That's pretty insane how one war fought paved the way for civil wars on both sides afterward.

So glad you got this quote in: "For myself, I was bitterly opposed to the measure [for war], and to this day regard the war, which resulted, as one of the most unjust ever waged by a stronger against a weaker nation." ~Ulysses S. Grant

@TheIronMax

Жыл бұрын

USA has been the biggest villan I'm recent history, no other country has toppled so many democratic governments as the usians, mexico was just their first victim of American imperialism, and to this day they still carry a lot of the racist archetypes of mexicans to the American colective imagination.

@AR15andGOD

Жыл бұрын

yea ok grant

@stephenjenkins7971

11 ай бұрын

Anyone who studied a bit of history would know how full of garbage he was.

@danig-r550

10 ай бұрын

@@AR15andGODoffended by facts? Truth hurts sack up

@DaleRojoDecaf

5 ай бұрын

You could also apply the quote from Secretary of State John Hay during the Spanish-American conflict. "A splendid little war."

By giving West Point cadets a chance to use their book learning, the Mexican-American war gave those officers involved (Grant,yes, also Lee, whose performance on the road from Veracruz marked him as a rising star. ) experience. The early civil war was marked by battles lost by officers without this experience and battles won by officers who had already lived through the stresses of combat. Excellent show, how about a few more maps next time? Illustrate just what distances supply lines had to operate over.

@Odin029

2 жыл бұрын

Very well said. Just from experience, lots of people don't understand how big the US and Mexico really are.

@Patriot3791

2 жыл бұрын

Yes, I concur on using more maps.

@brandondavis7777

2 жыл бұрын

Might just be I'm a Virginian like Lee, but, if not for him allying with his home state, he'd be considered(and is, by historians who understand him) one of the greatest Officers in US history. Three brevets and the rank of Colonel by the end of the Mexican-American war, when he had only been in the Engineers Corp until then and been out of West Point for...18 years? or 16?

@tudyk21

2 жыл бұрын

Perhaps Lee learned victory against long odd fron Scott in that campaign.

@StoryTimeZE

2 жыл бұрын

@@tudyk21 that is a possibility, it could have also been from learning the tactics of the napoleonic wars too. Many times Napoleon was outnumbered and had to use unconventional tactics to win. Maybe a bit of both??

I'm glad you told the truth, cause most Americans don't know why this war was unjust

@kidfox3971

8 ай бұрын

It wasn't unjust, it was unfathomably based. Every major country in the world has fought wars to expand, we are absolutely allowed to do the same.

@hansolo9585

16 күн бұрын

@@kidfox3971Based? Based on what?

@dfdf-rj8jr

3 күн бұрын

@@hansolo9585 It was the right thing to do. Mexico tried taking back land that belonged to Texas and they got put in their place.

You already covered the Franco-Prussian war but I think another really good, lesser known, war that you could cover would be the Russo-Japanese War. Highly influential to the way the Japanese military would conduct itself in WWII and often gets glossed over as a mere footnote leading up to WWI.

@mecha7419

2 жыл бұрын

I wouldn't consider the RJW "lesser known"

@ActivateMysticMine

2 жыл бұрын

@@mecha7419 unfortunately I definitely would. When I was doing my practicum for secondary teaching in KY the state curriculum just completely glanced over the conflict. Resoundingly from students I’ve talked to in surrounding states that’s been their experience as well. History nuts might understand it’s greater historical implications but the general public I don’t think does.

@mitonaarea5856

2 жыл бұрын

The Russo Japanese war is defenitly as well know as the Franco Prussian war.

@joeymurdazalotmore6355

2 жыл бұрын

It was

@demonicinqusition

2 жыл бұрын

That'd be great, just so long as the voyage of the Russian 2nd Pacific Squadron is covered.

1:20 - Chapter 1 - South of the (disputed) border 4:40 - Chapter 2 - A game of dominions 8:15 - Chapter 3 - War games 11:50 - Chapter 4 - Opening salvos 15:55 - Chapter 5 - Take me to monterrey 19:40 - Chapter 6 - The american cortés 22:20 - Chapter 7 - Aftershocks

@metarus208

Жыл бұрын

thank you

@argenisjonathanrojasbedoll1365

8 ай бұрын

Gracias Soldado

"Strictly speaking, it wasn't true, but strictly speaking Congress didn't give a f*ck." US Congress in a nutshell.

@Praisethesunson

2 жыл бұрын

We'll believe anything if it means we can expand our imperial reach. -Murican

@dieterbarkhoff1328

2 жыл бұрын

Remember the statistic: the US has NOT been at war for 16 years of its inglorious history. Another interesting statistic: at the last count the second-biggest spenders on Armamnets is China, 330 Billion. NUmber one is the USA, 3 plus trillion.

@JFDA5458

2 жыл бұрын

LMAO, my favourite part of the video.

@freeminded7

Жыл бұрын

@@dieterbarkhoff1328 imagine thinking that stat means anything without context. Another youtube pseudo intellectual.

@dieterbarkhoff1328

Жыл бұрын

@@freeminded7 Oh, I peg your bardon: of course it isn't significant, after all, the USA is the Land of the Free!!!! ( Free to bomb the shit out of anyone its oligarchs likes. Of course being at war for every moment of your life except 16 is no sign of anything because, after all, ----I know, the US was constantly being ATTACKED. Wow, I'm afraid you are the INTELLECTUAL, not me, I am simply numerate and able to assess that 16 out of 268 is a piss. poor average. )

Actually super happy you mentioned St. Patrick's battalion. Fairly unknown and a pretty important part of history.

