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You know, his story is actually kind of sad. He was a decent man, sensible, loyal to his country and tried his best to do the right thing. You can see his quality in how he tried to reconcile the Ireland debacle, and his frustrations with how it turned out. Also the fact that his wife, whom he actually married for love, died of illness while he was off on campaign is a tragedy. I genuinely feel for him.
Agreed! What he did in India is appalling, but seems like in the American Revolution he was just dealt a bad hand. I think he did try to do the right thing in Ireland--it was a very progressive thing to do in that era to try to get different religions to cooperate towards a common goal--it was only the dishonesty of those above him that caused it to fail. It had to suck achieving success just to have the rug pulled out from under him by his own king.
@Jake Stout unless you don’t count journals from people of the time period there absolutely is. Mainly Baptist and Presbyterian churches in the Deep South colonies
@Jake Stout yes, yes there is. St Phillips church in Brunswick North Carolina. They also burned the whole town of Russelburough shortly thereafter. Do some research before spouting off
@Jake Stout you can’t cite a source for that, because it’s not true. Colenel Rawdon of the British army burned every Presbyterian and Baptist Church he encountered in the Carolinas and Georgia because they “ Are workshops of seditions” Barnastre Tarleton burned several himself, as did Patrick Ferguson. Eventually even 7 Anglican churches were burned in the south
I've always wondered about Cornwallis, in America we heard his name many times in history class but never really knew much about him. Thank you for posting this video!
@@michaelterrell5061 Must have changed some stuff. Also i only know wellington cause of waterloo (and steak), churchill cause of churchill, clinton cause of clinton, and haig sound familiar.
I had a history professor in college who once characterize the stamp act as “imagine if you had to pay a fee every time you wanted to use Wi-Fi on your phone anywhere for any reason.” I’ll never forget the horrified silence that settled over the classroom, and this one guy a few seats behind me even muttered “I would murder someone.”
This type of thing happening nowadays is not unfathomable. For instance, Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg has suggested that, as more electric vehicles replace gasoline vehicles, the way to supplement the decrease in gas tax funds is to tax people for the amount of miles driven in their vehicles. Government overreach will continue to escalate until the people decide to put an end to it. What the American revolutionaries decided to do is one option.
@@metfan099 , how do you think roads get built and maintained? Taxes. I'm not a Buttigieg fan, but taxing those who use the resource makes sense. What would you suggest?
Most people did not really get affected by the Stamp Act. A lot of the stuff that was taxed by it wasn't something the average colonist would use. Those who were worst-affected, the press, kicked enough of a fuss about it to make it into a problem.
@@mbryson2899 stop giving our tax money to foreign countries and wasting it on trillion-dollar money-laundering schemes disguised as covid relief would be a good start
I used to live a few miles away from Brandywine Battlefield, part of which is preserved as a Pennsylvania state park with a visitor center museum and often reenactment battles.
I have a new respect for Cornwallis. Despite his "failures," he was humane. I believe I will have the honor of meeting him in Heaven. Lisa Rae Rousseau 🤗💯
My paternal family is from Yorktown. The papers of capitulation were drawn up in my 22nd or 23rd ggrandfather's house, the 'Moore House', now on the Yorktown Tour. I know, big deal...At least you know my last name now.
Yeah, seems like in another life he could’ve been an early reformist politician. There’s something melancholic about a decent but mediocre life like his.
to be fair to the guy England was fighting to other wars as well as the sideshow in America so couldn't focus purely on America plus the logistics involved in supplying the forces in America.
The Royal Navy ship HSM Cornwallis was named in honour of Charles Cornwallis. This ship was instrumental in the defeat of China in the First Opium War, and it was aboard the HMS Cornwallis that representatives from the British and Qing Empires negotiated and signed the Treaty of Nanking, which is considered the start of China's century of humiliation.
Eh it wasn't really a century of humiliation. They still had arguably the greatest economy in the world and within a few years turned a country in the middle ages(probably before that honestly) into an industrial and military powerhouse especially after they beat Japan.
The Irony of him being against those acts that led to unrest in the colonies that would eventually erupted into the US war for independence. One has to wonder if he recalled that as Yorktown devolved into defeat and surrender.
