роки тому +5

      @@theprincipalityofstopmotio2146 no it was that way also after the Russian Civil war. I had to correct this mistake on one of Wikipedia's maps once (using info from Wikipedia articles, duh). Northern Sakhalin was returned to (Soviet) Russia in 1925.

  • @nileshkumaraswamy2711
    @nileshkumaraswamy2711 3 роки тому +22

    One of those disputes that lasts to today.

  • @gabrielferrer7194
    @gabrielferrer7194 3 роки тому +10

    You should do one about Spanish Franco's dictatorship and how he managed to remain in power after the defeat of the Axis. Would be really interesting!!

    • @TheColdWarTV
      @TheColdWarTV  3 роки тому +5

      ua-cam.com/video/HDN3laojNEA/v-deo.html

  • @Sequoia204
    @Sequoia204 3 роки тому +26

    Russia's part in Japan's surrender does indeed get overlooked in the west. Guess cold war rivalries preclude giving credit where it's due.

    • @LalaLa-ze7kv
      @LalaLa-ze7kv 3 роки тому +5

      Joining the war 2 weeks before it ended is not particularly big contribution.

    • @Sequoia204
      @Sequoia204 3 роки тому +8

      @@LalaLa-ze7kv oh yeah, why would 1.5 million troops invading your territory have any impact on your decision to carry on the war...

    • @LalaLa-ze7kv
      @LalaLa-ze7kv 3 роки тому +4

      @@Sequoia204 , bcs Russian soldiers themselves said that japanese began to surrender only after Hirohito's order

    • @ryhanzfx1641
      @ryhanzfx1641 3 роки тому +13

      @@LalaLa-ze7kv which is caused by both the nukes AND the soviet invasion of Manchuria, check your history books

    • @LalaLa-ze7kv
      @LalaLa-ze7kv 3 роки тому +2

      @@ryhanzfx1641 , I highly doubt u spoke with actual soldiers of that war to know this. History books is written by the victors, they not supposed to be 100% honest

  • @jean-huguesaubry6778
    @jean-huguesaubry6778 3 роки тому +16

    As a history and religion teacher, thank you for mentioning the Ainu people.

  • @beachboy0505
    @beachboy0505 3 роки тому +6

    Amazing video for a lovely Saturday afternoon.

  • @Alex_FRD
    @Alex_FRD 3 роки тому +16

    RIP Karafuto Prefecture.

  • @igorsmihailovs52
    @igorsmihailovs52 3 роки тому +14

    Nowadays there is another piece to the puzzle, as in 1992 large rhenium ore deposits were discovered on Iturup/Etorofu. Rhenium is very rare and pricey metal, so it definitely contributes to the problem.

  • @blanyeeast2928
    @blanyeeast2928 3 роки тому +2

    Big ups for ending the segment on a very strong note about the Ainu people!

  • @blueberrypirate3601
    @blueberrypirate3601 3 роки тому +13

    Ussuri bears live on the Kuriles and are very dangerous animals 🐻🐻

  • @brokenbridge6316
    @brokenbridge6316 3 роки тому +2

    Nicely informative video. I hope this very thorny issue does get solved one day.

  • @darrell3O87OO
    @darrell3O87OO 3 роки тому +24

    So no peace treaty between the USSR (now Russia) and Japan. So Russia could invade Hokkaido and it wouldn't violate International law?

    • @jamesdouglas1492
      @jamesdouglas1492 3 роки тому +13

      Correct however the U.S. is still responsible for the defense of Japan. Russia will not go to war over Japan. Only if an aggressive Japan and the U.S. were to try and take back these islands.

    • @diddlypoop
      @diddlypoop 3 роки тому

      @@jamesdouglas1492 Not to mention Russia does not have the naval capability to establish a foothold on Hokkaido and Japan has the naval capability to defend it.

    • @frankrenda2519
      @frankrenda2519 3 роки тому

      @@diddlypoop russia could deteat japan in hours just like in ww2

    • @LalaLa-ze7kv
      @LalaLa-ze7kv 3 роки тому +2

      @ , wrong. Japan wants only 4 southern islands that never belonged to Russia before 1945.

    • @huntermad5668
      @huntermad5668 3 роки тому +1

      @@LalaLa-ze7kv
      The reason is the spoil of war motive nothing to do with the right before that.

  • @benkamelmayssem5780
    @benkamelmayssem5780 3 роки тому +2

    thanks for the new video and the great work.

  • @jtsnowman66
    @jtsnowman66 3 роки тому +4

    *destroys subscribe button* It's mine all mine!!!!! If I can't have it no one can. Great channel ;)

  • @jacobedward2401
    @jacobedward2401 Рік тому +1

    Are the Ainu people the ones that Miazaki used as inspiration for the hidden tribe in the start of Princess Mononoke?

  • @iDoTechOK
    @iDoTechOK 3 роки тому +2

    Fantastic - thank you. Great new knowledge for an experience historian like myself. :)

  • @stephengayton5246
    @stephengayton5246 3 роки тому +5

    Is Shintaro Abe related to Shinzo Abe?

    • @oxis77gas
      @oxis77gas 3 роки тому +5

      He was his father.

  • @hughmcfarlane5191
    @hughmcfarlane5191 3 роки тому +1

    Fantastic video team!

