Why does Belarus Exist? (Short Animated Documentary)

Поділитися
Вставка
  • Опубліковано 3 жов 2024
  • Twitter: / tenminhistory
    Patreon: www.patreon.co...
    Merch: teespring.com/...
    Special Thanks to the following Patrons for their support on Patreon:
    Richard Wolfe
    Daniel Lambert
    Chris Fatta
    Kevin Sanders
    sharpie660
    Tom Loghin
    Joshua
    anon
    Warren Rudkin
    John Garcia
    Andrew Niedbala
    Mitchell Wildoer
    Blaine Tillack
    Rastro
    Bernardo Santos
    Ariadni Voulgari
    Will Davis-Coleman
    Danny Anstess
    Perry Gagne
    Henry Rabung
    Shaun Pullin
    Joooooshhhhh
    Vesko Diney
    Adam Barrett
    FuzzytheFair
    Armani_banani
    Byzans_Scotorius
    Jeffrey Schneider
    Haydn Noble
    Spencer Smith
    Josh Cornelius
    Gideon Rashkes
    Cornel Borinã
    Colin Steele
    Richard Maklow
    Chance Cansler
    Gabriel Lunde
    João Santos
    Pierre Le Mouel
    Konstantin Bredyuk
    Seth Reeves
    Why is Belarus a thing? By successive governments slowly giving in over time.
    Sources:
    Understanding Belarus: Belarusian Identity by Grigory Ioffe
    Russification: Word and Practice 1863-1914 by Theodore R. Weeks

КОМЕНТАРІ • 7 тис.

  • @underconstruction6436
    @underconstruction6436 5 років тому +4672

    Her: I wonder what he's thinking about
    Him: Why the hell is Belarus a thing?

    • @PANZERFAUST90
      @PANZERFAUST90 5 років тому +33

      She:*
      He:*

    • @a4yster
      @a4yster 5 років тому +155

      It's very dangerous to think like this for me. My wife is Belarusian. And as we all know wifes are able to read minds.

    • @joshuakevinserdan9331
      @joshuakevinserdan9331 5 років тому +30

      @@a4yster get this out of your mind fast mate... or else.

    • @zhouwu
      @zhouwu 5 років тому

      @@joshuakevinserdan9331 or else what exactly? Actually, not my problem. It's his problem.

    • @joshuakevinserdan9331
      @joshuakevinserdan9331 5 років тому +8

      @@zhouwu it's just a joke mate. :)

  • @ЯрославКурганский-щ9щ

    Me, a Belarusian: opens UA-cam
    UA-cam: why do you exist?

    • @catthomas3097
      @catthomas3097 3 роки тому +272

      But why do you? Ps love the country

    • @arandomyoutubeaccount3166
      @arandomyoutubeaccount3166 3 роки тому +63

      That'd be scary.

    • @Lukas-dk34h
      @Lukas-dk34h 3 роки тому +146

      Just out of curiosity how heavily is your internet censored?

    • @qymb4991
      @qymb4991 3 роки тому +51

      @@lightninggames5614, you can use VPN

    • @qymb4991
      @qymb4991 3 роки тому +24

      @@lightninggames5614, я думаў, што ты кажаш пра такія сайты, як "Радыё Свабода" ці "Белсат"

  • @silenthunteruk
    @silenthunteruk 4 роки тому +19855

    Fun fact: There have been more Presidents of Israel born in Belarus than Presidents of Belarus.

    • @seethrough_treeshrew
      @seethrough_treeshrew 4 роки тому +801

      That's a stupid fact

    • @samuan001
      @samuan001 4 роки тому +1762

      I cannot recall particulars but I've heard such thing: an Israeli minister(?) met with a Polish diplomat and to astonishment of surrounding people, they smoothly switched from English to Polish and started playing chess still chatting in Polish.

    • @ernstschmidt4725
      @ernstschmidt4725 4 роки тому +382

      well that's quite easy if you only count Lukashenko (and maybe the 2 or 3 soviet guys before him)

    • @asik1888
      @asik1888 4 роки тому +51

      @@Бородатый-к2н in general, we don't give a shit about that.

    • @hpyrkh3
      @hpyrkh3 4 роки тому +296

      Territories are not occupied. By international law, territories, such as Judea and Samaria legally belong to Israel. Israel, actually, gave more land away than any country should be expected to. And yes, they had to uproot their citizens from their homes in those territories. BTW, Judea and Samaria used to be governed by Jordan before it lost them in an offensive war against Israel. Since then, Jordan is totally cool with the fact that these lands belong to Israel and even have made peace with Israel since then. There is a lot of misinformation about the territories fueled by ignorance and antisemitism. Educate yourself before becoming one of the ignorant crowd screaming lies that perpetuate human suffering

  • @vilena5308
    @vilena5308 2 роки тому +1366

    Kudos for making a clear distinction between a 'young country' and 'people who have been here for a long time under various names'.
    I get the impression that some, when one talks about the national countries formed in Europe at the end of 20th century, forgets that usually people have been there for 1000+ years while the governments and states have been the ones constantly changing.

    • @singami465
      @singami465 2 роки тому +28

      Belarus as an idea was created (by Russians) around the time where nationalism starter to become a thing - around 18th century. Catherine of Russia just occupied large amounts of the Polish-Lithuanian commonweath and, to prevent Polish uprisings, started to bolster nationalistic extremists, sometimes even making stuff like "Belarus" up, just to prevent the Polish uprisings from organizing. It's all in her letters.

    • @vilena5308
      @vilena5308 2 роки тому +9

      @@singami465 And?

    • @hlibushok
      @hlibushok 2 роки тому +74

      @@vilena5308 He implies that this is a reason for Russia to annex Belarus. Hm... I actually heard that one before somewhere...

    • @Halo_Legend
      @Halo_Legend 2 роки тому

      People also, more often than what you said, I believe, think that a country's history defines its people and more.
      Examples of such bullshit beliefs:
      -My country owned that land 300 years ago, so it is mine.
      -This country once surrendered in a war, so that makes all of their people cowards.
      -This country fought a tough war 100 years ago, so its inhabitants must be very brave naturally.
      -My ancestors from a 1000 years back worshipped a different religion, so that one my country officialy has now is not mine or my people's.
      -The ancestors of that person, which fought a 100 years ago, did war crimes, so their grand kids are responsible for the too.
      No, you boomer leotards - people live only about 80 years and are not responsible for things their ancestors did, good or bad, neither do they inherently inherit their features, virtues or flaws.
      People need to realise that before ever thinking of speaking out on politic topics out loud.

    • @Silver_Prussian
      @Silver_Prussian 2 роки тому +8

      Bro he literaly said that the national identitu formed in the 19th centuary not just the name smae for ukriane there is a study from the university of otawa about how ukraine identity formed in the 19th centuary as well.

  • @timfortune9
    @timfortune9 5 років тому +6790

    Stalin's initial request was that all 15 SSRs get separate seats as per the Soviet definition of each was their own separate state. Truman said that would be fine as a similar definition meant all 48 (at the time) US states would get their own seats as well. Stalin backed down from that.

    • @aderinolamiju
      @aderinolamiju 5 років тому +622

      It’s fair if all 16 states got that. I don’t think it’s any different to if England Scotland, N Ireland and Wales got their own seats

    • @MajesticSkywhale
      @MajesticSkywhale 5 років тому +678

      @@aderinolamiju then would also be fair for the US states right? Our federation is such that each state has semi-autonomy and partial sovereignty

    • @Orzel600
      @Orzel600 5 років тому +428

      Erik Van der Zee no because each State it’s a different nation within another country. Michigan is not a different ethnic and national people from Wisconsin.

    • @nostalgic9597
      @nostalgic9597 5 років тому +561

      @@Orzel600 yeah but Louisiana is pretty different frok Michigan or new England in either case the U.N. isn't meant to represent ethnicitys but political states(specifically so multiethnic states like the soviet union didn't gain too much power) though sometimes autonomous regions are allowed.

    • @FirstnameLastname-cw8ok
      @FirstnameLastname-cw8ok 5 років тому +35

      Ade seats (barring shenanigans) can only be granted to sovereign states.

  • @cyancat5451
    @cyancat5451 5 років тому +10399

    Putin asks himself this question every night

    • @ЯнКалиновский-и2к
      @ЯнКалиновский-и2к 5 років тому +283

      But no one would be glad to see this bitch in Belarus

    • @КрасныйОрёл-л9х
      @КрасныйОрёл-л9х 4 роки тому +174

      @@ЯнКалиновский-и2к speak for yourself.