@wasonmalone1490

Жыл бұрын

Surprisingly enough, St. Patrick’s battalion is very much remembered in Mexico, it is even celebrated and commemorated on September 12 of every year.

@nuqwestr

Жыл бұрын

"Unknown"? There's even a Hollywood movie about it. "One Man's Hero" starring Tom Berringer.

@jakepistolero

Жыл бұрын

in mexico, he still pay homage to them. granted. not in the grand way they deserve. pretty low key, actually

@jimranallo686

Жыл бұрын

The Irish are honored here in Mexico for their bravery and courage...I lived for many years in a town called San Patricio....every St Patrick's Day there is 2 weeks of celebration

@jimranallo686

Жыл бұрын

I love history... I've been living in Mexico long time... and yes the Irish are honored here...they suffered like all brittish empire did and identify with Mexicans... Catholicism playing a part...i have a friend here in Mexico... he's a curator of a museum here... James Michener stayed at his home when writing his book "Mexico"....my friend is freckled and green eyed...sat me down and told stories how the Irish integrated...besides suffering horrible torture after chosing to switch sides... realizing the reality of the land grab plan of the US... other Irish slave/deck hands serving their brittish/ pirate masters...those who could swim...ended up on the shores and married...had kids...i just arrived to Melaque San Patricio...my old stomping grounds... cheers from Mexico

As a professional historian, I always refer to the Mexican American War as the "Cameo War". As in so many Civil War generals first appear in this war.

@theoutlook55

2 жыл бұрын

😄👏🏿

@elpanchosancho2314

2 жыл бұрын

But you'll never be like coked up simon

@jsanders9975

Жыл бұрын

True

@arturojimenez7087

Жыл бұрын

That is so very insightful oh, Sir, mister historian.

@danielempson

Жыл бұрын

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Please note that there is a US National Cemetery located in the center of Mexico City. It is "owned" by the US Department of State and administered by the American Battlefield Monuments Commission. It was given to the US as a place to inter the remains of about 750 US unknown soldiers from the Mexican War. Burials and interments of US citizens, primarily diplomatic and military personnel and families, until the early 1920's. This is a unique site and worth a visit.

@rickycoverrubias6176

3 күн бұрын

Ima go pee on it

You should do a video on the Batallón de San Patricio. The core was formed around US Army deserters, but they were more than that, and the reasons for their desertions shouldn't be swept under the rug. Plus their existence forced some changes in the US Army, including making sure soldiers were not denied the freedom to practice their particular religious beliefs. The US Army even denied their existence until a congressional investigation in 1915.

@frankfranko9023

7 ай бұрын

Now Mexicans R illegals in their own Land 😢😮😢

@hevad

5 ай бұрын

+1 on this

Hello! Thanks for the video. I'm a humanities professor, Mexican, and this is a great video. But personally, I would spend more time on the New Mexico and California campaigns. In both cases there were some Mexican victories, but they ended before the invasion of Veracruz and Central Mexico. By then the American objectives had already been achieved. Regards

@bass779

8 ай бұрын

What was the greatest Mexican victory?

@fernandovillelaaranda5403

8 ай бұрын

@@bass779 Hello. There are not so many of them. Traditionally the biggest Mexican victory is considered the Battle of Buena Vista. Both armies retreated the battlefield, but the American advance in the north part of Mexico stopped. Personally I believe the greatest mexican are: First Battle of Tabasco (250 mexican soldiers stopped the american navy's attempt to capture cities along the Tabasco coast with 7 ships and 700 landing force), First Battle of Mora New Mexico (mexican militia and native american retarded american control of New Mexico), and Battle of Mulegé (ina baja california, after mexico city was taken and mexican government has surrendered, Mexican militia stopped an american Attack in Baja california). Regards.

@shy404usernotfound

12 күн бұрын

​@@fernandovillelaaranda5403 Baja California.....in Mexico. Not to be confused with California, the US state.

This was a great breakdown of the setup, specifics and consequences of this war. Great Job 👍. Recommendation for next video would be Naval Battle of Guadalcanal.

Back when a president had to ask congress to start a war. Good times

@kristopherlewis6074

2 жыл бұрын

The president still has 2

@majob

Жыл бұрын

We technically haven declared war since WWII. Everything since then had been a "police action"

@USFCpresident

8 ай бұрын

@@majobyet, we’re fighting a proxy war against nuclear armed Russia😂

@chilibeer3912

3 күн бұрын

It’s easier to just call them conflicts now.

The Mexican-American War also led to the Comanche War which took decades to finish. The Comanches controlled more of Texas than the Mexicans or Spanish ever did. The Comanches were among the most skilled horse archers the world had ever seen.

@robertortiz-wilson1588

2 жыл бұрын

That was indeed a major challege

@anon3526

2 жыл бұрын

You were doing well until the “world has ever seen” part.

@tacocruiser4238

2 жыл бұрын

@@anon3526 i included the word "among". I didn't say they were "the" best. I stand by what i said 100%.

@tacocruiser4238

2 жыл бұрын

@K3ll Tv I mean the U.S.-Comanche wars. I know the Comanches were fighting the Apache, Spanish, and Mexicans before the Americans arrived. I should have been more specific.

@tacocruiser4238

2 жыл бұрын

@K3ll Tv the Comanches fought almost everyone they came into contact with. The only exceptions were the Kiowa and maybe a couple other minor tribes.