From what I've read, there were also at least a sizable handful of parliament members who opposed the no representation taxation. They must have been yelling "You **** IDIOTS!" at PM Lord North and his staff by the time Yorktown rolled around. A completely avoidable war that devastated Britain's empire and lost the American colonies forever (and sour relations for DECADES afterward).
@@thunderbird1921 It didn't devastate the empire but the war was incredibly unpopular with the British public and even Parliament. It dragged out for so long because of George III. The war could have probably been won for Britain but it would have been costly for Britain and to not much gain. The 13 colonies were relatively worthless in relation to the West Indian colonies and their protection and governance were somewhat expensive. The British actually gained economically after the war because they could continue trading with America without having to sustain it.
For someone so mediocre, Cornwallis lived a fairly extraordinary life, even as a supporting actor to greater events. Can't really blame a guy for losing a war where he was outnumbered 20 to 1.
It's because he wasn't mediocre. Even in his most ardent critics paint as a great logistics officer and military engineer. Yorktown also might never fallen if he had received the reinforcements which he requested well multiple times and held out for before finally surrendering.
When Cornwallis requisitioned my family’s cattle and barns for his troops before the Battle of Guilford Courthouse, my x6 great grandmother met with him and demanded the cattle back. Apparently Cornwallis acquiesced, and resupplied my family despite having a son in the patriot militia. Shows he wasn’t necessarily a bad man.
I've come across this video, because through genealogy I found out today that he is an ancestor of mine on my paternal grandmother's side of the family. Our side of this family is from Virginia which I find interesting.
Honestly, I feel really bad for Conwallis. He seems like a really decent man, who loved his wife, country, and soldiers who fought under him. He did his duty as he thought necessary, and as Simon said, probably would have been great at a lesser role if he hasn't been promoted beyond his abilities. I know he fought against my ancestors in the Revolutionary War, but I still feel sorry for the man.
And some of those generals/admirals are still able to rise high. Grant and Sherman were good examples of this, both started their careers well and by the time the American Civil War began they had fallen by the wayside only to become the two best union generals by the late part of the war (hell, it could be argued that Sherman taking Atlanta and Savanna is what actually secured the union victory)
@@jakealter5504 that’s because American military promotions are largely merit based. Back in those days Britain’s military promotions were largely based on who your family was.
Vast underestimation was a factor. Britain was the greatest military power on the planet; the Rebels were mostly a bunch of untested exiles and hicks with muskets. Basically no one thought we'd win.
@@gordonlumbert9861 and George. The Prime Minister promised Representation in Parliament for the majority *but* the King refused even to discuss it because of his Coronation oath. PM resigned and only when Wellington as PM (who was Irish-born and appreciated the soldiery from Ireland he had) did Catholics gain legal right to have MPs - around the same year as Jewish members of Parliament were permitted
It is worth noting the second commander of England's forces in America, Sir William Howe, actually *asked* to be relieved of command, what he described as, "This very painful service". And that's a man who assailed, personally, the deadly American volleys on Breed's Hill, ALONGSIDE his regular infantry--THREE times. The British had no shortage of brave soldiers or Generals.
Thanks for a different perspective on Lord Cornwallis than I was taught in school. Our public school textbooks cram great events into a few brief paragraphs, omitting in depth examination of the people who played the pivotal roles.
Sounds to me like he was loyal to a fault; entered into unwinnable battles and actually had some success, had a genuine love for his wife, continued on fighting through grief, and his only downfall was kicking Simon's great great great grandfather's dog.
Lord Cornwallis as he's popularly called in India is also known as the father of Indian civil service. Came to India on 12th sept. 1786 as the Governor-general of Bengal. In 1793 introduced Cornwallis code, a body of legislation introducing governing, policing, judicial and civil administrative provisions.