  • @marshalondro9692
    @marshalondro9692 3 роки тому +2

    Awesome video

  • @789french5
    @789french5 3 роки тому

    leeeaaarrning!! Its so great, thank you!

  • @shrinivas2802
    @shrinivas2802 3 роки тому +8

    Hi can you do a video on the 1971 Indo Pak war where American and Soviet ships were face to face in the Indian Ocean. This event is oftenly overlooked

    • @안호성-p6z
      @안호성-p6z 3 роки тому

      You know we're still mainly doing the 1950s and early 1960s here right? I'm sure they'll do it eventually, since they've done a few more peculiar topics as well.

    • @shrinivas2802
      @shrinivas2802 3 роки тому +1

      @@안호성-p6z ya i know that but still this topoc is mostly overlooked by many historians so i just thought of saying it

    • @mattanderson6336
      @mattanderson6336 3 роки тому +2

      Long live Bangladesh!

    •  3 роки тому +1

      Ah yes It was fun to cut pakistan in two pieces. except I call this war a "WASTED POTENTIAL" to get back PoK.

  • @vortimerofkent128
    @vortimerofkent128 3 роки тому +8

    The bell-button puns

  • @MyBoomStick1
    @MyBoomStick1 3 роки тому +1

    The Will of the Inu made me think about Tolkien/Silmarillion. The Will of Iru and the Will of the Inu

  • @СергейВласов-х7в
    @СергейВласов-х7в 2 роки тому +1

    I want to tell you absolutely impartially in this video! About whose Kuril Islands.
    .
    By the way, I recommend buying these Japanese sweets, on which my financial situation depends.

  • @clausbecker9350
    @clausbecker9350 Рік тому +1

    Not sure if it was mentioned that Russia has changed its constitution such that it can't give up the Kuril islands

  • @tng2057
    @tng2057 3 роки тому +18

    Imagine Germany asking Poland for the return of the former German territories east of Oder Nesse line or Italy asking Croatia for the return of Dalmatia.

    • @tng2057
      @tng2057 3 роки тому +2

      @@dragosstanciu9866 It has to be said that ‘winner’s justice’ dominates all territory disputes. Japan, being the WW2 aggressor, ironically has more legal basis than the USSR and Russia in this matter, such as these islands not being part of Russia’s lost territory after the 1905 war, the USSR scrapping the 1940 non-aggression pact, and the Red Army seized these islands after the moment the Tokyo Bay instrument of surrender was signed. However demanding territory changes after losing a war always have to involve another conflict.

    • @LalaLa-ze7kv
      @LalaLa-ze7kv 3 роки тому +2

      Sounds pretty silly. Germany *did* attacked Poland while Japan *was* attacked by USSR. When u attack someone and took their land it called occupation (look at Golan hights), but when u are victim of attack and took others land it called annexation (look at kaliningrad).

    • @monkberrymoon4042
      @monkberrymoon4042 3 роки тому +2

      @@LalaLa-ze7kv Yep. And of course the fact that the neutrality treaty between the USSR and Japan was still in effect when the USSR declared war.
      (Though I have to disagree with you about the Golan Heights -- that was the origin of many attacks on Israel)

    • @zulfhashimmi2040
      @zulfhashimmi2040 2 роки тому

      @@LalaLa-ze7kv japan attacked the Allied powers , USSR was well within its rights to occupy kurils

  • @alexchopov
    @alexchopov 3 роки тому +45

    "Stalin unilaterally broke the non-agression treaty with Japan" - you make it sound like USSR was an evil treaty-breaker who attacked Japan for no reason, however, it was a promise he made to the American Allies, in Yalta to open a Second Front against Japan 3 months after the fall of Germany. Which is exactly what he did fullfilling his word and allied obligation

    • @bcvetkov8534
      @bcvetkov8534 3 роки тому +13

      The agreement with Japan was still in effect when he agreed to the Allies demands. So yes he still broke the treaty. Stalin is a POS in general. Why defend a monster?

    • @StalinTheMan0fSteel
      @StalinTheMan0fSteel 3 роки тому +6

      True. The result was the Soviet Union got back everything the Japanese took in the 1905 War.

    • @alexchopov
      @alexchopov 3 роки тому +2

      @@eugenlitwin5887 oil futures were at negative prices in 2020, why didnt Golden Horde/Russia collapse then?

    • @alexchopov
      @alexchopov 3 роки тому +5

      @@bcvetkov8534 then cancel all the evil things the monster Stalin did - return Vilno snd Lwow to Poland snd Selesia to Germany. You cant pick and chose in debunking a POS

    • @StalinTheMan0fSteel
      @StalinTheMan0fSteel 3 роки тому

      @@eugenlitwin5887 No comprendo señor.😀 Inglés o español.

  • @Mrgunsngear
    @Mrgunsngear 3 роки тому

    Thanks

  • @EffequalsMA
    @EffequalsMA 3 роки тому +6

    Thanks for noting the affects of Imperialism on indigenous cultures.

  • @rupvictoria3017
    @rupvictoria3017 Рік тому +2

    Japan is like Ukraine right now cause they’re literally near the border with Russia but the US is down in Japan to protect Japan from a Russian invasion

  • @isprikitikburkabush6200
    @isprikitikburkabush6200 3 роки тому +7

    The acquisition of the Kuril Islands by the Russians is a result of WW2. That makes thier claim stronger.