This war gained more territory but also had the effect of making the slavery issue more difficult for us to deal with and fast forwarding the arrival of the Civil War.

@itsapittie

2 жыл бұрын

With the industrial revolution changing everything from manufacturing to farming, if the conflict could have been staved off for another 20 years -- or perhaps even 10 -- perhaps the issue would have become moot. Or perhaps not. We'll never know but it's an interesting question.

@ericktellez7632

2 жыл бұрын

From what I’ve read, one side wanted to keep the “1 slave state, 1 free state” balance that the US had going on but the other side pointed out that all of those former Mexican states had abolished slavery years before the war and they thought changing them into slave states was unconstitutional since they already were non slave states, so the 1 for 1 balance was broken.

@itsapittie

2 жыл бұрын

@@ericktellez7632 I hadn't heard that but it sounds plausible.

@theprogram863

Жыл бұрын

By the Polk era, polarization over slavery had gotten bad enough that things were moving from a fierce debate to political hardball to each side trying to set up conditions so that when/if things turned violent, their side would have a military advantage. Andrew Jackson's controversial administration tore apart the Democratic Republican party: Jackson's faction controlled the Democratic Party and those who left the party out of opposition to the Jacksonians became the Whigs. The Democrats were larger but still deeply divided by infighting lingering from Jackson's presidency. Polk was a pro-slavery Democrat, a protege of Jackson and his ruthless expansionism. Polk went into his party convention as an also-ran aiming for the vice presidential nomination, but his party was so deadlocked that Polk emerged as the compromise (the term "dark horse candidate," still used today, originated with Polk). His Whig opponent was Henry Clay, a DC insider who was a very moderate abolitionist but also still a unrepentant slaveowner himself, a symptom of internal chaos within that party also, divisions which eventually lead to the Whigs falling apart altogether a few years later. In the next election, Polk honored his pledge not to run for re-election, and this time it was the Democrats who fell into chaos. After a three way fight between Henry Clay, Winfield Scott*, and Zachary Taylor*, Taylor won the nomination, then the general election, and then died suddenly. Those kinds of contradictions lead to the Whig party falling apart entirely a few years after Polk left office, while the southern democrats became increasingly obsessed with bailing out of the United States altogether via secession, which was already under discussion. Abolitionists, mostly whigs, then created the Republican party as a firmly anti-slavery party. The first republican candidate was Charles Fremont*, who lost, and then Abraham Lincoln, who won. Democrats considered the very election of Lincoln and his anti-slavery ideas so deplorable that they vowed to resist him by any means; Lincoln taking office was the immediate _casus belli_ for secession and he was plagued by putative "allies," fellow Republicans who were attempting to undermine him "to protect him from himself" and thereby making things worse. So I think the Mexican American War didn't lead to or even speed up the Civil War. Instead, I think that the Mexican American war was caused, at least in part, by attempts to defuse, distract from, or prepare for the civil war that people were starting to think was inevitable. *Mentioned in the video as having taken part in the war.

@elmochomo8218

Жыл бұрын

Yes the southern slave owners were pushing for an invasion of Mexico while northerners were against it

Thanks for a brilliant summation of this surprisingly little-known war. How about the French and Indian War next? Maybe with its tie-in with the Seven Years War.

@michaelsinger4638

2 жыл бұрын

Or the Spanish-American and Philippine-American Wars perhaps?

@techfixr2012

2 жыл бұрын

It is the same war.

@JohnDrummondPhoto

2 жыл бұрын

@@techfixr2012 that's part of the debate. The French and English colonies in North America waged war for two years before England formally declared war on France and expanded the war into Europe. In North America, the French and Indian War is commonly considered a separate conflict.

@larrelljones5542

2 жыл бұрын

Dude it's the same war. In fact the first true world war...ijs

@stacieorico5624

2 жыл бұрын

Bonjour = Hello, Good morning. Au revoir = Goodbye. Oui = Yes. Non = No. Merci = Thank you. Merci beaucoup = Thank you very much. Fille = Girl. Garçon = Boy.

Hey Simon & Co, Awesome vid as usual. Are you guys considering doing a video on the Paraguayan War (1864-1870)? One of the most bloodiest war in Latin American history.

@rowankorvaholm7449

2 жыл бұрын

Sincerely hope so! An isolated 🇵🇾 against 🇦🇷 🇧🇷 🇺🇾 is such a tale.

@FlamingBasketballClub

2 жыл бұрын

Never heard of the Paraguayan War. Tell me more.

@wildfire9280

Жыл бұрын

@@FlamingBasketballClub ​ spoiler alert: Most of the male population dies, a province gets named after Rutherford B. Hayes, and a lot of intermixing over decades

@righteousviking

2 ай бұрын

To be honest, I found the Jan and Dean song about the war a bit distasteful.

The US Marine Corps "Marine's Hymn" starts with "From the Halls of Montezuma" in recognition of the taking of the Castle of Chapultapec. Likewise the red "blood" stripes on the pants of the dress blue uniforms of NCO's and commissioned officers is in honor of the many marine NCO's and officers killed in the battle.

@HootOwl513

2 жыл бұрын

The Mexican battle flag taken from the ramparts of Chapultepec by US Marines hung in ceremony at HQMC from the 1840s til Harry S Truman ''returned'' the flag to a Mexican representative [possibly when Miguel Aleman-Valdes visited DC in 1947] .

@neutronpixie6106

2 жыл бұрын

Lol. Marines. Brainwashed retards. Hoowah!

@brandonhallam51

2 жыл бұрын

@@HootOwl513 any idea where it can be found and seen now?