We here in India talk about Cornwallis too, about the Anglo-Mysore war. When I heard he was the same Cornwallis who lost at Yorktown I was really surprised. By the way, his successor was Governor General Wellesley, whose brother was the famous guy who beat Napoleon at Waterloo. I believe that Sir Arthur Wellesley also fought in the final Anglo-Mysore war, and learned much there about rocketry. Quite a matchless career, the Duke of Wellington had
just to clear up, the stamp act wasn't considered ridiculous because it was an undue burden, it was considered ridiculous because they saw it as an obvious circumvention of law regarding taxation. taxation of colonies had been debated before and it was considered illegal because of the representation requirement under the british constitution. the legality aside the stamp act was not unreasonably costly, in fact its main economic effect (and real purpose) was to curb smuggling in deep water ports. by keeping track of paper the government could keep track of who was writing falsified receipts on imports. a couple of dollars was all it took to convince a harbor worker to report a much lower tonnage and thus lower import duties. by issuing stamps 9n certain paper products the dock workers were forced to keep themselves account to british authorities. the point was to improve collection of legal duties and improve revenue, (the stamp cost was very small), and since the local elite were almost all profiting from smuggling and acting as a mafioso of sorts, they generated a lot of unrest locally for these new measures. they burned families of british officials alive in their homes, rioted, tortured people, and destroyed vast amounts of property in a campaign of disruption and intimidation to fight enforcement, and it worked. it led to a larger debate about the spirit of the law and was eventually co-opted by revolutionaries, radicals, and secessionists, culminating in the american revolution. you'd be amazed how many founding fathers had made their fortune in the "import export" business. like with things today, it wasn't a clear cut and simple, one idea vs another, conflict. it was a convoluted mess of conflicting ideas and motivations on both sides that eventually led to the outcome with which we are familiar, but pretending that it wasn't also a sordid affair on the part of the americans, or not a wholly greedy and malicious affair for the part of the british, is at best historical revisionism.
Simon...I have to say...now that you have so many channels i love how personal you have been. The sense of humor you add is unmatched. Easily the best way to earn some historical context. I consider myself to know something about history in general and you always shock me with some random fact. Nicely done sir!!
You should do John “Black Jack” Pershing Most great American generals from WWII served and were mentored by General “Black Jack” Pershing during WWI. These include Patton, Eisenhower, McArthur, George C. Marshall, and Omar Bradley For that reason, he’s extremely under rated in American history in my opinion. Not to mention he charges up San Juan Hill next to Teddy Roosevelt, and commanded the expedition sought out Pancho Villa Before any of that he also taught at an African American school and when he was 4 years old his home was raided by Confederate in 1864 looking for his Father because he flew the Union Flag over his general store in Missouri He lived and amazing and forgotten life that would be the worded set up for a biographics video
Historically it was Banastre Tarlington or "Bloody Ban" as he was known for his actions. This Narrator leaves out a lot of information pertaining to what and why events transpired the way they did.
Don’t know why they changed his name from Banastre Tarleton to William Tavington...takes away some of the fear by giving that portrayal a generic name rather than sticking to his actual name.
@@mitchellneu Well considering the ridiculous war crimes Tavington committed in that stupid film it's a good thing they changed his name. Tarleton was known to be ruthless but he never locked people in churches and burned them alive. I'm an American and I thought that movie was embarrassing the way it painted the Brits as barbarians.
Very informative. Now I know why Cornwallis had the habit of walking off cliffs, but not falling until he noticed that there was no ground under his feet. And why he primarily communicated with others by holding up pre-written signs.
Outstanding yet again. Thank you sir, as a Yank I've always felt his role in our revolution was not as conventionality depicted - no doubt the surrender could well have been avoided by a effective political Cornwallis in a leadership House role - not to be
I grew up in Eastern Virginia in the area of Yorktown. I have been to "Cornwallis' Cave" carved into the side of the York River where he set up one of his final command centers/hiding spots. I have also seen an archaeological dig in the York River where they are uncovering a ship that his forces sunk to create artificial reefs to prevent the French ships from entering the river.
@@BobJohnson648 I grew up in Gloucester. I had heard that the guineamen's unique accent originated with folks with a cockney accent. It is possible that they could have been British troops that stayed though I don't know for sure if that actually happened.
@@25xxfrostxx I have heard that Cornwallis had some Hessian troops...based on that I'd expect a German accent but the Guinea people I have encountered definitely seem to have more of a cockney way of speaking
Aníbal Milhais, aka Soldier Millions, most decorated Portuguese soldier of World War I. Single-handedly held back a German assault with his Lewis gun allowing his whole company to retreat... Twice.