    • @nowhereman6019
      @nowhereman6019 4 роки тому +753

      I can just imagine Putin laying awake at night looking up at the ceiling thinking "Why the hell does Belarus exist? Should we just annex them?"

    • @cmd9043
      @cmd9043 4 роки тому +144

      Ukraine and belarus should be russian

    • @OrkosUA
      @OrkosUA 4 роки тому +477

      @@cmd9043 and all Europe should be German by your logic.

  • @someguy3766
    @someguy3766 4 роки тому +3283

    Why does Belarus exist?
    Russia: "You ask good questions."

  • @sultanmustafa71
    @sultanmustafa71 2 роки тому +667

    "Why does Belarus exist?", asked Putin calmly.

    • @ketzexi6276
      @ketzexi6276 2 роки тому +1

      Putin doesn't want them lol

    • @joenobody5631
      @joenobody5631 2 роки тому +1

      @@ketzexi6276 Putin already controls them.

    • @uncorr6982
      @uncorr6982 Рік тому +23

      Russia and Belarus are allies and, according to Lukashenko, Belarus is not going to join Russia because they "want to show аn example of cooperation between two independent nations"

    • @TeaAddict141
      @TeaAddict141 Рік тому

      @@uncorr6982 haha, yeah sure. It's obvious that we have a shithead for our president (Lukashenko) and that he sold our country to another shithead who's not right in his head. Truly the saddest part is, that we are still being compared to Russia and as an extent our "political beliefs"

    • @alexis_by
      @alexis_by Рік тому +58

      @@uncorr6982 no, the Belarusian people are not allies, exactly the Lukashenka's regime is an ally. People don't support Lukashenka

  • @portantesbeneficia6166
    @portantesbeneficia6166 3 роки тому +10370

    "As many of you would know, Belarus and Ukraine had their own UN seats when they were under the USSR."
    Me: Ah, yes. I absolutely knew this

    • @DonCristian_DPB
      @DonCristian_DPB 3 роки тому +261

      I did and so did others who watch this type of content regularly, which is why he clearly said "many" not "all". And no, I'm not missing the "joke" , it's just a bad one.

    • @DonCristian_DPB
      @DonCristian_DPB 3 роки тому +48

      @@gofast4476 reported

    • @ДімаБогданов-ъ8ш
      @ДімаБогданов-ъ8ш 3 роки тому +32

      @@DonCristian_DPB you're right, stay with us please

    • @poke-champ4256
      @poke-champ4256 3 роки тому +66

      İ mean guys cristian seems to be on a high horse. But he is right.....

    • @nhandinh7404
      @nhandinh7404 3 роки тому +219

      @@DonCristian_DPB “The lowest is to argue on the internet. Reporting should only be used as a last resort”
      -Internet Sun Tzu

  • @theeNappy
    @theeNappy 3 роки тому +2294

    You neglected to mention how WWII really really REALLY hit Belarus hard. In 1940 there were approximately 9 million people living within the borders of modern day Belarus. By the end of the war approximately 2.29 million were dead, civilians and military personnel counted together. That's 25.3% or a little over 1 in 4 people killed durring the war. That's by far the highest per capita death toll of any single modern nation in WWII, with Poland coming in at a distant but still horrifying second with a death rate of about 17.3%.

    • @LevisH21
      @LevisH21 3 роки тому +9

      was Belarus already formed and within USSR in WW2?
      I thought Belarus formed itself after WW2 was over.

    • @thefeudallord3149
      @thefeudallord3149 2 роки тому +187

      @@LevisH21 ye it was formed before ww2

    • @youssefabdelaal434
      @youssefabdelaal434 2 роки тому +96

      @@LevisH21 it was actually formed in 1919. However it was not recognized by anyone. It controlled some lands from Poland,Ukraine and even Russia

    • @Zmeeed01
      @Zmeeed01 2 роки тому +125

      Let's not forget that Brest, one of the first attacked cities, stood for a whole month against the fresh enemy forces

    • @observr-1
      @observr-1 Рік тому +88

      @@martasorangeberry Belarus was formed before the war

  • @Robbstark2024
    @Robbstark2024 5 років тому +1193

    2:01 I like how France is peeking inside wanting to be a part of the victory but nobody is letting him in

  • @asdin8884
    @asdin8884 Рік тому +1285

    I am Belarusian and for some reason got recommend this video today. To clarify some things, I would say that Belarusians view themselves as a descendants of Grand Duchy of Lithuania as moden day Lithuanians do, and the name of the country doesn't stand for "White Russia", it stands for "White Rus". Rus was a mediaeval land which existed at the territory of modern day Belarus, Ukraine and Western Russia. There was also "Black Rus" because as well as "White Rus" those names were basically just created to name some parts of Rus. "White Rus" or Belarus was further chosen to be a name for the land by Belarusians. And yes, we are not Russians, our land was occupied by the Russian Empire after the end of Polish-Lithuanian commonwealth and that doesn't make us Russians. We speak Russian because of the Russification, but we still have our own language which is actually closer to Ukrainian than to Russian

    • @squidwardfromua
      @squidwardfromua Рік тому +133

      🇺🇦😚⚪🔴⚪

    • @asdin8884
      @asdin8884 Рік тому +78

      @@squidwardfromua 🔴⚪🔴 😙 🇺🇦

    • @asdin8884
      @asdin8884 Рік тому +37

      @@alieska_listapad абавязкова!

    • @plrc4593
      @plrc4593 Рік тому +80

      Long live Belarus! ⬜🟥⬜❤🇵🇱

    • @friday_trickster
      @friday_trickster Рік тому +51

      Everything was exactly as you wrote! Thank you for the historical essay! 🤍🤝

  • @12345678900987659101
    @12345678900987659101 5 років тому +3913

    Fun Fact: The Belorussian People's Republic is the longest government in exile in existence.

    • @timothycook2917
      @timothycook2917 5 років тому +347

      It may be a fact, but I bet it wasn't 'fun' for the government :))

    • @albaruthenia5824
      @albaruthenia5824 4 роки тому +141

      Actually it’s a pre-parliament entity, superior to the government. The government-in-exile led by Ćvikievič acknowledged BSSR and dissolved in 1925, but the Rada (pre-parliament) didn’t.

    • @midge_gender_solek3314
      @midge_gender_solek3314 4 роки тому +145

      These folks negotiated with post-soviet Belarus (that drew heavy influence from BPR), and they were ready to accept it, but it all stopped when Lukashenko's regime began. That's one of the reasons he also changed the coat of arms and the flag.

    • @12345678900987659101
      @12345678900987659101 4 роки тому +34

      @@midge_gender_solek3314 Yeah. Think they're just waiting for him to die or resign (unlikely) now.

    • @gamermapper
      @gamermapper 4 роки тому +9

      You're a koopa from Nintendo games but not fun fact : unfortunately due to some circumstances most Belarusian gamers didn't even heard what is Nintendo and think that the only Mario that exists is super Mario Bros and is the property of Dendy. Its sad because Nintendo makes the best games.

  • @PerryPerry93
    @PerryPerry93 3 роки тому +1229

    Everyone asks "why is Belarus?" but nobody asks "how is Belarus?"

    • @TeaAddict141
      @TeaAddict141 Рік тому +131

      As you might see, not good

    • @cSwDamian
      @cSwDamian Рік тому +44

      @@TeaAddict141 lukashenko disapproves your message

    • @TeaAddict141
      @TeaAddict141 Рік тому +39

      @@cSwDamian oh I meant to say good, grand even thanks to his abilities of a leader

    • @TTTuTTT
      @TTTuTTT Рік тому +31

      Good! And without lukashenko will be better:)

    • @cSwDamian
      @cSwDamian Рік тому +8

      @@TTTuTTT no no no no, lukashenko disagrees 😁

  • @w5527
    @w5527 5 років тому +2031

    I want to know how Tannu Tuva became a thing because it’s so bizarre to me

    • @sarajkishore
      @sarajkishore 5 років тому +28

      True 😂

    • @flyawayq5115
      @flyawayq5115 5 років тому +430

      William Nuno Tannu what?

