Yes, but the Wilsonian model of foreign relations inspired us for decades after the fact even though the League of Nations and also the UN was and still is a joke. :p
***** However, we seemed not to learn our lesson from denying the Leauge of Nations because when the EXACT same thing happened in WW2 and--I think--the U.N was formed, another League of Nations, we joined and were sucked into world politics like the Ukraine/Russia/Crimea Crisis and MH-370
And top it all off, we didn't even sign our own treaty that we created! The Treaty of Versailles (sorry if I misspelled that) was put forth by Wilson contained some or all of his 14 points, then Wilson got a stroke, and Congress rejected it and signed a separate treaty with Germany. The Treaty of Versailles also plunged Germany into colossal debt which allowed Hitler to rise to power and start WW2 30 years later. Good job, America! (slow clap)
Benjamin Ballin I don't think there's anything wrong with assisting in the search for MH-370. It was an awful disaster and I think for a country of such power and wealth as the USA it's only right to assist. (at least I think that was the point you were making) along with the search for the Nigerian girls
Richard Hobson As for the search for the Nigerian girls, we should probably help out with that. Besides, we'd actually have a reason to help out because we'd be fighting the so-called "war on terrorism" and the group responsible, Bokko Haram (Literally meaning "Education is a sin"), is a terrorist group. As for the MH-370 thing, we should have gone in to help, but we shouldn't be spending billions of dollars looking for a plane instead of finding a way to pay off all of our debt. To answer your question about my point, it seemed like when I was taught U.S history, things worked out so much better for the U.S when it remained isolationist. I mean, by staying isolationist (By that I mean politically because if we were isolationist economically, that would suck. [That's why the Embargo Act of the early 1800s was such a flop]) we didn't get involved in anything going on in the world and we built up America really well. In fact, some people don't want us to be in world politics and solving every single little issue. If the U.N really is supposed to be the "peacekeeper for the world" then what are they doing about the Nigerian girls, or the Crimean Crisis, or the Syrian Civil War, or human trafficking, or the mass genocides still continuing today. Our involvement in the U.N wouldn't be so bad if we actually did stuff.
I noticed a Union Jack in the window of the building on the far side of the street, too. The parade is definitely in NYC. My guess is that the Union Flag is to show solidarity with the Brits. -stan
I have to admit, all of these videos are legitimately funny. Of course they are simultaneously informative and insightful, but the sprinkled in humor is what sets this series apart. You have a fan in me. Like the Toy Story song. Wait, what? Stan is informing me that it's "You've Got a FRIEND in Me." Thanks for watching, I'm Brock Hummel and this has been CrashComment.
You mention that many Americans supported the British in the early stages of the war. This is true, however you forgot to mention that many Americans supported the central powers too. There were quite a few German immigrants in the U.S. that supported their home country, and the Jewish community generally supported Austria-Hungary because it was a fairly tolerant country (especially compared to Russia and Serbia).
This was particularly interesting as I have studied WW1 through GCSEs and A levels in the UK's education system and it was interesting to see John addressing this towards those who learn it from the point of view of the American education system.
As a homeschooling family, we are delighted to find your channel. My daughter and I are working our way through this series (and I am learning or re-learning as much or more than she is -- gawd, did my North Carolina high school history class suck.) Love the humor, the clever graphics and the insightful perspective that knits the facts and personalities together. I get how American history flows now, in a way I never did in high school or college courses. Bravo!
I noticed that the image at 9:57 of the school children doing the pledge of allegiance, their hands are turned palms down over their heart instead of flat on their chest. I've never seen something like that before and did not know that there was an "original" way of doing the pledge. Very interesting!
One thing I remember clearly from GCSE (High School) history here in the UK was that the Treaty of Versails (please pardon the spelling) was largely one big factor in what lead to WWII. The American president at the time actually wanted Germany to be treated fairly, as did England's Prime Minister, but he was under pressure from France to punish the germans severely. So this is one moment in US history where the leaders of America were actually the most reasonable! P.S; Forgive me if these names are vague. It's been at least a decade since I first read what I learned in High School.
You're not far off. The Treaty of Versailles made provisions for reparations which caused every cent the Germans made between WW I and WW II to be exported to other countries to pay them back for the damage the Germans caused. The only way to keep up with these reparation payments was to print more money, which caused massive inflation and reduced the German people to such desperation that they would end up putting Hitler in power purely for his charisma.
Canon Whitecandle I remember seeing illustrations of germans pushing wheelbarrows full of cash, barely enough to buy a loaf of bread! It was pretty damn ridiculous.