@HootOwl513

2 жыл бұрын

@@brandonhallam51 No Sir. One might suppose it's in the possession of the Mexican State. Whether they retired it or put the flag on display at Chapultepec Castle or somewhere else in Ciudad de Mexico is anybody's guess.

@renderuntocaesarwhatiscaes2300

2 жыл бұрын

I watch this and I say Mexico doesn’t have a Border problem if California and Texas are apart of Mexico. That entire southern border brings in so much money. California literally has the gdp of Russia you gotta pause and think about that it’s absolutely mind blowing🤯 And to think all of that land was literally taken mafia style.. Sign the deal take the money or else cannons and soldiers will be sent. Nobody talks that very real factor.

The Mexican American War and the Spanish American War don't get enough attention. They really helped define the path the US would take on the world stage. A tv mini series about each, that tells the truth from each side would be good.

@FunnyLifeforms

Жыл бұрын

The Spanish American War is way too hyped. Spain was defeated by latin guerrillas in the early XIX century all over the continent. The only important thing about it is that it granted the US nice positions in the Pacific.

@ellaluna5514

8 ай бұрын

The Mexican American War defined American imperialism. The US hasn’t stopped since then.

@thirdcoast2995

7 ай бұрын

​@ellaluna5514 - assume your premise is true. This is colonialism, which is always and everywhere bad. The people who lived in what is today El Paso remained part of Mexico (or pick your own city). Given today's standards of living and productivity and government corruption/inability to control the country (drug cartels). If this war were never fought and Mexico retained control of these lands, who is better off?

@ellaluna5514

7 ай бұрын

@@thirdcoast2995 The drug cartels get their guns from the US with most of their customers in the US. Mexico has strong gun controls and now abortions are legal at the national level. Hmmm 🤔!

@cookiesup2music

7 ай бұрын

@@ellaluna5514this.

Simon is on fire! Into the Shadows, Decoding the Unknown and now Warographics, the new channels are a treat!

I spend 10 hours a day 5 days a week listening to biographies, war history, and history in general. I'm glad I found you.

"For myself," Grant wrote later about the United States war against Mexico, "I was bitterly opposed to the measure, and to this day regard the war, which resulted, as one of the most unjust ever waged by a stronger against a weaker nation."

@stephenjenkins7971

11 ай бұрын

Grant is hilarious considering that the entire world thought that Mexico was far stronger than the US at that time, since the US had a standing army of 5,000 men.

@moic9704

10 ай бұрын

​@@stephenjenkins7971That Is a myth, the british and the french knew México would not be able to resist an American invasion and advised México to use independent Texas as a Buffer against American expansionism.

@carlruth5692

2 күн бұрын

​@@stephenjenkins7971There were European nations that thought Mexico would come out on top, but most of the major Powers knew the US would defeat Mexico in a war. Even the papacy in Rome was opposed to the war.

I served in the U.S. Army's 3d Cavalry Regiment, which was stood up in 1846 as the Regiment of Mounted Riflemen. On 20 August 1847, after losing almost all their horses and fighting dismounted in hand-to-hand combat at the Battle of Contreras, General Winfield Scott came upon the bloodied and exhausted Regiment and gave them a short speech that has stayed with the Regiment ever since. General Scott removed his hat, bowed low, and said: "Brave Rifles! Veterans! You have been baptized in fire and blood and have come out steel!" The Regiment has been known as the Brave Rifles ever since and the Regimental motto became "Blood and Steel".

@SG-hd1qg

Жыл бұрын

Wow cool your unit goes back that far

@Brendand0n

3 ай бұрын

That’s cool. Blood and steel sounds like a third reich motto

Hey Simon (i have the same name as you :p), I love how you're doing more obscure wars on this channel. I'd absolutely LOOOVE a video on the cod wars or the Falklands war! Love the new channel, keep up the awesome contemt, you mad lad

12:41 My great great grandfather died in that battle. Major Samuel Ringgold. Aka "Father of modern artillery" Through his research at West Point it was one of his innovation to load lighter gun/cannons mounted on carriages and pulled by horses, called "Flying Artillery" it was a huge factor in winning the battle. An enemy cannonball however ripped through his legs & the horse beneath him & he died 3 days later.

@047Kenny

9 ай бұрын

What a way to go 😭

@marthagomez7335

6 ай бұрын

Those who live by the sword, die by the sword.

@donovanburkhard

2 ай бұрын

Napoleon had done so 50 years prior and the Swedes another 50 years before that.

@pravinsubramanian5427

2 ай бұрын

@@donovanburkhardto add to it, this technique was developed and perfected by the Central Asians in the 14th century. From the Seljuk Turks to the Mughals, cannon mounted on horseback or camel often won them astonishing victories.

@Nmax

Ай бұрын

That is so fascinating. I read about the flying artillery concept in a book about the civil war. The US army really pioneered a lot of great military tactics

Love this new channel! If you've the stomach for it (and I'd totally understand if not) a video on the R*pe of Nanjing, and how it tied into the 2nd Sino-Japanese war, the Second Work War and even the subsequent Chinese civil war would be worth a deep dive. But again, it is truly horrific so I'd understand shelving it or not even touching it.

Thanks for the history lesson today.. I really appreciate what your doing.

You should do the North-West Rebellion, when the Métis peoples of the Canadian plains rose up and fought pitched battles with government forces and the RCMP on the praries

@sandybarnes887

2 жыл бұрын

Plains

@nicholaspalmer892

2 жыл бұрын

@@sandybarnes887 Stupid autofill

@sandybarnes887

2 жыл бұрын

@@nicholaspalmer892 yeah, I hate predictive text and autofill too.