    • @Rhinelander
      @Rhinelander 5 років тому +375

      It became a thing because the Mongolic Tuva people wanted an independant state. The only reason it ended is that Stalin wanted it to become part of the USSR, and the Tuvans didnt really have much of a choice in the matter.
      It still exists in some form today, as the Tuva Republic in the Russian Federation, but like all other federal subjects of Russia, it is just a puppet to Putins will, and is subject to harsh russianisation.
      I hope this helps.

    • @user-gp5yz5yz4x
      @user-gp5yz5yz4x 5 років тому +1

      Same

    • @liammorris6412
      @liammorris6412 5 років тому +26

      Tannu what ?

  • @jacobharvey2946
    @jacobharvey2946 2 роки тому +151

    Belarus has always been a problematic thing for me. Growing up we were always simply told, “your grandfather’s parents were both from Russia.” (Maybe it was his grandparents, I don’t recall off the top of my head.) Later on I found out they were both from Minsk, their families moved to NYC separately when they were young, they met and got married. This was all around the turn of the 20th century. So I’ve taken to simply calling them Belarusian. But it’s obviously not all that simple.

    • @Kate-kl5hf
      @Kate-kl5hf 2 роки тому +17

      It depends when they left Minsk. If before 1918, Belarus as a name for a nation didn't exist yet. People called themselves "tutejshyje" - "someone who lives here". They didn't speak neither Russia nor Polish. They spoke language descent to language that was used in Lithuanian commonwealth statute - it's closer to Ukrainian than to Russian (fun fact, Lithuanian commonwealth didn't use language that is common in modern Lithuania).
      If they left after 1918, Minsk was a part of BSSR. That's surprising that they said they were from Russia and not from USSR or BSSR

    • @anatolfrombelarus7940
      @anatolfrombelarus7940 Рік тому +6

      At the beginning of the 20th century, Belarus (and Poland, for example) was part of the Russian Empire.

    • @Beloveshkin
      @Beloveshkin Рік тому +4

      Glad to meet you my belarusian brother!)

    • @TTTuTTT
      @TTTuTTT Рік тому +5

      @@Kate-kl5hf actually no, they called themself Belarusians

    • @MrVafflis
      @MrVafflis Рік тому +2

      @@Kate-kl5hf they used the lithuanian language ALONGSIDE old-belarussian language which has nothing to do with modern Belarus. LOL.

  • @PitofTrogness
    @PitofTrogness 4 роки тому +2706

    0:03 Stalin trying to sneak into heaven lol

    • @wrjtung3456
      @wrjtung3456 3 роки тому +113

      Why is Mc Arthur here and horse

    • @WellWisdom.
      @WellWisdom. 3 роки тому +59

      Good eye!

    • @speedypichu6833
      @speedypichu6833 3 роки тому +49

      George Washington is also their

    • @speedypichu6833
      @speedypichu6833 3 роки тому +7

      @@heinzerr I agree with that.

    • @Mr.Heller
      @Mr.Heller 3 роки тому +33

      @@heinzerr Why, he was a military general and killed a shit ton of people, the cause doesn't matter.

  • @justnoob8141
    @justnoob8141 4 роки тому +621

    USSR: Dissolve
    Yugo: So anyway, I started blasting

    • @Zmeeed01
      @Zmeeed01 2 роки тому +1

      The Eastern Bloc: bowling noises

  • @xaviersaavedra7442
    @xaviersaavedra7442 5 років тому +1804

    0:03 lol Stalin trying to sneak into heaven

    • @josesalas6750
      @josesalas6750 5 років тому +71

      I just notice that, i was about to say it😂😂 hahaha

    • @OdotJdot
      @OdotJdot 5 років тому +16

      YES LMAOOOOOO

    • @athish-REAL
      @athish-REAL 5 років тому +5

      😂😂

    • @tjb_6203
      @tjb_6203 5 років тому +56

      Why tho? With his beautiful moustache he could just walk in and not being recognised

    • @Kanohoro
      @Kanohoro 5 років тому +5

      ​Maybe he could pass himself off as Elgar?
      I think I just vomited in my mouth saying that

  • @maksym_loshysh
    @maksym_loshysh Рік тому +832

    «Belarus» doesn’t mean «White Russia», it means «White Rus'»

  • @gagetolinwrites6845
    @gagetolinwrites6845 3 роки тому +571

    Fun fact: The Belarusian government from 1919 is officially still in exile and is thusly the oldest government in exile in the modern era

    • @Freedmoon44
      @Freedmoon44 2 роки тому +56

      Are they even alive to count as "in exile" anymore
      Because otherwise its like that one war the netherland had with those few islands that irl lasted not long zt all but officially lasted centuries becaus people just forgot it was technically relevant at one point

    • @capncake8837
      @capncake8837 2 роки тому +17

      @@Freedmoon44 Yes, they are still alive.

    • @hlibushok
      @hlibushok 2 роки тому +4

      Didn't they return from the exile after USSR's collapse? If they did, then they are exiled for just 25 years or so.

    • @canofs0up
      @canofs0up 2 роки тому

      let me explain this to you in idiot terms
      1919
      1991
      thats about 70-80 years of exile.

    • @andreman2767
      @andreman2767 Рік тому +32

      @@hlibushok They wanted to send their legitimacy to newly established independent belarusian state, but they waited until constitution and first presidental elections... so after it becacase of establishing of authocratic rule they dont send legitimacy

  • @masakalita5983
    @masakalita5983 5 років тому +160

    as a belarusian:
    before watching it: I feel personally attacked.
    after watching it: That's some nice research you did.

    • @timothycook2917
      @timothycook2917 5 років тому +1

      Are you single? And do you happen to own an airline? 😁

    • @cioccolateriaveneziana
      @cioccolateriaveneziana Рік тому +6

      I'm from the former Eastern Block too and I totally understand the feeling :-))

  • @zakiducky
    @zakiducky 4 роки тому +473

    Anything: *exists*
    History Matters: _Why do you exist?_

    • @KAvanAlten
      @KAvanAlten 4 роки тому +16

      A short answer to all of those questions when it comes to land is simply: because some of it's inhabintants wanted to.

    • @nunyabusiness5275
      @nunyabusiness5275 3 роки тому +3

      Because history matters

    • @rayh6118
      @rayh6118 3 роки тому +4

      Philosophy 100

    • @Janoip
      @Janoip 3 роки тому +3

      @@KAvanAlten Or another country, e.g. as a buffer state.
      Other examples would be the funny countries that Europeans have set up in Africa.

    • @KAvanAlten
      @KAvanAlten 3 роки тому +2

      @@Janoip Let me simplify it for you: history exists because mankind wants it to. It is not that the apples hanging in the trees have any need for it.

  • @matthieuzglurg6015
    @matthieuzglurg6015 2 роки тому +12

    "Belarus shouldn't be seen as some offshoot of Russia"
    Putin and Loukachenko : I'm gonna pretend I didn't hear that

  • @dl_supertroll
    @dl_supertroll 4 роки тому +3210

    Next episode: Why doesn't Wyoming exist?

    • @robertrichard6107
      @robertrichard6107 4 роки тому +39

      Wyoming is subsidiary of Tea Pot Dome.

    • @lucascurtis9338
      @lucascurtis9338 4 роки тому +114

      You fool were all in Wyoming and we allways have been

    • @dl_supertroll
      @dl_supertroll 4 роки тому +42

      @@lucascurtis9338 dark

    • @YourVintageStick
      @YourVintageStick 4 роки тому +24

      Never heard of it

    • @joso5681
      @joso5681 4 роки тому +67

      Wyoming does not exist, because it's all Ohio

  • @codysodyssey3818
    @codysodyssey3818 5 років тому +2207

    I met a Belarusian in Vietnam. She was *very* adamant that she wasn't Russian. But unfortunately I can't speak Russian and she spoke very little English so that was the extent of the conversation.

    • @whatifgodisjustlegs3344
      @whatifgodisjustlegs3344 3 роки тому +81

      So uh how are you? Cykablayt

    • @solderbuff
      @solderbuff 3 роки тому +196

      It's pretty much the same now as wondering why Irish people are not British or why Scottish are not Englishmen.

    • @arbendit4348
      @arbendit4348 3 роки тому +104

      @@solderbuff In the British Isles people do not have a shared common heritage. Russia, Ukraine and Belarus, are much more united in that.

    • @solderbuff
      @solderbuff 3 роки тому +128

      @@arbendit4348, ulitmately, all people have the same heritage. It's just a matter or when the splits and reunifications happened.