    • @monkberrymoon4042
      @monkberrymoon4042 3 роки тому

      Huh? By that logic, West Germany should be an American state by now.

    • @isprikitikburkabush6200
      @isprikitikburkabush6200 3 роки тому +2

      @@monkberrymoon4042 Does the US claim West Germany?

    • @monkberrymoon4042
      @monkberrymoon4042 3 роки тому +1

      @@isprikitikburkabush6200 Sorry, I shoulda said, by that logic, the US should claim West Germany as its sovereign territory. Is that clearer?

    • @isprikitikburkabush6200
      @isprikitikburkabush6200 3 роки тому +2

      @@monkberrymoon4042US never wanted west germany so its not comparable to the Russian acquisition of the Kurils. But the US did acqured Okinawa from Japan and only returned it as a goodwill gesture.

    • @monkberrymoon4042
      @monkberrymoon4042 3 роки тому

      @@isprikitikburkabush6200 What the hell are you talking about? You seem to think that a country's desire for territory makes it morally right to take it. Honestly, in a sea of dumb ass comments on this page, yours makes the least sense.
      And on what planet do you think the US had any plans to actually annex Okinawa. It was never considered inherently American sovereign territory.

  • @gedgar
    @gedgar 3 роки тому +1

    So cool…!!!

  • @HaohmaruHL
    @HaohmaruHL 3 роки тому +4

    You can compare Sakhalin to Hokkaido in terms how everything is built and well maintained to easily end the dispute on who between the two should have the islands. If the kuril islands stay with russia nothing good will ever come out of it. Russia can't even maintain moscow well, let alone other regions.
    P. S. Moscow born and raised. Now in japan, seeing firsthand what miracles Japanese can actually do to surrounding areas.
    (and also getting really tired hearing about something-something kuril islands every time I start talking to a Japanese person and end up having to mention I'm from russia...)

  • @andrewdegozaru74
    @andrewdegozaru74 3 роки тому

    04:50 The attractive benefits of participating in Project Hula (en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Project_Hula?wprov=sfla1) and the ease with which clauses in the Soviet-Japan neutrality pact (en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Soviet%E2%80%93Japanese_Neutrality_Pact?wprov=sfla1) allowed it's dissolution would no doubt have influenced Stalin's decision to go to war against the Japanese Imperialists in the closing days of WW2.

  • @thegunslinger1363
    @thegunslinger1363 3 роки тому +4

    Go's to show how massive Russia is. That it stretches all the way to China, North Korea, and close to Alaska.

    • @zeitgeistx5239
      @zeitgeistx5239 3 роки тому

      @Histori Goes to show how well genocide works. Czars then Stalin committed genocides on dozens of ethnic groups.

    • @johnl.7754
      @johnl.7754 3 роки тому +1

      @Histori with nuclear weapons it’s hard to envision it done by force

  • @followerofjulian1652
    @followerofjulian1652 3 роки тому

    Nuts.

  • @mayoite160
    @mayoite160 2 роки тому

    All of the like button for name-dropping the Ainu

  • @jarrodyuki7081
    @jarrodyuki7081 3 роки тому +2

    japan still wants the kurils and sakkhalin back and this time they have iron man and america.

    • @twilightstar9973
      @twilightstar9973 3 роки тому +3

      No they don't and Japan should have taken Russia's offer of Shikotan and Habomai when they had the chance to and gone against USA* pressure.

    • @theshadowman1398
      @theshadowman1398 3 роки тому +2

      They don’t have America at all.

    • @jarrodyuki7081
      @jarrodyuki7081 2 роки тому

      @@theshadowman1398 we have the avengers and hulk. we have captain america.

  • @teabagfc
    @teabagfc 3 роки тому +1

    Check the spelling in the thumbnail - PAFICIF

  • @OldchannelSamuel
    @OldchannelSamuel 2 роки тому

    5:19

  • @Norg1
    @Norg1 3 роки тому +16

    Russians be like " its free real estate "

    • @hybridarmyofthegdl2193
      @hybridarmyofthegdl2193 3 роки тому +2

      With cost of “black gold” at 15-23 dollars per barrel, the USSR economy collapsed, and the sovok itself collapsed, and the "golden" horde ("russia") budget can only be fulfilled only with oil price at $ 42.4 and higher

    • @valdispistoletov4554
      @valdispistoletov4554 3 роки тому

      @@hybridarmyofthegdl2193 oil price fell below this value for half of the year in 2020 and russia still exist as far as i know

    • @hybridarmyofthegdl2193
      @hybridarmyofthegdl2193 3 роки тому +1

      @@valdispistoletov4554 „Mосковская империя это Хаос разруха и рабство, Хамы пьяницы и воры, и нечего не может,....“

    • @uncleadi
      @uncleadi 3 роки тому +1

      @@hybridarmyofthegdl2193 Idk you have some expert saying: "Russia can only sustain themselves with an oil price of X", but that X drops every couple of years because they are wrong every time. I think it's pretty clear Russia isn't going anywhere unless something very dramatic happens in Russia or the world that changes the current trends.

  • @mattpurgare5678
    @mattpurgare5678 3 роки тому +1

    HOLD UP!! NEWS FLASH, What's this I here about a war between Russia and China in 1969?
    Video time 11:40

    • @jonduong8331
      @jonduong8331 3 роки тому +1

      Yes, March 2nd 1969, the PLA attacks the USSR border outpost on the Ussuri river (North of Vladivostok ).