France was pretty bent on those reparations and taking back Alsace-Lorraine from Germany because of the Franco-Prussian war. The German State of Prussia defeated France pretty quickly and badly during the war which was also the third and final war of German unification and forced them to pay five billion franks and to give up the German speaking Alsace-Lorraine to the new German Empire. Prussia's quick victory played a part in shaping the alliances in Europe with Britain becoming considerably more wary of German power.
You guys are great. My AP US History teacher shows your videos in class occasionally. I'm highly relying on these videos for my test tomorrow, aha. They're pretty great.
My school has actually started using these, and Sci Show's episodes in classrooms to help both single gender and co-ed classes understand what went on during these time periods. I have the greatest respect for the Green parents for having children that are actually smart enough to not only learn about the world, but share the information in an easy and fun way. Thanks you. You two helped me pass my mid-terms
When your apush teacher refuses to teach in class, so u have to watch these videos in class and try to learn off of john greens fast speaking to pass a video quiz.....
Annie Claire I recommend you watch Jocz productions' APUSH Crash Course Review videos He's really good at teaching specific things that are taught in AP
Watch APUSH review videos with Adam Norris. Watch both the Key Concept videos and the Unit Review videos. That should help you quite a bit. Adam Norris also suggests other helpful videos.
John Green you're a great writer and you just helped me so much in AP US history like I cannot thank you enough. Bless you're majestic and beautiful soul; stay golden.
one sad thing about this time period was that almost anything German was shunned. this, in particular, led to a widespread stigma against dachshunds, which resulted in countless cases of abuse against the wiener dog. even today, many people still maintain that anti-weeny sentiment. come on guys! dachshunds are awesome!
cmon people. Please stop being bitter or angry about the past. If this doesn't apply to you then let me apologize. But after every video some people have to argue that America didn't do anything special in the wars but yet walk around like they saved the world. Or that the Allies would have won the war without the US. The majority of Americans do not think we were saviors and nowhere in the videos does Crash Course say things similar to this. And claiming the Allies would have won without the US is for one impossible to know because it changed so many aspects of the war once we joined. More importantly it's a pointless argument. The fact is we did join and the war ended how it ended. More constructive or thought provoking discussions would be so much better than mean arguments over which country has the bigger d**k
yeah the allies had the central powers on the ropes one had surrendered taken a humiliating peace deal losing a lot of territory and germany was on their way to paris before the US joined they sure had germany's number. wilson should have stayed out of it the germans were losing anyways right
jadon morris I know you are right it's actually the Triple Entente but I didn't feel it was necessary to write Triple Entente. en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Allies_of_World_War_I
Koala Bear ummm im sorry but in what way did the triple entente have the central powers on the rope before the U.S. entered the war. Germany crushed Russia in the east, pushed France and Britan all the way back to the Marne River, and began using there U-boats combined with unrestricted submarine warfare to starve out both Britan and France which failed thanks to the overwhelming production of U.S. merchant ships that "KEPT THEM EATING". Germany was fighting a war on two fronts and their forces was split between Russia and France but Russia dropped out of the fight. So just take a second to imagine what they could do with their full force along with Austria Hungary as back up focused on a fight they were winning in the west.........the fight would have been over soon. Also even the fact that Italy switched sides the result was still the same Germany and Austria Hungary steam boating threw the triple entente. When America entered the TIDE TURNED.The wave of "doe boys"(American soldiers) were just to fresh and to strong for the tired central powers to take. Not saying we won the war but come on man we did play a role......
you should do episodes fully about war/battle details there's too many that do but get the facts wrong or twist them. you're one of the few people (on youtube) i could take seriously.
TheMourot But France didn't surrender in WWI so what the fuck are you on about? XD Also if you think a country where it is illegal to sing while wearing a hat (I know it's only in one place but come on) is free, you're an idiot!
Anyone else get a kick out of the whole America's isolationism led by Woodrow Wilson...and the pop up of Cast Away's Wilson? 1:17 This whole series is too awesome!
WW1 is imposible to understand from an american perspective (this is US history after all) To undedstand WW1 youd probably have to go back all the way to Otto Von Bismark amd the foundation of the german empire
Hello Crash Course! I just wanted to say thank you. I'm taking AP US history and I use this to review everything the morning after I study for my tests, it helps so much!
Love these. I also love at the beginning where you have the eagle swoop across the screen sounding just like a hawk, because as we all know, eagles really can only make little chirping sounds...