    • @arbendit4348
      @arbendit4348 2 роки тому +41

      @@solderbuff True, but some are closer or further away from one another.

  • @andreman2767
    @andreman2767 5 років тому +2126

    As a belarusian, some mistakes:
    Mentioned terminology (other's comment) - "Belarus does not mean "white Russia" it means 'white Rus'.
    The Rus were the eastern slavic people who were organized by the vikings into the Kiev-Rus state. So the Belarussians, Russians and Ukranians are descendants of the Rus, but Rus should not be confused as being synonymous with Russia alone."
    BNR wasn't puppet state of Germany, because when BNR was declared after All-Belarusian Congress, Germans not even recognize it unlike either Lithuania or Ukraine. It hasn't all state power, however.
    There are acrually 3 enlargements: in 1924, 1926 and 1939, but those in 1926 was not big and i understand why it was'n mentioned. Also, on map of 1939 enlargement we can see terrotory of USSR to the West of Belarus - it's was actually a part of B. and that time, but after 1945 this territory was transferred to Poland

    • @elaravi
      @elaravi 5 років тому +394

      > So the Belarussians, Russians and Ukranians are descendants of the Rus, but Rus should not be confused as being synonymous with Russia alone.
      Thank you. At least someone said it. I want this as some sort of auto-reply for dumb "hurr durr Rus means Russia" comments.

    • @andreman2767
      @andreman2767 5 років тому +11

      @@elaravi I only quoted this from comment of someone, but if i would not found it, i wrote it myself

    • @TheLocalLt
      @TheLocalLt 5 років тому +86

      Andre Man Rus = Ruthene = Ukrainian, Belarus = White Ruthene. Russia wasn’t a thing until later but the legacy undoubtedly also starts with Rus and the Varangians.

    • @gilgameschvonuruk4982
      @gilgameschvonuruk4982 5 років тому +19

      how is the polish lithuanian commonwealth seen in Belarus?

    • @iliakolas7631
      @iliakolas7631 5 років тому +134

      @@gilgameschvonuruk4982 Depends on who's been asked. A pro-russian soviet sympathiser (such as Lukoshenko for instance) would treat the commonwealth as the nearly absolute evil, accusing it of enslaving Belarus folk. Meanwhile most of patriotic movements would rather say the opposite thing, since they see Belarus as a descendent of the Grand Duchy of Lithuania

  • @DK-hs3oz
    @DK-hs3oz 2 роки тому +8

    Seems much more important to study now... Due to current events. Good stuff; informative, short, and entertaining.. thanks for all you do.

  • @rolandramos6926
    @rolandramos6926 5 років тому +4032

    Belarusian people: *looks at title*
    Am I a joke to you?
    Edit: I thought Ukraine was a war zone, not Belarus. Calm down replies

    • @mangachu3626
      @mangachu3626 5 років тому +95

      no one there will even see this title. It's a brutal dictatorship. (See correction)

    • @XD-bx6ee
      @XD-bx6ee 5 років тому +167

      @@mangachu3626 that doesn't mean that they don't use internet, so plently of ppl will see this title

    • @xenosnowk6800
      @xenosnowk6800 5 років тому +279

      @@mangachu3626 lol Belarus Is a dictatorship but by no means brutal mate, the Internet is easily accessible and not blocked at all

    • @evanwaffle5378
      @evanwaffle5378 5 років тому +2

      Yes

    • @mangachu3626
      @mangachu3626 5 років тому +15

      @@xenosnowk6800 I for myself would consider regime to be brutal that has a human rights situation like the one mentioned in the article above.

  • @CannedBread-mz2tx
    @CannedBread-mz2tx 5 років тому +282

    0:04 Ah I see History Matters is a man of culture as well...

    • @ilgj05
      @ilgj05 5 років тому +26

      Are we the result of some cosmic coincidence, or is there really a God? I dunno man, but it keeps me up at night.

    • @charliesinferno
      @charliesinferno 5 років тому +22

      @@ilgj05 ...what? I meant why are we here? In this canyon?

    • @BlandSpagetti
      @BlandSpagetti 5 років тому +13

      Señor Koza This is Reb vs Blue

    • @ilgj05
      @ilgj05 5 років тому +5

      @@charliesinferno Oh, uh yeah.....

    • @xaviersaavedra7442
      @xaviersaavedra7442 5 років тому +4

      Yep, in the canyon too.

  • @-socialcredit
    @-socialcredit 5 років тому +228

    2:29 i love how while you're explaining this, Yugoslavia is just doing Yugoslav things

    • @rogerbertrand9406
      @rogerbertrand9406 2 роки тому +4

      @@stefansavic4799 this is very beaitiful, thankyou for Sharing.

  • @edinogogg
    @edinogogg Рік тому +18

    This is actually surprisingly accurate video on why do we still have problems with defining our nationality and it’s roots. Many thanks for explaining it to the Internet.

  • @antoniogoncalves2145
    @antoniogoncalves2145 4 роки тому +282

    Country - * exists*
    James Bisonette's idol - why

  • @ramantarasov715
    @ramantarasov715 5 років тому +2880

    As a Belarussian I can definitely confirm that I exist, but then again, our culture is dying, since we our main language is russian,and that’s quite sad.

    • @ximrade4287
      @ximrade4287 5 років тому +124

      Lukashenko is trying to Change that He Is renaming things to Bellarusian.

    • @ramantarasov715
      @ramantarasov715 5 років тому +377

      Czech Silesian Mapper it’s pointless if our whole population uses Russian to communicate.

    • @luxembourgishempire2826
      @luxembourgishempire2826 5 років тому +27

      @@ramantarasov715 Would you say Geography Now's video on Belarus was accurate?
      Btw you should ask Asa to do a video on Belarus.

    • @kaczynskis5721
      @kaczynskis5721 5 років тому +30

      @@ramantarasov715 Lee Harvey Oswald was sent to Minsk after his rather strange defection to the USSR. Minsk was and presumably still is quite Russian-speaking and Oswald worked on his command of Russian there.

    • @MrStolboy
      @MrStolboy 5 років тому +87

      Because you are russian, their id no such thing as belarus

  • @user-yv4mm6bx3c
    @user-yv4mm6bx3c 3 роки тому +286

    That was a lot of work for the subtle "Red vs Blue" reference. That half of a second bit does not go unnoticed. Well played sir.

    • @Hand-in-Shot_Productions
      @Hand-in-Shot_Productions 2 роки тому

      When was it?

    • @user-yv4mm6bx3c
      @user-yv4mm6bx3c 2 роки тому +15

      @@Hand-in-Shot_Productions At the very beginning when History Matters asks the question "Why are we here?"

    • @countvladious7805
      @countvladious7805 2 роки тому

      @@user-yv4mm6bx3c just put the timestamp my guy🤣

    • @user-yv4mm6bx3c
      @user-yv4mm6bx3c 2 роки тому +5

      @@countvladious7805 The shot is so quick at the beginning a timestamp isn't worth it.

    • @dinotherestartgamer6645
      @dinotherestartgamer6645 2 роки тому +3

      @Hand-in-Shot Productions
      It's 4 seconds into the video

  • @MasterofPokemonGing
    @MasterofPokemonGing 2 роки тому +214

    My German teacher was Belarusian. She looked like a doll (In the sense she was beautiful and had nice clothes) and was about my same age. I tried to make friends with her but nothing. She was like a wall. She was a great teacher and has been the best German prof I had

  • @mjr_schneider
    @mjr_schneider 5 років тому +878

    Glad we got that cleared up. Now I just need to figure out why Moldova exists.

    • @reinatr4848
      @reinatr4848 5 років тому +72

      Molotov Ribbentrop

    • @RoScFan
      @RoScFan 5 років тому +30

      1812 russo Turkish war.

    • @RoScFan
      @RoScFan 5 років тому +8

      or 1821 i forget which

    • @brandonlyon730
      @brandonlyon730 5 років тому +87

      Bigger question is why Macedonia exist?

    • @scorpixel1866
      @scorpixel1866 5 років тому +12

      So that we could get Gandalf bopping his head at the sound of a saxophone for ten hours

  • @A_annoying_rodent
    @A_annoying_rodent 5 років тому +853

    No one:
    History matters to belarus: why are you?

    • @johnyoung4441
      @johnyoung4441 5 років тому +49

      Why are you gey?