    • @mattpurgare5678
      @mattpurgare5678 3 роки тому

      @@jonduong8331 thank you

  • @jonaspete
    @jonaspete 2 роки тому +1

    Times to take it back now

  • @Charlisimo123
    @Charlisimo123 3 роки тому +6

    I don't want to be that negative person, but there is no way the Ainu are going to get a mention in future deals when it comes to this situation. Super Powers and Regional Powers have always put their interests first when it comes to situations like this. No one cares about what is right or just. Hell, the Koreans weren't at the table of negotiations when both the US and Soviets split Korea in half after World War 2. You know, the people who actually live in that peninsula.
    The moral of the story is, if you are a weak or irrelevant nation in global politics, powerful outsiders will always decide the fate of your people. Which is messed up, but is the reality of things.

    • @ab9840
      @ab9840 3 роки тому +1

      When it comes to the Kuril islands it seems there are no Ainu left. Even the language is extinct. Read - en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kuril_Ainu_language

    • @meganoobbg3387
      @meganoobbg3387 3 роки тому

      American history is the best example tbh. We dont even know the exact number of native americans who were annihilated. But ofcourse everyone knows the "Black book of communism"s 100 million deaths... a part of which are the 8 million Wermacht soldiers who are considered "innocent victims" of Stalin. haha

  • @Halcon_Sierreno
    @Halcon_Sierreno 3 роки тому

    Are they going to start fighting again?

  • @elendal
    @elendal 3 роки тому +8

    Japan was on the wrong side of history and should accept the loss.

    • @iagokhvipsen8487
      @iagokhvipsen8487 3 роки тому

      well... Russia is always on Bad side (demi bad side) of history, they should leave all non-RUssian lands and become big european country (nevRussia should be 30% of todays russa)

    • @elendal
      @elendal 3 роки тому +1

      @@iagokhvipsen8487 always?

    • @theshadowman1398
      @theshadowman1398 3 роки тому

      @@iagokhvipsen8487
      We don’t want to be an European country, we are a mix of many things. Now bugger off before we decide to take back Finland since it actually does belongs to us. And if you are not pleased take that up with Sweden.

    • @monkberrymoon4042
      @monkberrymoon4042 3 роки тому

      Well, fair enough, I guess -- but what is the acceptable loss? Why not obliterate the country? Kill its inhabitants? Give up more islands? How much is enough?

  • @Bob31415
    @Bob31415 2 роки тому

    @5:19 - The Soviet capture of the Kurils in September of 1945 "apparently had the blessings of Roosevelt"????? ROOSEVELT WAS DEAD in September of 1945.

    • @hb2495
      @hb2495 Рік тому

      they talked about it b4 he died gamer , when the big 3 came together.

  • @louisecorchevolle9241
    @louisecorchevolle9241 3 роки тому

    So Soviet Soviet is the same as Russia this is illettrism

  • @권순정-d6x
    @권순정-d6x 2 роки тому +2

    Kuril Islands belongs to Russia, Absolutely.

  • @NikkyElso
    @NikkyElso Рік тому

    I tend to fall on the side of "just leave it." The people there now are Russian, and integrating them into Japan would be problematic amd it wouldn't feel right ejecting the people that live there now from the islands, especially since many have speant their whole lives there. This would be like Germany demanding the return of Kaliningrad from Russia. I think Russia should compensate Japan for the Islands, however. Of course, there are other considerations of strategic and resource perspectives, but at the end of the day, the needs of the people living on the islands should win out over the desire of the fatass politicians in Moscow and Tokyo.

  • @Zenmyster
    @Zenmyster 2 роки тому

    I do enjoy hearing Stalin referred to as "the mustache". An appallingly dull bureaucrat, completely undeserving of a cult to his lack of personality.
    Mao deserved to be "the great helmsman" even though he kept running the ship aground.

  • @christiandevey3898
    @christiandevey3898 3 роки тому

    Is Japan still at war with Russia or did it end with the Soviet Union?

    • @Afdch
      @Afdch 3 роки тому +3

      Soviet - Japanese treaty of 1956 has ended the state of the war between 2 countries. There was never a peace treaty though. So i guess a ceasefire? FYI Russia is a successor state of the soviet union and all of its treaties.

    • @jonduong8331
      @jonduong8331 3 роки тому

      @Venera Andskij Russia did declare war with Japan on September 8th 1945.

  • @alexd9735
    @alexd9735 3 роки тому +15

    Hugely overlooked on the west is the significance of Soviet war declaration on Japan. Atomic bombs did not prompt the Japan to surrender and narrative about millions of life's saved (both Japanese and Americans) due to Japan would fight to the death, is established only after the consequences of this de facto war crime, where becoming clear in early '50s. It is a narrative sold to western audiences to justify war crime. Real reason for Japan surrendering is Soviet declaration of war. Ambassador of Japan in Moscow tried to negotiate with Soviets and was rejected. As soon as the news hit Japan, they surrendered next day. Lot of sources on the net , look it up. Probably the biggest myth of WW2

    • @impaugjuldivmax
      @impaugjuldivmax 3 роки тому +8

      same myths as 'allies won the war' while 80% of germans were crashed down on the east. it is all about politics

    • @StalinTheMan0fSteel
      @StalinTheMan0fSteel 3 роки тому +7

      That's the Russian version, there was s naval blockage in place several Months before the surrender (Operation Starvation), Japan was finished. The Imperial Army in Manchukuo had always acted independent of Tokyo. In Japan proper, they had thousands of fighter aircraft but no fuel or skilled pilots. People were starving. It was the end. As far as war crimes, every major nation that fought in that war was guilty.