@rc59191

2 жыл бұрын

I'll have to check that out never heard of that before you know any good documentaries or shows on the subject?

@sandybarnes887

2 жыл бұрын

@@rc59191 check out Louis Riel

I'm American but honestly I feel bad for Mexico. They have so many extraordinary figures like Father Hidalgo and Madero/Villa/Zapata, all a match for many American heroes, but all elevated by tragedy, while many American founding fathers ended up dying in their beds surrounded by loved ones. Yet try as hard as they all did it seems like their history was a constant lurching of one disaster to another. They've honestly come out pretty alright though compared to a country like Venezuela

@leoperez6737

Жыл бұрын

I don't think you should feel bad for a war over a 100 years ago. Yes as a Mexican I get a little sad seeing all those territories that the country "lost", but in reality Mexico never had controll over them, most of those lands belonged to native people, that Mexican elite treated them like shit. Still, we need to know these events, to better understand how we can avoid another conflict. We need to study atrocities to know how to prevent them.

@jakepistolero

Жыл бұрын

venezuela and mexico have very different history. we are joined by the spanish empire. and we have a shared history and world viewe because of it. but thecourse of history is very different. my home town of veracruz has the official distinction of being hailed as 5 times heroic. becasue 5 times invasions have entered the country through it. twice by americans. it was also the place of the last stand of the last spaniards. even the empire had already left, and these ppl refued to acknowledge our independence

@SuperVladamere

Жыл бұрын

Mexico has a long and standing tradition of killing heroes. Outside looking in, it's impressive how chaotic yet functional the country is.

Awesome video! I've always wanted sharp details into this conflict.

Nicely done as usual, Simon. Keep em coming!

Winfield Scott was a southerner who stuck with the Union. His Anaconda Plan was brilliant, but only the smartest Union commanders believed in it, such as Grant. When Grant took Fort Donelson, Scott sent him a copy of his memoirs with a note, calling him the "greatest general". Once Grant was in charge of the army, he enacted Scott's plan to the letter.

Another great video by Simon and his team. Recommendation - the American Civil War naval battle between the Merrimack and the Monitor. The technology, the tactics, the location etc.

Well done! Thanks. I really like how you summed up the war.

By far, this is the most entertaining way to learn history. Thank you!!

Am loving this new channel. Very informative and interesting videos. Excellent job Simon and team!

@7521eric

Жыл бұрын

He totally left out the alamo!

The ,,San Patricios'' make an interesting subject. The whole subject of Irish immigrants in the US Military is a curious one. In the 1840s Irish immigrants were mocked and villified by the ''Native'' faction who were mainly WASPs. Even so the Army had recruiters at the NY docks eager to sign Irish men into the service, long before the Civil War. The Irish Brigades [mostly on the Union side] sagas in that War are well documented. What many Americans [Especially Irish/Americans] don't know much about is the 1866 Fenian invasion of Lower Canada by some of these same Union veterans, who retained their arms [or re-armed themselves]. It has been suggested that the Federal Gov't turned a blind eye to the build-up because of unnofficial resentment at perceived Pro-Confederate leanings by Canada, Great Britain and the Commonwealth during the War.

@luislaplume8261

2 жыл бұрын

As a New Yorker who grew up in NYC, you are right. There was a native born New Yorker named Bill the Butcher whose father was a veteran of the War of 1812. He fought in knife fights with Irish immigrants and Irish sailors and was the leader of the Nativists street gang Their wars with Irish and other ethnic groups lasted from 1846 til 1855 when he was killed in a knife fight in a bar by an Irishman who was a member of the British cavalry and was well trained in saber and knife fights . This was memorized by the movie Gangs of New York made by a famous movie director who was born also in NYC whose name I presently can't remember. The Mexican American War was also the first war to be photographed. Now I remember the name! Martin Scorsese!

@mickaleneduczech8373

2 жыл бұрын

We don't comprehend today how strong anti-Catholic feelings were for much of the nations history. Even with Irish and German immigrants making up the majority of the regular army, Catholics were denied promotions, punished more harshly than protestant soldiers, and often denied access to priests or religious services.

@HootOwl513

2 жыл бұрын

@@mickaleneduczech8373 The 1999 Tom Berenger film, "One Man's Hero'' illustrates this pretty well. Great flick.

@HootOwl513

2 жыл бұрын

@@luislaplume8261 Yes, I saw Scorsese's 2002 ''Gangs of New York.'' Daniel Day-Lewis did a fearsome job playing Bill the Butcher. Ironically, Day-Lewis is an Irish citizen, Scorsese is a native New Yorker, Cameron Diaz [Jenny] is Cuban/German-American and DiCaprio is 2 quarters German. America, the Melting Pot.

@nickandres7829

Жыл бұрын

Which is ironic, because despite being part of the Commonwealth, Canadian Courts had thrown out any laws or ordinances that would allow slavery by the beginning of the 18th century, and was ultimately the end destination for many routes of the Underground Railroad. Also when the Confederates reached out to us diplomatically, we told them to take a hike.

Great work! Thank you for your excellent reporting of a little know war.

Great video on the Mexican American war!, love the objective approach to the narrative!. It’d be nice if you did a video on the Peruvian Chilean war of the pacific, or so we call it as such down here in Peru. A war fought by a country to honor a secret defense deal with another, yet that “other” country (Bolivia) up bailing from the fight, pretty much leaving Peru fight a better equipped Chile. Greetings from Peru

Love the new channel! I'd be tickled pink if you could cover the war of 1812! If you're open to suggestions that is 😁 Thanks for the awesome content!