    • @Gala-yp8nx
      @Gala-yp8nx 5 років тому +6

      Why is Gamorra?

    • @Wiggyam
      @Wiggyam 5 років тому +3

      Wherefore art thou?

    • @PANZERFAUST90
      @PANZERFAUST90 5 років тому +4

      No one:..........(blank)
      so, everyone?

    • @cv4809
      @cv4809 5 років тому +2

      You're not unique

  • @petartoshkov2076
    @petartoshkov2076 4 роки тому +2206

    "Was Belarus another successor of the Grand Duchy of Lithuania?"
    No it is probably yet another successor of the Roman Empire

    • @mikeoxmaul45
      @mikeoxmaul45 4 роки тому +36

      Restore the Tsar!
      Emperors 4 lyf

    • @jic1
      @jic1 4 роки тому +76

      You're thinking of Liechtenstein.

    • @careforthemachine
      @careforthemachine 4 роки тому +116

      Minsk is the Fourth Rome

    • @offix079
      @offix079 4 роки тому +14

      More like Romanov empire :p

    • @unknownuser1430
      @unknownuser1430 4 роки тому +99

      The old belarusian language was the official language of the Grand Duchy of Lithuania)

  • @deadmansgamble9895
    @deadmansgamble9895 Рік тому +48

    Fun facts about Belarus:
    1) The first settlements found in excavations are about 30,000 years ago
    2) The first mention of full-fledged Belarusian cities - 9th century
    3) The first princedom in the territory of Belarus appeared in the 9th century, the Principality of Polotsk.
    4) The first mention of "Belaya Rus" was in the 13th century.
    5) There were wars with the Russian Principality and the Russian Empire for several centuries.
    6) However, the full name "Belarus" appeared only in the 19th century.

    • @hopeltu
      @hopeltu Рік тому

      fun fact about Belarus people:
      they trying to steal Lithuanian history and pretend that its theirs

    • @KiprasGavenas
      @KiprasGavenas Місяць тому

      Was the belarusian city polotsk? You talkes about

  • @jazaniac
    @jazaniac 4 роки тому +321

    Me: hey grandpa, are you ever gonna take us to Belarus to see our heritage?
    My grandpa: why tf would you want to go there

    • @yrizel1620
      @yrizel1620 3 роки тому +24

      My great grandparents said the same thing about Poland, they were Holocaust survivors refugees especially victims of persecution do not wanna go back and I’m sure you could see that now with what’s happening in Belarus

    • @iammaxhailme
      @iammaxhailme 3 роки тому +11

      My Grandmother said the same thing about... Denmark?

    • @garrettblaster
      @garrettblaster 3 роки тому +1

      As an American I would love to travel Belarus and Russia, just need to learn more Russian only know about 20 words haha

    • @iammaxhailme
      @iammaxhailme 3 роки тому +2

      @@lavochat15 yeah its confusing to me too

    • @minimini550
      @minimini550 3 роки тому +2

      @@iammaxhailme I think you should visit our little country sometime ☺️ Maybe grandma just needs to be reminded of the pastries and she’ll join? 🥨

  • @Mountain_Man_
    @Mountain_Man_ 5 років тому +340

    "Why are we here?"
    It's one of life's great mysteries isn't it? Why are we here? I mean, are we the product of some cosmic coincidence, or is there really a God watching everything? You know, with a plan for us and stuff. I don't know, man, but it keeps me up at night.
    (You think someone wouldn't post it)

    • @xdguy2569
      @xdguy2569 5 років тому +37

      I mean why are we in this canyon

    • @Joshua_23
      @Joshua_23 5 років тому +4

      What is the meaning of lif-I mean memes

    • @keineangabe6718
      @keineangabe6718 5 років тому +9

      Read the new testament, Jesus lives

    • @philismenko
      @philismenko 5 років тому +2

      ^Someone told me to fuck off when I said that once

    • @davidblack9362
      @davidblack9362 5 років тому +4

      If a god exists and has a plan for us, it's doing a piss-poor job of explaining it. Fortunately, no god, no plan, we're on our own, for which I, for one, am grateful.

  • @verit3839
    @verit3839 5 років тому +255

    2:30 Yugoslavia isn't having a good time

    • @darthhoovy8332
      @darthhoovy8332 5 років тому +16

      SERBIA STRONK starts playing in the distance.....

    • @hunterbg7531
      @hunterbg7531 5 років тому +15

      Yeah this is tipical for the balkan's

    • @neptuneseye7832
      @neptuneseye7832 5 років тому +5

      Let the comment section war begin!

    • @sadkaori5678
      @sadkaori5678 5 років тому +6

      I See you've choosen death

    • @mobzillamurphy9110
      @mobzillamurphy9110 5 років тому +3

      BOSNIAN anthem in the distance..

  • @NunoVippan
    @NunoVippan 2 роки тому +7

    I love how at 2:28 a war in Yugoslavia is represented quite appropriately.

  • @george1234able
    @george1234able 5 років тому +361

    Why is it whenever I think of something, this channel makes a video about it.
    I’m scared please stop

    • @Erick-zn1dn
      @Erick-zn1dn 5 років тому +18

      Me too brotha, literaly 5 days ago I was thinking why Belarus exist

    • @erikperik1671
      @erikperik1671 5 років тому +3

      yes

    • @CoolNinja925
      @CoolNinja925 5 років тому +6

      Bruh same lmao. I was also thinking of Belarus, and why it's not called Byelorussia or Belarussia like it previously was during the Soviet Era.

    • @EugeneAyindolmah
      @EugeneAyindolmah 5 років тому +3

      Next there will he a video ober Luxemburg Austria and Belgium

    • @jeremydurant8755
      @jeremydurant8755 5 років тому

      I was just talking to my Friends about the History of Belarus and why it exists.... this is weird....

  • @sniperbasic2563
    @sniperbasic2563 3 роки тому +39

    0:03 it's one of life's great mysteries

  • @anolahtinen
    @anolahtinen 5 років тому +150

    "Hey griff. You ever wonder why we're here?"

    • @kathic6402
      @kathic6402 5 років тому +3

      No.

    • @KINGOD7
      @KINGOD7 5 років тому +6

      It is one of lifes greatest mysteries

    • @anolahtinen
      @anolahtinen 5 років тому +2

      @@KINGOD7 Yessssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssss

    • @GenkiGanbare
      @GenkiGanbare 5 років тому +2

      It looks more like a puma to me

    • @cakebear9534
      @cakebear9534 5 років тому +1

      Red vs. Blue reference my friend

  • @MrKostkapotocki
    @MrKostkapotocki 2 роки тому +99

    You forgot about a couple of important points before XIX century. Until 1690 Belarusian was language in which official documents of Grand Duchy of Lithuania were issued. Also polonization of Lithuaniam elite usually had following sequence firstly it was ruthenization and then polonization. A this revolt wasnt just Belarusian revolt. It was rather Polish revolt in which national hero of Belarus Kalinowski seen help for his nation.

    • @Blackwing2345635
      @Blackwing2345635 Рік тому +10

      Yeap, video makes it look like russian invented Belarus

    • @KaZiK_LT
      @KaZiK_LT Рік тому +5

      @@Blackwing2345635 well, actually, term Belorussia is indeed russian invention. No one ever used it before occupation by Russian Empire

    • @singami465
      @singami465 Рік тому

      @@Blackwing2345635 They pretty much did.

    • @MrVafflis
      @MrVafflis Рік тому +2

      "Were issued" in the territory in current Belarus and Ukraine not throughout all GDP. Russians and Belarussians with their alternate history...

    • @cv990a4
      @cv990a4 Рік тому +7

      Broadly-speaking, the split between Ukraine and Belarus reflects the fact that most of Ukraine ended up in the Polish part of the Polish-Lithuanian commonwealth, whereas most of Belarus ended up in the Lithuanian part. Ukrainian and Belarusian languages are much closer to each other than either of those is to Russian.

  • @OneOnOne1162
    @OneOnOne1162 5 років тому +15

    0:04 - Love the Red vs. Blue reference.

  • @bubble4072
    @bubble4072 3 роки тому +9

    that Red vs Blue reference was so good, love your content man.

  • @Jefrings
    @Jefrings 4 роки тому +589

    So basically, Stalin was allowed 3 votes at the UN decisions insted of 1.
    Now that's a great thinking!