    • @impaugjuldivmax
      @impaugjuldivmax 3 роки тому +1

      @@StalinTheMan0fSteel blockade does not mean defeat. such blockade can lasts for decades

    • @alexd9735
      @alexd9735 3 роки тому +2

      @@impaugjuldivmax exactly ...D-day, from the sole "body count" perspective, would be considered as mild ordinary skirmish if it happened anywhere on the eastern front. Not downplaying strategic importance, it was hugely important although very late.

    • @alexd9735
      @alexd9735 3 роки тому +4

      @@StalinTheMan0fSteel True about all sides making war crimes although you simply can not find anything on this scale. To deliberately kill several hundreds thousand civilians, knowing there is no any major military target to be hit, its definition of psychopathy. Once they understood that it will be hard sell to domestic audience, they came up with narrative that is today thought in every western school. If you ask today what made Japan surrender, 9 out of 10 will be inline with this narrative, justifying nukes. It a lie in Russian or any version you like. Its also giving interesting insight on how to shape public opinion. Perhaps in 50 years from now, children will be thought that WMD was found in Iraq and that Sadam was 'this close' to nuke NY. So yes, there was few millions victims, but hey, it was necessary, sleep tight and don't worry.

  • @briansmith9439
    @briansmith9439 3 роки тому +9

    Fair and equitable? Like the treatment of POWs held by Japan during the war? Or the respect for human rights displayed by Japan during the war? And don't forget - Japan lost the war. That they continue to exist at all is more than fair and equitable.

    • @juliusraben3526
      @juliusraben3526 3 роки тому

      Remember the backfire of the versaille treaty? Try again :)

    • @ab9840
      @ab9840 3 роки тому +3

      @@juliusraben3526 - Japan could have been divided into three part with Hokkaido become an Ainu republic. Problem solved.

    • @juliusraben3526
      @juliusraben3526 3 роки тому +2

      @@ab9840 hmmm yes, BUT, that not what Brian said or what i was refering to

    • @legokingtm9462
      @legokingtm9462 3 роки тому +2

      @@juliusraben3526 Lol you cant compare small islands with a treaty that rekt the German economy.

    • @juliusraben3526
      @juliusraben3526 3 роки тому

      @@legokingtm9462 i can and i didnt
      Edit: what did brian say, what was my reply and what did i say about those islands?? Im curious if you can read or understand whats written

  • @ernestbatiy1070
    @ernestbatiy1070 2 роки тому

    Such relocations are an underrated evil. I think that the empires believed in contiguous colonialism.

  • @crazyplasmaman5198
    @crazyplasmaman5198 3 роки тому

    The thumbnail looks like a red ape staring at a Japanese flag.

  • @tnarggrant9711
    @tnarggrant9711 3 роки тому +2

    PAFICIF

  • @ligayamatira2164
    @ligayamatira2164 3 роки тому

    We Wish to Feature about the Death of Francisco Franco

  • @meganoobbg3387
    @meganoobbg3387 3 роки тому +5

    Lol, Japan cant even tell the US to get lost and remove all its military bases. Japan also needs to write a new constitution that wasnt written by the US, so they can finally become a truly sovereign nation for the first time since 1945. Before Japan does any of this, how can they expect Russia to give them any territory? They cannot guarantee that the US wont immediately put military bases on those islands. The US doesnt respect verbal or even written treaties.

  • @theprincipalityofstopmotio2146
    @theprincipalityofstopmotio2146 3 роки тому

    I would like to see Japan reclaiming those northern territories, and the rest of the islands become an independent Ainu state.

  • @valentinstoyanov304
    @valentinstoyanov304 3 роки тому +5

    Using unsettled territorial issues as "diplomatic leverages" is a typical approach in the Russian foreign policy. South Ossetia, Abkhasia, Transnisstria, Donetsk, Lugansk etc. are just some of the examples.

  • @kylevolbrecht9255
    @kylevolbrecht9255 3 роки тому +1

    Is Russia actually a continuation of the government of the Soviet Union? Because I'm pretty sure there are some debts everyone would like settled if that's the case.

    • @dyeusdice348
      @dyeusdice348 3 роки тому +3

      Actually Russia paid all the debt's owned by USSR in 2017.

  • @nevitogladito9307
    @nevitogladito9307 3 роки тому

    Get French and Indian war

  • @HistoryOfRevolutions
    @HistoryOfRevolutions 3 роки тому +1

    "The way Japan had tried to build up a modern state modelled on the West was cataclysmic"
    - Kenzaburo Oe

  • @johnarnehansen9574
    @johnarnehansen9574 2 роки тому

    For God's sake! At least, leave ukeaine as it should be! (Albeit being without the eastern regions..)

  • @ira233
    @ira233 3 роки тому +2

    Bro the US occupied whole of Japan and gave them a puppet government to this day so what are you talking about.

    • @shayaldwarka7907
      @shayaldwarka7907 3 роки тому

      No one will cover that

    • @jonduong8331
      @jonduong8331 3 роки тому

      Yes, You're correct. 55000 US troops & counting, occupied across Japan right now.