The st Patrick's batallion was comprised of Irishmen who deserted and fought with Mexico, the Americans were incredibly racist towards them that's why they decided to fight and die for Mexico. Very brave men

@a.chavez5808

2 жыл бұрын

The correct term would be xenophobia

@neiltappenden1008

2 жыл бұрын

Unyet after gettysburg the Irish brigade were heroes, North and South Irish fought each other at Fredericksburg.......just saying 🙄

@badluck5647

2 жыл бұрын

It wierd how you ignored how Catholicism fit into the event.

@archetypealch3my290

2 жыл бұрын

@@badluck5647 how is it weird ? O_o

@badluck5647

2 жыл бұрын

@@archetypealch3my290 It is a pretty big element, so it odd to not mention it. It like like talking about the American Civil War and not bringing up slavery.

Well done, Simon. Thank you.

One interesting point: while Mexico lost 50% of its territory, it lost less than 1% of its population

Simon and crew are killing it! I learned a lot about the war that I never knew.

Yes! Finally, thank you Simon for covering this war, as well as mentioning the Niños Heroes and the St. Patrick's Battalion. Not many Americans knew about this war for years, unlike Mexico which remembers the Intervencion Estadounidense or gran zarpazo only too well.

@kevinyoung947

2 жыл бұрын

Mexican American here definitely knew about this war and am so thankful America expanded freedom and empowerment to thousands of more miles and millions of more people

@royroland3884

2 жыл бұрын

@Kevin Young The war wasn't about expanding freedom and empowerment, it was about expanding the U.S. borders.

@kevinyoung947

2 жыл бұрын

@@royroland3884 no but two colonial powers fought and that was the end result.

@codyoxcutter

2 жыл бұрын

@@kevinyoung947 America? You mean United States? Also I doubt the United States expanded freedom and empowerment since slavery was still a thing.

@just_a_turtle_chad

2 жыл бұрын

@@kevinyoung947 "Freedom" Yeah let's just forget how America still had slavery

VERY well done, Simon and team!

very interesting, it's nice to finally have a clear summary of this war

@russellr6642

Жыл бұрын

this is extremely a extremely stupid comment. a "clear" summary hahaha

I know you've made videos on key figures of it, but I wonder if you'd just do a full video on the Mexican Revolution here?

My mom grew up on a ranch in what she terms "Old Mexico". Their ranch was just south of the Arkansas River and right across the road from Bent's Old Fort in SE Colorado. Strange and twisted history in that area, but the best cantaloupes on Earth.

I'm in brooklyn 40 years never new none that. That was among greatest content iv seen. Ty for taking the time.

@neanam

Ай бұрын

Crown heights?

Annexation= "We'll take it when we want to M-Fers"

Great video guys, I have a suggestion for videos, do a four-part series of the Anglo-Dutch Wars. Obviously not all at the same time but I think that would be cool

I really appreciate how this video really captures the essence of the conflict. It was one of the first instances of American exceptionalism picking on the little guy and calling itself king. Implementing shady anti-sentiment tactics that persist to this day. I would have liked to see other details about Mexico's struggles leading up to the war. Yes chaos, fragmentation, revolt, and desertion resulting from Santa Anna's centralist policies played a part, but this era is known by many Mexicans as the war on three fronts because of the war against the Americans, the war against itself, and the continued interventions of Spain and France. Spain continued to antagonize from it's stronghold in Cuba while France staged the first invasion with the pastry war while this conflict persisted. You don't want to take anything away from Scott's military genius. But it's not hard to march on a broken nation that is also fighting off other major European powers and insurrection at the time of these events. Since gaining independence mexico has been fighting unable to mend itself. First against the Spanish, then the French, then the Americans, then the French again, the Spanish again, and finally the revolution. It's nice to see someone shedding light on a nation that did not stop fighting despite the notion that we are weak and give up easily.

You are one of my FAVOURITE youtube historians - top three for sure (along with mark felton and Ian McCollum)

Incredible presentation. Gracias, From Mexico

Thanks for a great breakdown of a truly forgotten war. Just one thing, you kept calling The Mexican leader “Satarana” instead of Santa Anna or “Santana”. Just a small detail coming from a native Spanish speaker. Keep up the good work.

@XX2Media

2 жыл бұрын

He’s an Englishman; transitioning from an “a” to a consonant almost always includes the “r” transition. He’s not necessarily pronouncing it wrong, merely part of how his accent works. Look up “Received Pronunciation” and it’ll explain this unique phenomena in English accents. It’s quite fascinating.

@Michael-pd6bc

2 жыл бұрын

@@XX2Media not quite fascinating at all

Grew up 80/90s. Knew almost nothing of this war. Thanks for the video Simon.

@jakepistolero

Жыл бұрын

meanwhile, in mexico, it is still remembered, bitterly.

@thefutureisnowoldman7653

Жыл бұрын

@@jakepistolero no they don't

@jakepistolero

Жыл бұрын

@@thefutureisnowoldman7653 yes, it is. we are not hiung up on it, but it is still remembered

@thefutureisnowoldman7653

Жыл бұрын

@@jakepistolero Where in mexico are you from Becuase when they taught me the war they put all the Blame on Santana

@jakepistolero

Жыл бұрын

@@thefutureisnowoldman7653 his incomoetence and huvris were very important, yes. But, as russia has taught america, the agressor us always at fault Veracruz

U finally did it u mad lad! I’ve been waiting for this channel

Hahaha, this was in my recommended and my first thought was I bet this is another Simon channel… Thanks as always for the great content!