    • @arianas0714
      @arianas0714 4 роки тому +127

      @sujajajjaakakajjs They actually did, but then US asked for 48 votes, kek

    • @arianas0714
      @arianas0714 4 роки тому +48

      @sujajajjaakakajjs You get a vote! YOU get a vote! Everyone gets a vote!

    • @jakeryan4545
      @jakeryan4545 4 роки тому +39

      It was actually a win win (kinda). The US wanted the Soviets to join (because if they didn't the system would fail). The Soviets didn't want to join and get out voted. They negotiated the number of seats (with the arguments already mentioned in the comments). And while the real goal was to get Soviet participation in the system, because New York was already going to be the main seat of the UN, US politicians were able to tell their voters that they "traded" the three votes in order to get the UN HQ. (which really was more of a benefit to the UN than the US, but prestige is always good).

    • @JonatasAdoM
      @JonatasAdoM 4 роки тому +2

      He did control 3 times as many countries back then.

    • @Gloverfield
      @Gloverfield 4 роки тому +1

      Ikr

  • @davidlance4683
    @davidlance4683 2 роки тому +8

    This has gotten really relevant.

  • @MrGod-zb5yt
    @MrGod-zb5yt 4 роки тому +239

    History Matters: "Why does Belarus exist"
    Me: "In a week it probably wont anymore"

    • @olgazhmako8752
      @olgazhmako8752 4 роки тому +9

      Don't even dream about Belarus not existing.

    • @slavsya
      @slavsya 4 роки тому +1

      @senstarlight I presume you'd rather see your country suffer the same fate as eastern Ukraine than be under a dictator....as long as your people don't join nato and eu but remain neutral like Finland I'm sure good things will happen to Belarus

    • @KouNagai
      @KouNagai 4 роки тому

      I am coming from future, it still exist and we still ask why it exist

    • @nicholasluigi
      @nicholasluigi 4 роки тому +1

      If Russia invades, NATO will get involved, potentially starting a world war.

    • @roadhigher
      @roadhigher 4 роки тому +2

      @@nicholasluigi Belarus would have to join NATO basically immediately for them to offer any help, a process which can take Months if not Years.
      The second Lukashenko is ousted and a Pro-Western government is set up, Russian troops would roll in under pretext of "restoring Order", and NATO wouldn't have any legal or legitimate reasons for backing Belarus.

  • @ABurgess
    @ABurgess 4 роки тому +101

    FINALLY i can sleep. Its been years.

  • @scottl4414
    @scottl4414 4 роки тому +10

    I'm just watching this for the first time and as a history teacher and avid Halo fan, I have to say I absolutely love your videos and appreciate the Red v. Blue reference that 99% of your fan base probably missed

  • @dontfrownillleaveq_q8605
    @dontfrownillleaveq_q8605 2 роки тому +22

    Belarus in Indonesian is 'Belarusia' and 'bela' means 'defend' here, so when I was little I thought it was cute that they name their country as 'Defend Russia' haha, what a bff!

    • @plrc4593
      @plrc4593 2 роки тому +16

      Please, don't confuse Rus with Russia. Russians claims Rus=Russia, but it's not true.

    • @Ловушкачикибамбони
      @Ловушкачикибамбони Рік тому +1

      The word "Rus" in "Belarus" actually means more land, then Russia. The same word was used in Kievskaya Rus, which means Kievskaya land. But yeah, you can still joke that Belarus means white Russia, even Belarus people joke about it lol

    • @dontfrownillleaveq_q8605
      @dontfrownillleaveq_q8605 Рік тому +1

      @@plrc4593 I didn't, I'm aware what the Rus are. But in my language Russia is Rusia, hence the connection with Belarusia.

  • @andresland182
    @andresland182 5 років тому +241

    Had no idea both Belarus and Ukraine had a seat at the UN while being part of the USSR.

    • @alexandergangaware429
      @alexandergangaware429 3 роки тому +28

      Stalin wanted all the SSR's to get a seat, but America demanded that every state get a seat then, and so the compromise was reached. Pro Gamer move on Truman's part. Who gives a shit about UNGA? Security Council is where the action is.

    • @erenyeager6478
      @erenyeager6478 3 роки тому +6

      @@alexandergangaware429 Instead of having one vote on UNGA they gave USSR other 12 votes LMAO
      Americans are really smart

    • @nailersrule
      @nailersrule 3 роки тому +7

      @@erenyeager6478 2 more.

    • @Toxin___InterHalfer
      @Toxin___InterHalfer 3 роки тому +2

      When Poroshenko (Ukraine's president) brought that up about Ukraine I rushed to google it and was very surprised

    • @kosta2177
      @kosta2177 3 роки тому +7

      @@Toxin___InterHalfer yeah, but two years ago Ukrainians voted for the clown as a president

  • @benjaminprewitt4281
    @benjaminprewitt4281 5 років тому +36

    Omfg a RVB reference in a history video about Belarus. Simply and utterly beautiful.

  • @bluebaron4298
    @bluebaron4298 5 років тому +20

    I to be honest when read the title 'Why does Belarus Exist?' I didn't expect a RvB reference in the first 5 seconds

  • @Stepanmc
    @Stepanmc Рік тому +10

    The history is much much longer.
    At some moments there were kingdoms with capitals on the territory of modern Belarus ( Polotsk, Novogrudok)

    • @hopeltu
      @hopeltu Рік тому

      why yall trying to steal Lithuanian history?

    • @vasiliykarachun
      @vasiliykarachun 8 місяців тому

      ​@@hopeltuPrincipality of Polotsk, Turov, etc were close tied to kiev rus and then conquered by novgorod duchy. Only in 13 century Lithuanians captured them, and the rest of the ruthenia (remains of kiev rus) pretty much didnt put a fight because of that. Official name for lithuania was Grand Duchy of Lithuania, Ruthenia and etc. Grand Duchy at some point did even claim ruthenian throne. Also almost all official documents were written in ruthenian language (predecessor to russian, ukrainian and belorussian). Population of grand duchy consisted of 30% Lithuanians, 10% polish and 60% of ruthenians.

  • @zedxyle
    @zedxyle 5 років тому +342

    Belarus does not mean "white Russia" it means 'white Rus'.
    The Rus were the eastern slavic people who were organized by the vikings into the Kiev-Rus state. So the Belarussians, Russians and Ukranians are descendants of the Rus, but Rus should not be confused as being synonymous with Russia alone.

    • @ptero
      @ptero 5 років тому +17

      ..and the term existed in 16th century, not 19th

    • @sohopedeco
      @sohopedeco 5 років тому +8

      In Portuguese, we call it "Bielorrússia" (you might guess Rússia means Russia).

    • @CobraRedstone
      @CobraRedstone 5 років тому +32

      Russia is Rusija. The name of Russia means land of the Rus

    • @hueylongdong347
      @hueylongdong347 5 років тому +10

      In Latvian we call it White Russia

    • @aaronmarks9366
      @aaronmarks9366 5 років тому +1

      @@hueylongdong347 That's beast of a username. How did a Latvian even come to know who Huey Long is, when tons of Americans don't know?

  • @vegisamalzero3681
    @vegisamalzero3681 5 років тому +80

    0:03 Godammit, now I have to binge watch Red vs Blue again.

    • @lapisleafuli1817
      @lapisleafuli1817 5 років тому +4

      That is the law. If you don't you will be sarged.

    • @togrulhuseynli7600
      @togrulhuseynli7600 5 років тому

      not only watch it,but buy it on steam for permanent

  • @Fummy007
    @Fummy007 3 роки тому +8

    Belarus: Exists
    V Putin: "and I took that personally"

  • @plrc4593
    @plrc4593 2 роки тому +348

    I just want to say one thing: long live Belarus! Greetings from Poland, friends 🇵🇱❤🇧🇾

    • @littlemacisunderrated412
      @littlemacisunderrated412 2 роки тому +5

      Black is white, Mexicans are pooling into Texas, Japan and North Korea are best friends, Taiwan took the mainland back, and my username isn’t just wishful thinking

    • @AirMadeKat
      @AirMadeKat 2 роки тому +5

      @@littlemacisunderrated412 ???