  • @haraldingling834
    @haraldingling834 2 роки тому +1

    Kuril islands is Japanese territory!

  • @tylerbozinovski427
    @tylerbozinovski427 3 роки тому +5

    This is what the Russians do. They take over land that isn't theirs, while calling everybody else "imperialists". While the Americans have returned the Ryukyu Islands to Japan in the early 1970s, the Soviets/Russians have not even given the smallest unit of territory back to Japan. In just WWII alone, they did the exact same thing to Finland with Viipuri (unfortunately renamed Vyborg), and to Germany with Königsberg (unfortunately renamed Kaliningrad).

    • @travistucker1033
      @travistucker1033 3 роки тому +6

      They offered to return konigsberg in the 90's but with the German population ethnically cleansed and replaced with Russians, Germany declined.

    • @tylerbozinovski427
      @tylerbozinovski427 3 роки тому +1

      @@travistucker1033 It's disputed if the Soviets ever did make that offer. And the Kuril Islands have also been replaced by ethnic Russians, so I fail to see the difference here. It just further proves that forced demographic changes were used by all Russian political entities to solidify their imperial gains.

    • @overlord4404
      @overlord4404 3 роки тому +5

      They did offer kaliningrad and the kurils back, germany refused and japan failed to provide guarantes that their masters wont be allowed to build bases there and that russian ships can freely sail through them, as for finns, nobody cares

    • @tylerbozinovski427
      @tylerbozinovski427 3 роки тому +1

      @@overlord4404 1. It's disputed if it ever actually happened. I personally think it may have, but I cannot confirm this. 2. For Japan, an alliance was more important than a few islands. 3. Unfortunately, yes.

    • @Admin-gm3lc
      @Admin-gm3lc 3 роки тому +10

      Again some dudes blame some soviet crimes on russian people. Japan and Germany lost the war, that means territorial losses, like west Poland, especially after crimes committed. Vyborg was founded by ancient russians as Vybor, later was called as Vyborg until finnish independence. Why Russia should give lands back, it lost the war?

  • @clanpsi
    @clanpsi 3 роки тому +6

    The annexation of this island chain was one of the most cowardly acts in modern history.

    • @Afdch
      @Afdch 3 роки тому +4

      wait what

    • @Admin-gm3lc
      @Admin-gm3lc 3 роки тому +7

      Japan lost the war and now barks as small angry dog on the bear

    • @iagokhvipsen8487
      @iagokhvipsen8487 3 роки тому +1

      Russia is used to backstab allies, assault friendly countries, occupy and support separatists in countries with friendly population.
      basically they are retarded evill character

    • @LalaLa-ze7kv
      @LalaLa-ze7kv 3 роки тому +1

      @@Admin-gm3lc if bear is so strong why did he attack half dead dog 2 minutes before her fight with eagle was over?

    • @Admin-gm3lc
      @Admin-gm3lc 3 роки тому +8

      @@LalaLa-ze7kv Cause the bear was fulfilling his promises to the eagle?

  • @mosesracal6758
    @mosesracal6758 3 роки тому +2

    The Northern Territories are rightfully Japanese, Russia knows this but ceding claims will send a message to other nations that Russia will be willing to surrender its claims, which is certainly not. Russia couldnt care less about the Northern Territories, on the grand scheme of things it does not give that much of a significant benefit to Russia but they cant just give it back because they know they will be opening Pandora's box when they do that.

    • @shayaldwarka7907
      @shayaldwarka7907 3 роки тому +2

      You Americans are always crying, if japan was not a vassal state than Russia would have given them back

    • @uncleadi
      @uncleadi 3 роки тому +2

      The territories are strategically important for Russia, their Pacific Fleet capabilities and the entire economically important North-Sea passage opening due to global warming. They won't give it up easily, especially not to an unfriendly state that is essentially still a vassal to their hostile enemy (US).

  •  3 роки тому

    No, Kuril and Sakhalin are Russian , always will be.

    • @iagokhvipsen8487
      @iagokhvipsen8487 3 роки тому

      hope russia leaves all non-russian land and becomes 25% of todays russia, really soon

  • @pacificostudios
    @pacificostudios 3 роки тому +1

    Karufuto and Chishima were homes for thousands of Japanese people before 1945. They weren't just empty perpetually-frozen land. The old ferry terminal to Karufuto on Hokkaido is still standing. Russia should go back to the Urals and set Siberia free.

    • @Admin-gm3lc
      @Admin-gm3lc 3 роки тому +1

      Maybe Japan deserved it by attacking USA and allying with Hitler, killing people in concentration camps as Germany? Forget these isles, man

    • @pacificostudios
      @pacificostudios 3 роки тому

      @@Admin-gm3lc - Pearl Harbor and the Nazi Holocaust have no connection to Karafuto and Chishima. You must be either high, or a racist.

    • @ab9840
      @ab9840 3 роки тому +1

      While German was divided and lost territory, Japan came out of the war intact when it came to what was considered Japan proper. They only lost the territories of other nations they had conquered by force like Korea, Taiwan and so on. They even got to keep the Ryukyu islands which they had forcibly annexed in 1879. The US even gave them back Iwo Jima which economically Japan does not need and which saw the loss of thousands of US troops during the war. They even were given back by the US Marcus island which today gives Japan ownership of a vast area of valuable resources in the Pacific ocean. And what happened to all the loot they took during WW II. I think they should forget about those islands since they came out of WW II for all purposes intact. Those islands are more something of pride then anything else. By the way, they say the waters around the southern most islands do not freeze over which explains why Russia does not want to give them up. Japan should have taken the deal for Shikotan and the group of rocks off Hokaido. But it seems they are into all or nothing.