Great historical narrative of Mexican American war! I would have enjoyed a rolling map showing battle sites and change in territory of topography

"Manifested Destiny" is a nice way to call invasion and colonization

@Cabbage22927

2 жыл бұрын

If you are American, you benefit from all the colonization and invasions. Same if you are british.

New channel so excited. Love them all

Outstanding video sir. Thank you

I can't wait until the prequel: *The Texas Revolution*

@ericktellez7632

2 жыл бұрын

Spoiler alert: it was about slavery

@badluck5647

2 жыл бұрын

I feel like someone is reinventing Marxism where *every* moment of history is defined as racial struggle instead of class struggle. You are giving too much emphasis to slavery. Unlike the rest of the South, the settled part of Texas wasn't rich in land that was good for farming cotton, so slavery wasn't as vital to them. Most Texans were just farmers who were worried about the Mexican dictatorship much like the two other breakaway Mexican republics at the time.

@ericktellez7632

2 жыл бұрын

@@badluck5647 Did… did you just imply slavery wasn’t vital for the south’s economy. Propaganda is a hell of a drug.

There is a residential section on the North Side of Pittsburgh,Pa called The Mexican War Streets. It was laid out at the time of the Mexican American War and streets were named after some of the battles. ,like Resaca Place.

@nuqwestr

Жыл бұрын

Wow, that's inside history stuff, thanks. I'm in California, streets, town, cities, parks, are named after many from the war, but now being challenged and changed.

@flaviodrusovalerio2825

Жыл бұрын

@@nuqwestr why are they challenged?

To Simon and the whole team. Thank you.

Loving how this channel covers the full scope and reason of conflict more like the other graphics channels. Goddamn Simon. I love 😘 u.

Request for a video on the New Orleans Greys. William G Cooke (husband's ancestor) was the only senior officer to survive the war. Super interesting topic!

Thank you! I'll look more into this war

Nice to see that unlike your other videos, this is fairly unbiased.

I’m half Hispanic half Caucasian and live in this area. It is because of this war that I am alive today. War is obviously bad but the past is why we are all here.

Enjoy your program. I hope you will do one on the Texas Revolution of 1835-36 and Republic if Texas soon. You did a good job of describing briefly the rolls these played in the run-up to the Mexica-American War.

@nmxsanchez

2 жыл бұрын

I'm certain that's coming up

All your videos are awesome beyond awesome. Thank you.

Living this channel! Keep them coming.

Zachary Taylor was a truly interesting man. I hope you do a Biographics video on him someday. Also, recommendations: Teutoburg ✔ Winter War ✔ Paraguayan War ✔ War of Spanish Succession Naseby

To the video editor on this one.... 👍Good job!!! That thumbs up from Napoleon, almost made me spew coffee out of my nose 👃

Just another Simon channel, subbed!

No matter what I know about history I love learning more, you are a good teacher, thank you

San Patricios battalion with the Gaeilge Slogan Erin go Bragh 🇮🇪

@JamesDaffyBenderDonald

2 жыл бұрын

Viva the San Patricios! 🇨🇮🇲🇽🇨🇮🇲🇽

@stephenlavin7512

2 жыл бұрын

@@JamesDaffyBenderDonald Old Friends and Allies 🇮🇪🇲🇽

It takes a special kind of arrogance for a Brit to bang on the USA for empire building.

@jakepistolero

Жыл бұрын

any similarities wuth modern america doing the same today, are purely coincidental

@alejandrobalderrama7704

Жыл бұрын

Hey, Britain already liberated India and Africa, when are the US leaving Texas?

@SuperVladamere

Жыл бұрын

I did find that humorous. As if the British wouldn't of have taken San Francisco or Los Angeles the same way to took Hong Kong

Very interesting, thank you for the video.

Great video. so important to shed some light on this seemingly near forgotten chapter in history. As an American, I do believe it was so brushed over in history classes because you can’t hide the imperialistic motive. The revolution or the war to end slavery is so much more gratifying to discuss.

I highly recommend Cormac McCarthy's Blood Meridian which specifically addresses this period.

3:31 "Nueces" is pronounced "noo-Way-sess", for the record

@j.b.3825

2 жыл бұрын

Also: John Slidell’s name is pronounced SLY-dell

Nice job. Thanks! 😀

Glad y’all do this war. We learned very little about it in school.

This war reflects the Ukraine/Russian conflict the most.

@simonlaird6231

6 ай бұрын

Not really. The territory in the Mex-Am war was almost entirely empty. Ukraine is fully populated.

@willyperez2475

5 ай бұрын

Yea but most of east Ukraine including Crimea are more populated by Russians kinda how US Southerners were Filibusting Texas from Mexico so it can eventually be annexed by the U.S

Excellent video, as always. It's interesting to read Ulysses S. Grant's recount of his experiences in the Mexican-American War in his autobiography. As Simon indicated, he thought it an unjust and immoral war.

@KennethMachnica-vj3hf

5 ай бұрын

That's a good one.

Well documented commentary. Would like you to do a similar series on the British expansion of empire with the same vigor and cutting remarks.

I jiggle everytime you say Santa Rana, it literally means Holy shefrog😆. Love your videos man, keep up the good work!

Winfield Scott did an amazing job on that campaign. I consider that his finest hour.