    • @littlemacisunderrated412
      @littlemacisunderrated412 2 роки тому +15

      @@AirMadeKat Poland and Belarus are well known enemies, like, super well known.
      So a polish man saying long live belarus is unusual

    • @AirMadeKat
      @AirMadeKat 2 роки тому +1

      @@littlemacisunderrated412 Oh i though you were advertising your channel but that makes since

    • @Suksass
      @Suksass 2 роки тому +75

      @@littlemacisunderrated412 huh? Poland and Belarus are not well known enemies.
      Where did you get that idea?

  • @sirjj3123
    @sirjj3123 5 років тому +8

    2:29 I like that little attention to detail you did with Yugoslavia.

  • @GenkiGanbare
    @GenkiGanbare 5 років тому +15

    "Why are we here?" *Grif and Simmons in Blood Gulch*
    Holy shit I got a 15 year whiplash

  • @sonoftheway3528
    @sonoftheway3528 5 років тому +37

    0:27 WHEN THE WINGED HUSSARS ARRIVED! (on the left)

  • @kevintung9152
    @kevintung9152 2 роки тому +6

    Belarus: *exists*
    History Matters: “Why?”

  • @icrushchildrensdreams4556
    @icrushchildrensdreams4556 5 років тому +191

    Belarus exists because it almost makes the perfect shape of poland-lithuania if you play on creative mode

    • @1MuchButteR1
      @1MuchButteR1 5 років тому +33

      Belarus borders were defined by history of Lithuania.. eastern border by Battle of Orsha.. Southern border by Union of Lublin.

    • @blitzm6423
      @blitzm6423 5 років тому +9

      I8pT What game are you talking about?

    • @jer_e4806
      @jer_e4806 5 років тому +3

      random always equals funny random always equals funny random always equals funny random always equals funny random always equals funny random always equals funny random always equals funny

    • @claymeistereu
      @claymeistereu 5 років тому +2

      Is that profile picture from Brain4breakfast? Either way, rest in peace.

    • @abyssstrider2547
      @abyssstrider2547 5 років тому +4

      @@blitzm6423 Probably one of Paradox games

  • @mir4924
    @mir4924 5 років тому +21

    2:30 rip Jugoslavia

  • @Neliporto
    @Neliporto 5 років тому +6

    2:29
    Absolutely love that Yugoslavia was on fire at this time. Superb small detail!

  • @MF-zj3zl
    @MF-zj3zl 2 роки тому +626

    Belarus 2019: We're our own people. We are an independent state and have nothing to do with Russia.
    Belarus Feb 2022: We are now a launching point for Russian troops into Ukraine.

    • @tptm
      @tptm 2 роки тому +78

      You substitute concepts. Your "Belarus 2019" are those who struggle against their president who represents your "Belarus Feb 2022".

    • @ian485
      @ian485 2 роки тому +60

      You are oversimplifying. The majority of Belarusians don't support the invasion of Ukraine. Think how that can happen, then. A hint: why can't I, living in Belarus, tell you the reason behind our government making a move the majority of population don't support?

    • @thepsychologist8159
      @thepsychologist8159 2 роки тому +3

      And here we are in 2022. Putin is completely OK with Belarus being an independent country, but not the Ukraine. Makes sense.

    • @ian485
      @ian485 2 роки тому +43

      @@thepsychologist8159 You have no idea what you are talking about. Read about the recent history of Belarus. August 2020. Then jump to conclusions.

    • @ian485
      @ian485 2 роки тому +34

      @@thepsychologist8159 To add. We have been deprived us of our independence by the same man before he attacked Ukraine.

  • @mrrandom1265
    @mrrandom1265 4 роки тому +115

    Belarus: *exists*
    History Matters: Why does Belarus exist?

    • @lightningfletch5598
      @lightningfletch5598 4 роки тому +5

      Vladimir Putin: I ask myself that same question every night.

    • @MJ-uk6lu
      @MJ-uk6lu 3 роки тому

      I find it weird how they aren't just part of Lithuania after being one for thousands of years.

    • @placeholder8768
      @placeholder8768 3 роки тому

      @@MJ-uk6lu Lithuania actually gave loads of privileges to Belarus back then, including making Old Belarusian the official language of law. It was a ‘live and let live’ situation. The only real effect they had was bringing Catholicism to Belarus, which remains in the Northwestern regions.

    • @MJ-uk6lu
      @MJ-uk6lu 3 роки тому

      @@placeholder8768 It seems that they had been in positive relationships ever since Baltic tribes era. Lithuania was a name of the unification of those tribes.
      My reasoning is simple, if they were became a centralized power and have seen that it's good for both of them, why on Earth after desovietization they became two countries? It makes no cultural sense.

    • @placeholder8768
      @placeholder8768 3 роки тому +1

      @@MJ-uk6lu Probably because we spoke two completely different languages. Belarusian and Lithuanian are quite different. However, there was actually a temporary union between us made in 1920 by the Bolsheviks called LitBel. It failed, though.

  • @TheRockyCrow
    @TheRockyCrow 5 років тому +76

    The 1863 uprising, also know as January Uprising, wasn't just the belarusian thing.
    It was multinational uprising aiming to restore the Polish-Lithuanian Commonwealth.

    • @alanpennie8013
      @alanpennie8013 5 років тому +2

      Thanks. I was wondering about that.

    • @arianas0714
      @arianas0714 5 років тому +11

      As a consequence, lithuanian language was banned, allongside the polish(?)

    • @arianas0714
      @arianas0714 5 років тому +1

      @Don't question my comment Ah yes, that too

  • @h.t.awesome3822
    @h.t.awesome3822 5 років тому +30

    Belarus: I’m only in the news cuz of annexation 😞
    Belgium: Am I a joke to you?

    • @h.t.awesome3822
      @h.t.awesome3822 5 років тому +4

      Google User that place is fucked up and more divided culturally than the Middle East 😂

    • @ok-ln8fs
      @ok-ln8fs 5 років тому

      @@h.t.awesome3822 i live in belgium and i am a little afraid that there will be a 'Balkan" like conflict in the nearby future

    • @h.t.awesome3822
      @h.t.awesome3822 5 років тому +1

      max govaerts more like a third German invasion

    • @ok-ln8fs
      @ok-ln8fs 5 років тому

      @@h.t.awesome3822 yeah haha very funny but memes aside im serious

    • @h.t.awesome3822
      @h.t.awesome3822 5 років тому +1

      max govaerts the U.N. And NATO won’t let that happen. If anything, Putin might just claim them as Russia’s property. Gotta claim tons of land when most of yours sucks real bad 🤓

  • @WheresTheSauce
    @WheresTheSauce 2 роки тому +25

    0:13 "independent" LOL

    • @FrostAwx
      @FrostAwx Рік тому

      More independent than any USA’s puppets

  • @stuartclifton4764
    @stuartclifton4764 5 років тому +23

    Love that Red vs Blue reference at the beginning!!

    • @samuan001
      @samuan001 4 роки тому

      But it has nothing to do with Red/White Army during Russian October Revolution 1917. Etimologists say that colours in the past determined directions / regions: apart from White and Red Rus', there was also a Black one.

  • @zeeblock22
    @zeeblock22 4 роки тому +28

    Next up: “history matters questions Belarus sovereignty”

  • @TacBans
    @TacBans 5 років тому +34

    1990s map: Serbia and Montenegro is on fire
    I chuckled

  • @fritzguldenpfennig2486
    @fritzguldenpfennig2486 2 роки тому +3

    Interesting time to be watching this video.

  • @drownedcactus5618
    @drownedcactus5618 5 років тому +7

    Love that RvB reference in the first minute!
    I guess it’s one of life’s greatest mystery.

    • @LAVAxRABBIT
      @LAVAxRABBIT 3 роки тому

      Thank you! You're like the only person to acknowledge it!!

  • @_MrMoney
    @_MrMoney 4 роки тому +38

    'Is Belarus a successor of the Grand Duchy of Lithuania?'
    Actual Lithuania: *Am I a joke to you?*

    • @ianyacuk6883
      @ianyacuk6883 4 роки тому +1

      'Was Belarus Another successor of the Grand Duchy of Lithuania?'*

    • @filsdepierre474
      @filsdepierre474 3 роки тому +1

      Full name of GDL also include Ruthenia, cuz this is successor of Ruthenia(aka Regnum Rusie, aka Principality of Galicia-Volhynia) which was successor of Kiev-Rus. So they could call themselves as a successors of GDLR, cuz old-ruthenian was a way more widely spoken in duchy it was official language, duchy used Ruthenian Pravda as a "constituion" or collection of rules. And also Belorussian national symbols reminds GDLR like a Pagonya.