    • @pacificostudios
      @pacificostudios 3 роки тому

      @@ab9840 - Karafuto has great timber resources, relative to what Japan has, but the waters are rich with fish. Russia doesn't need Karafuto, and should return it to its rightful residents.

    • @ab9840
      @ab9840 3 роки тому

      According to the Chinese, they are the rightful owners of Sakhalin. They even found a Ming dynasty boundary stone in Sakhalin. Read - www.quora.com/Was-Sakhalin-Island-ever-controlled-by-China

  • @hybridarmyofthegdl2193
    @hybridarmyofthegdl2193 3 роки тому +3

    Kuril Islands - Japan, Smalensk is Belarus, Crimea is Ukraine !

    • @bayan5694
      @bayan5694 3 роки тому

      louder

    • @hybridarmyofthegdl2193
      @hybridarmyofthegdl2193 3 роки тому

      @@bayan5694 Багдан Хмяльніцкі, тыпу таго, падпісаў некалі "глыбокую" інтэграцыю з Масковіяй... Украінскія гісторыкі кажуць, што Хмяльніцкі нічога не падпісваў, і ўсё гэта хлусня! І папер ніякіх не было і няма! А маскоўцы
      кажуцуь, што Хмяльніцкі -- падпісваў, але паперы не захаваліся бо моль іх паела. А ў выніку што? Украіна-Русь на доўгія стагоддзі патрапіла пад маскоўскі бот. Масковія забрала сабе назву Украіны -- Русь, усю яе
      гісторыю, міталёгію, культуру і выдае яе за сваю. Узяць бы таго князя Уладзіміра, які, нібыта, хрысціў маскавітаў, яшчэ і помнікі яму нахабна ставяць. А далей і згадваць не хочацца.... Рэвалюцыя, Грамадзянская
      вайна, Галадамор, рэпрэсіі, генацыд... І нарэшце вайна на Дамбасе, анексія Крыма...

  • @cbrtdgh4210
    @cbrtdgh4210 3 роки тому +16

    If Bokksu were around at the end of WW2, the Kuril Islands would still belong to Japan.

  • @coldwarmilitaria6593
    @coldwarmilitaria6593 3 роки тому +20

    Really interesting

  • @justcallmeSheriff
    @justcallmeSheriff 3 роки тому +77

    The Ainu and Okinawans should compare notes about how their homes are used as Cold War bargaining chips.

    • @kvltntr00
      @kvltntr00 3 роки тому +14

      I was about to comment on a similar vein. Japan has zero right to claim the Ryukyu Islands, Hokkaido, or the Kuril Islands. This doesn't justify other countries' claims, but I certainly have no sympathy for the Japanese position.

    • @cbrtdgh4210
      @cbrtdgh4210 3 роки тому +19

      ​@@kvltntr00 Japan conquered the Ryukyus 400 years ago, becoming a vassal state after that time. By the same logic, China has no right to Xinjiang or Tibet. The USA should shrink back to the Thirteen Colonies or better yet, sail back to Europe.

    • @patricksputnick5094
      @patricksputnick5094 3 роки тому +10

      @@kvltntr00 What makes you think that the Japanese "have zero right" to claim Hokkaido or the islands ? Who has lived in Hokkaido always, and/or is supposed to have lived in Hokkaido in your opinion ?

    • @jonathankessler7436
      @jonathankessler7436 3 роки тому

      actually i'm glad the ainu were relocated away from those valuable lands.

    • @black10872
      @black10872 3 роки тому +2

      @Histori Wrong! Iwo Jima was the airbase that was used to nuke Japan.

  • @ogjk
    @ogjk 3 роки тому +13

    Great video, you should so one on the territorial dispute of Dokdo Island between Japan and South Korea whitch started during the cold War.

  • @deanbuss1678
    @deanbuss1678 3 роки тому +13

    A nugget of history, that's really interesting 👍🤔

  • @leviticusemmanuel4421
    @leviticusemmanuel4421 3 роки тому +10

    Japan will never have those islands.That is the Price Japan has to pay for having american as its security provider. Russia will never give those islands where america will use as it's military base.

  • @DISK2000
    @DISK2000 3 роки тому +10

    "Temporary Occupation of Okinawa".... mhmmm

    • @sodinc
      @sodinc 3 роки тому

      it is nice that it ended so fast, yes?

    • @vasjakur
      @vasjakur 3 роки тому

      Nothing is more permanent than something temporary.

  • @stefanodadamo6809
    @stefanodadamo6809 3 роки тому +15

    Good intentions? Dulles? Be serious.

    • @htrland
      @htrland 3 роки тому +1

      ikr, how can you know for certain that someone's intentions are truly good?

    • @kuzakani4297
      @kuzakani4297 3 роки тому

      @@htrland starting with Japan

  • @tng2057
    @tng2057 3 роки тому +3

    Actually there was a rare chance of reviving the 1956 near agreement, in 1988/89, when the USSR was in financial dire straits and appeared to be keen to cut a deal similar to the 1956 one with Japan hoping for financial aids. As things turned out the USSR was so busy with other things in the dying months and the deal never materialized.