@jakepistolero

Жыл бұрын

we cnsider that an a**hole. sorry

@dineisanttos7921

Жыл бұрын

Amazing work? murdering thousands of civilians? what good work is this? you're not crazy, are you?

Great video! I'm surprised you didn't link to the bio of James K. Polk or mention the They Might Be Giants song about him. Contrary to what this video says, Polk _did_ confront Britain over the Oregon Territory. He threatened war ("54-40 or Fight!") and managed to bluff the British into selling a big chunk of the territory to the USA. The video did a good job talking about why Polk was so eager for a war. There were concerns about other Great Powers using their colonial possessions as a beachhead from which to establish a rivalry on the continent with the United States. There was also a sense that they were establishing the map which would define foreign affairs in North America for centuries to come. A continent split among several strong countries would be prone to constant maneuvering and warfare that would only get more intense as settlement of the largely empty* country turned lines on a map into facts on the ground; in other words, the hated European balance of power system. A powerful America that controlled the whole continent, or at least most of it, would be like Great Britain writ large: protected by two oceans and with no major military rivals on its borders. A country capable of sitting out European and euro-style endless politicking/warfare and living in Splendid Isolation. In other words, the Mexican American war sits perfectly between the Monroe Doctrine of 1823 and the Wild West of 1865-1890. Concerns that Germany might help Mexico vs the USA helped provoke a pacifist United States into entering World War I. Enforcement of the Monroe Doctrine in the 1960s brought America to the brink of nuclear war, and remains a tenet of US foreign policy to this day. All to maintain a continental hegemony so strong that infighting would be all but impossible, and giving the United States most of the benefits of being a British-style island nation. Waiting to unify the continent later, once other European or euro-style nation-states had already settled it, would require wars of conquest, occupations, and Empire. As Simon pointed out, a war of naked aggression and conquest vs Mexico was already a challenge to America's idealism. A _future_ series of empire-building wars against established powers to dominate the continent by force would shake America's public morality even more. Finally, it was already clear that the material prosperity would be gargantuan... but still finite. America's sense of itself was also defined by its frontier, but it was already becoming clear that frontier was a limited resource that Americans seeking a new start would quickly fill. These moral considerations were very important to a young, idealistic democracy, especially since it was about to fight the single bloodiest war in its history (more casualties than even World War II) over a basic question of political morality. Contradictory, even hypocritical? Absolutely, but that's how ideological/religious/revolutionary movements operate. America still struggles with morality vs realpolitik (plus the fighting among the moralists about just which morals are the right ones). * Apologies to the native american nations, of course. To the expansionists, they didn't really count and were already being systematically wiped out.

Great video. I live in sunny Scottsdale Arizona, named after Winfield Scott.

So happy I found this channel. Not to be the echo chamber comment, but some more maps would make this sub-channel like a high quality, weekly, historical show.

Now I want a Biographic for General and President Zachary Taylor.

@robertortiz-wilson1588

2 жыл бұрын

He was solid all around.

Do you think you could do an episode on the Battle of Antietam/Sharpsburg? It is the single bloodiest day in American history with over 22,000 casualties. For comparison there were a bit over 10,000 combined Allied casualties at the Normandy landings. My family has multiple people that fought and died there with The Texas Brigade under Hood at Millers cornfield. It was some truly gruesome fighting with the Texas Brigade suffering over 60% casualties. When asked where his division was Hood simply replied dead on the field. Love the work you do Simon!

Good video

Good video 👍

This is legitimately the first time I've heard about this was as more than a footnote. The most I've heard before was the last bit about it causing unrest between the pro and anti slavery factions. But it clearly has so much more to offer in terms of importance. The United States has an ugly habit of hiding any past it doesn't like, and this is quite clearly an example of this as it brings up a perhaps painful idea, the US is a colonial empire. But it is exactly because it is a painful idea that it Should be brought up. We can't hide from the past, but we can learn from it.

@kevinyoung947

2 жыл бұрын

Two colonial nations went to war one set up by Spain the other by England… and thank god it expanded freedom and happiness to by todays times 10s of millions.

@Neptune0404

2 жыл бұрын

@@kevinyoung947 Whether or not the US has done more good or bad for the world is another discussion. What I'm talking about is that this war was an agressive occupation of a weaker nation. This was not about freedom, or happiness, this was about territorial expansion which directly goes against so many modern US ideals. Which is why it should not be hidden and forgotten, but should be taught and remembered.

@kevinyoung947

2 жыл бұрын

@@Neptune0404 it should be taught and remembered especially when it’s end result was so good and the controversy so little both nations are colonial powers on stolen land and Mexico wasn’t considered a weak nation compared to America at that time.

@joeymurdazalotmore6355

2 жыл бұрын

I'm born in the 70s n never learned this at all. It's washed from imperial quarters completely. They don't teach it or it's relevancy at all. Makes u slapped. U slap urself and another. Craven polticlal psychopaths are american politics always have been. The foot notes don't tell the long game. Actions r facts. Words r progangna. The moral high ground preached Into the echo chamber is listened to by no one and not surprised at all. The master tells the good guy sht but damn. When was it washed rinsed off n out the cariculem never to be there n the alt histoy began being reapeted rejected erased would be cool to know what they told people when they told people. No doubt the most craven thing will be the words the on pop quizes describing the event in history class school kids memorization is taught not critical thought regarding history class. Any class

@warcrimeenjoyer219

2 жыл бұрын

Bru how have u never head about this war did u actually listen in history class