    • @fod1991
      @fod1991 3 роки тому

      @@filsdepierre474 Its like saying Britain, France or Spain was THE Roman empire because there were more of them rather than Romans. Same goes to Belarus, they were part of the Grand Duchy but not THE Grand Duchy

    • @filsdepierre474
      @filsdepierre474 3 роки тому +1

      @@fod1991 They WERE grand duchy, in there with ukranians they were one nation and was the main. Current diarchy in GDL could affirm that duchy was divided on 2 parts

    • @fod1991
      @fod1991 3 роки тому

      @@filsdepierre474 They were PART of GDL, its kinda in the name as well. All ruling families were Lithuanian. Just because there were more Belorussians back then it does not mean they ruled GDL

  • @piebrostheman
    @piebrostheman 5 років тому +222

    Who else got the RED VS BLUE joke

    • @willek1335
      @willek1335 5 років тому +12

      Do you mind explaining... for a friend?

    • @arielgonzalez4730
      @arielgonzalez4730 5 років тому +10

      @@willek1335 0:04, its a current joke in the red vs blue series since first episode

    • @Kk-dy6bq
      @Kk-dy6bq 5 років тому +9

      ...Have you ever wonder WHY ARE WE HERE...

    • @chaosXP3RT
      @chaosXP3RT 5 років тому +3

      @@willek1335 First Episode of Red Vs Blue

    • @kinchapan9700
      @kinchapan9700 5 років тому +1

      Me

  • @Damian_1989
    @Damian_1989 2 роки тому +11

    Algorithm woke up with a sense of humor, i see.

  • @STikER326
    @STikER326 5 років тому +77

    Actually, the Polotsk principality is universally considered to be the first Belarusian state. Of course there was no such thing as Belarusian identity back then, but Polotsk was inhabited by the ancestors of modern Belarusians. Also, this principality was among the first ones who de-facto became independent from Kievan Rus', waging its own independent inner and foreign policy as early as in Vladimir the Great's time. Also, Grand Duchy of Lithuania is considered in Belarus to be at least partially Belarusian state. Of course the ruling class and dynasty were obviously Lithuanians, and there were a lot of Lithuanians living there, but no one can deny that Belarusians had a great influence in the Great Duchy. Well, before Poles took over, of course.
    Also, Belarusian People's Republic wasn't actually a puppet state, as it was never even recognized by Germany, and its government was formed independently from German control. Belarus back then didn't even have actual control over its territory because of Germany and, sadly, was recognised only by Ukrainian People's Republic (actually not, there were 20 countries who recognised Belarusian People's Republic, thanks to Raceris for pointing that out below).
    Just a small (or not so small) clarification ^-^

    • @raceris7309
      @raceris7309 5 років тому +11

      Belarussian People's Republic was recognized by all Baltic countries and Germany. There were 20 countries that recognized it. In fact, when the wars for independence in Central Europe were done, Belarussian government worked in exile in then independent Lithuania. Of course, the government had to move out due to disagreements with the Lithuanian president.

    • @STikER326
      @STikER326 5 років тому +5

      @@raceris7309 Oh, I didn't know that, sorry for the misinformation. For some reason I assumed it was recognised only by Ukraine, but it's good to hear that there were more. Sometimes it's really hard to consider everything that happened in Eastern Europe at the end and after WWI. Sorry again

    • @ГригорийГ-ч4н
      @ГригорийГ-ч4н 5 років тому +2

      @@raceris7309 and just how much this recognition mattered in chaos of civil war?

    • @raceris7309
      @raceris7309 5 років тому +5

      @@ГригорийГ-ч4н You can't become a sovereign nation without international recognition. And I don't think that Belarus was under the presence of civil war. Quite the opposite actually.

    • @drunkbuddy1222
      @drunkbuddy1222 5 років тому +7

      You are wrong about term of word 'Lithuanians'.At first citizens of The Grand Duchy of Lithuania were called not lithuanians but 'litvins' and it related to belarusians, while modern lithuanians were called 'jamoitais'.

  • @vKazak8165
    @vKazak8165 5 років тому +74

    "Belarus is not an offshoot of Russia" Thank you!!!❤😘❤

    • @hairharbor5080
      @hairharbor5080 Рік тому +1

      If you asked anyone in Belarus in 1910 what they called themselves none would have said Belorussian.

  • @lewatoaofair2522
    @lewatoaofair2522 5 років тому +141

    “Why are we here?” It’s one of life’s greatest mysteries.

    • @slyninja4444
      @slyninja4444 5 років тому +3

      Why I speak-say...
      Its a simple "matter" of the big bang quick-creating small atoms, which create-formed DNA, which became bacteria, which became all the species throughout the vast-multiverse.
      Go now brother-toa...

    • @jasonmartin4775
      @jasonmartin4775 4 роки тому +4

      Especially for Belarus.

    • @cyclone141
      @cyclone141 4 роки тому +20

      Seriously though, Why are we here? I mean, are we the product of some cosmic coincidence or, is there really a God... watching everything? You know, with a plan for us and stuff. I don't know man, but it keeps me up at night.

    • @nikeimizhongtomasch1880
      @nikeimizhongtomasch1880 4 роки тому +8

      Just to suffer? We were played like a damn fiddle

    • @agentohio1699
      @agentohio1699 4 роки тому +21

      @@cyclone141 What? I meant why are we out here, in this canyon?

  • @Jon-fd9lt
    @Jon-fd9lt Рік тому +5

    There is a great movie called Come and See about a Belarus child soldier during ww2. It does a great job at depicting the horror of the war in the eastern front.

    • @090giver090
      @090giver090 Рік тому

      It's more like about living under nazi occupation behind the front line rather than about the Eastern Fron of WW2 itself, but the movie is still great.

  • @ronaldweasly7020
    @ronaldweasly7020 3 роки тому +36

    Thank you for covering this topic. You're one of the few channels who looked on the issue objectively and barely said anything controversial considering our history. Mad respect!

    • @singami465
      @singami465 Рік тому

      "Barely said anything controversial considering our history" - damn, that would explain why the video is only 3 minutes long.

  • @InugamiTheHound
    @InugamiTheHound 5 років тому +13

    0:04 old school RvB reference

  • @sirflamehood7673
    @sirflamehood7673 5 років тому +43

    I thought it said: "Does Belarus exist?"
    And I'm like: "Good question"

  • @johnperish
    @johnperish 2 роки тому +11

    This is about to become very relevant...

  • @yyrr8823
    @yyrr8823 5 років тому +90

    History matter: Why does Belarus exist
    Putin: challenge accepted

    • @matheuspinheiro4796
      @matheuspinheiro4796 5 років тому +11

      Union State

    • @PANZERFAUST90
      @PANZERFAUST90 5 років тому +3

      At least you tried.

    • @BajanEnglishman51
      @BajanEnglishman51 5 років тому +3

      PANZERFAUST90 LMAOOO

    • @LuísJarles
      @LuísJarles 5 років тому

      @@matheuspinheiro4796 Same thing.

    • @MrStolboy
      @MrStolboy 5 років тому +1

      belarus should never be a country in the first place, it was decided before the collapse that belarus would remain in russian union, even the people voted for it, but yeltsin the moron ignored it and granted belarus territory.

  • @SupremeLeaderKimJong-un
    @SupremeLeaderKimJong-un 5 років тому +66

    Lukashenko wants to know your location

  • @themk4982
    @themk4982 5 років тому +10

    0:03
    I appreciate this reference deeply.

  • @amandahammond2691
    @amandahammond2691 Рік тому +2

    Loved the RvB reference

  • @centurion5210
    @centurion5210 5 років тому +60

    Q: How old is the comment section?
    A: Born after Yeltsin.

  • @demianbanakh2117
    @demianbanakh2117 3 роки тому +5

    "Rus" has nothing to do with "Russia". Instead, it refers to Kyivan Rus empire, which existed in the first part of the second millenium.

    • @eireball
      @eireball 2 роки тому +1

      Doesn’t Russia come from Rus?

  • @JukeboxTheGhoul
    @JukeboxTheGhoul 5 років тому +51

    This video: *exists*
    Belarus: wow. rude. I guess I'll leave then.

  • @Freelancer-kd4zr
    @Freelancer-kd4zr 6 місяців тому +2

    Love the red vs blue reference.