  • @josehasegawa3979
    @josehasegawa3979 Рік тому +1

    I hope those islands should be back to Hokkaido.. Russia don't care and need

  • @JenniferinIllinois
    @JenniferinIllinois 3 роки тому +7

    My bell button is unfortunately no longer under my control. I hope one day that I am able to regain control or it and thus, use it for it's intended purpose. ;)
    Stalin is the Mustache. I think Brezhnev should be the Eyebrows. Hehehe...

  • @DorothyLee939
    @DorothyLee939 3 роки тому +5

    Not just Kuril Islands.. Hokkaido also belonged to Russia

  • @trevortaylor5501
    @trevortaylor5501 3 роки тому +6

    The Russians are right on this one, they were fascist then and that's the consequence. Being Canadian I get it, my grandparents fought them too.

    • @LalaLa-ze7kv
      @LalaLa-ze7kv 3 роки тому

      So u can attack North Korea for it being fascist and as a winner annex part of their land?

    • @trevortaylor5501
      @trevortaylor5501 3 роки тому +1

      @@LalaLa-ze7kv The Koreans have nothing to do with fascism, their communist. I don't agree with their system either. Nor do I agree with this woke nonsense. But fascist deserve to be destroyed immediately as we seen what they did with live footage and historical evidence collected when they lost. Pure evil their politics. Luckily I had old people tell me their stories of the Nazis cruelty to remind why they must be shown no quarter.

    • @monkberrymoon4042
      @monkberrymoon4042 3 роки тому

      @@trevortaylor5501 Well, then, let's be a little precise in our definitions. Japan was a semi-authoritarian state (they still had a functioning parliamentary system) that was ruled by a military junta. Without the corporatism of fascist Italy. It wasn't really a fascist country. I mean, unless you wanna define fascist as "anything I don't like."

    • @trevortaylor5501
      @trevortaylor5501 3 роки тому +1

      @@monkberrymoon4042 Your defending fascism, crazy.

    • @monkberrymoon4042
      @monkberrymoon4042 3 роки тому

      @@trevortaylor5501 You might want to start reading what you reply to.

  • @mrmr446
    @mrmr446 3 роки тому +8

    I hope the establishment of US military bases during and after WW2 gets covered, it wasn't just the moustache who enjoyed planting flags.

  • @youcantalwaysgetwhatyouwan6687
    @youcantalwaysgetwhatyouwan6687 2 роки тому +1

    South Kuril islands would be economically better under Japan

  • @macosta3499
    @macosta3499 3 роки тому +1

    A wonderfull video like always! Could you make a video on Thailand? I can't find any on UA-cam about the situation in the country at this moment.

  • @matiasd5216
    @matiasd5216 Рік тому

    Hi there. Sorry I'm watching like 2 years later.
    Great video as ussual. Just turned excellent in the last minute about the original people of those islands.
    Can you please help me understand these.
    Some territories like Kaliningrad, or Karelia or these Kuril islands... were they anexed by Russia as a SSR or were they anexed by SSRU as a whole? In this last case, when were the territories passed to independent Russia?
    (I do acknowledge legal issues were not much of a problem for Soviet governors, who could just put or take wathever they wanted)

  • @peterwa6567
    @peterwa6567 Рік тому

    just remember, Russian will never returned to the Japanese those inlands, maybe 2 little one

  • @KOTYAR1
    @KOTYAR1 2 роки тому

    Putin ve done screwed this up too

  • @koreytobias5255
    @koreytobias5255 3 роки тому +1

    O the Dulles family again lol

  • @alexchopov
    @alexchopov 3 роки тому +11

    Курилы - Россия! Либо смеритесь, либо приходите проверить - еще и Хоккайдо потеряете в результате!
    С ДНЕМ РОССИИ!!

    • @hybridarmyofthegdl2193
      @hybridarmyofthegdl2193 3 роки тому +3

      Kuril Islands - Japan, Smalensk is Belarus, Crimea is Ukraine !

    • @alexchopov
      @alexchopov 3 роки тому +2

      @@hybridarmyofthegdl2193 take it then. If its theirs - they should take it!

    • @hybridarmyofthegdl2193
      @hybridarmyofthegdl2193 3 роки тому +1

      @@alexchopov Ivan, We Will , dont worry , With cost of “black gold” at 15-23 dollars per barrel, the USSR economy collapsed, and the sovok itself collapsed, and the "golden" horde ("russia") budget can only be fulfilled only with oil price at $ 42.4 and higher

    • @postgradsibstud9321
      @postgradsibstud9321 3 роки тому +4

      @@hybridarmyofthegdl2193 So the oil prices are down for 7 years. Russia is till exist)))))
      Dude, Russia is no so dependant on oil like the USSR. We can feed themselves and even export food abroad.

    • @hybridarmyofthegdl2193
      @hybridarmyofthegdl2193 3 роки тому +1

      @@postgradsibstud9321 „Mосковская империя это Хаос разруха и рабство, Хамы пьяницы и воры, и нечего не может,....“

  • @tibchy144
    @tibchy144 3 роки тому

    if the text say Kurils but it doesn't mention which islands are not included, then it is understood that all of the islands are included