This channel is amazing, I have so many interests in history, and the lives of those who went through it all but never really liked reading books or do research and having a video that puts it all into one 20-30 minute video is amazing. Thank you!
Be careful, this guy cherry picks his points while not telling you the whole story. I've studied Military History for decades and could do the same if I wanted too.
Whatever you say or think about him as a person or of his failures, he packed an awful lot of noteworthy things into his life. I'm irish and didn't know he was double crossed by his own king. Like many leaders in history he wasn't in his position on merit, he happened to have the right parents and be of noble blood to be given the job at hand.
There's just something about listening to someone with a British accent talk about the American Revolution that makes me tingly inside. 🇺🇸 Love your work!
Wow. Very open and truthful view of Irish history at the end. This is a perfect time to request as an Irishman a video of Theobald Wolfe Tone. The leader of the United Irishmen and key figure in the disaster that was the 1798 Rebellion. In Irish Schools we are thought of 3 key events in the 1700s, the American Revolution and the establishment of Democracy, the French Revolution and the Republic, and the attempt to bring these values to Ireland. The attempt to live in a free society, where people are born equal, protected by Liberty, Equality and Fraternity, like our French and American nabours. Lets just say jts Ironic that said rebellion and Democratic aspiration led to the Act of Union of 1801.
Charles Cornwallis might be viewed as a mediocre military man in over his head now but he had one thing lacking in people of his class even the King...empathy. Being a respectful, fair officer to his soldiers; realizing the King was in error in his demands and treatment of Americans and the thirteen colonies; not massacring tens of thousands in India; treating the Irish Catholics fairly deserving to have participation in their government, and being a loving kind husband shows he was a good man. I will take a good empathetic man over a cold, ruthless, intelligent one every time. Really interesting video.
Hey Simon, you absolutely need to do a video on Terry Fox. In 1980, in his early 20's he ran the equivalent of a marathon a day as he set out to cross Canada to raise awareness and money for cancer research. He did this with only one leg since his other leg had been amputated. His "Marathon of Hope" had to be abandoned half way through as his cancer got worse, taking his life shortly after. His legacy has lived on with a yearly run in his honor and has gone on to raise millions (likely billions) for cancer research.
VERY interesting! Growing up in the US, I have heard Cornwallis’ name many times, but never really knew who he was. This was very interesting. And, I feel sorry for the guy.
Amazing how a single moment in time hangs in the balance of one mans decision. What outcomes could there be if only Cornwallis had just a bit more insight. The what if game is indeed wonderful to think about.
Go read about the actual events, How is insight going to help when the French Navy has blockaded your only escape route to the Atlantic?. This Narrator just ignores many historical facts.
Just shows how Hollywood messes with history - the movie ‘The Patriot’ Cornwallis was played by the great Tom Wilkinson and it makes him out to be a military genius.
The house chosen by Cornwallis to serve as his Headquarters in Yorktown belonged to Thomas Nelson Jr.; Signer of the Declaration of Independence, Governor of Virginia, and Commander of the Virginia Militia. During the Battle when Nelson demanded to know why Cornwallis' Headquarters was not being fired upon by the Cannon; he was informed they dared not as it was his (Nelson's) home. He replied simply "Give me the cannon", and opened fire on his own house.
The Shallowford which is in my Brothers backyard was a big reason of what happened at Guilford Court house. The Patriots crossed the Shallowford which is the only point to cross the Yadkin River for miles flooded out after they crossed stranding the British and giving the Patriots time to prepare for the Battle of Guilford Court house
as far as the tipur peace part, ive heard in one of your videos im sure, that if both sides are unhappy about the treaty, then its probably fair...or something smart like that
the irony, GW wanted to attack Clinton in New York, but the French persuaded him to move into Virginia, with assurances that the French fleet would block the James River and not allow Cornwallis to evacuate via the sea or allow Clinton to reinforce Cornwallis again, via the sea. So, we will never know if GW had his way and attack Clinton in New York, would Clinton have been able to deal a defeat to GW. Why wouldn't Cornwallis not be confident that Clinton would have been able to send reinforcements or be able to evacuate Yorktown; the Royal Navy was pretty bad ass in the late 1700's going back to King Henry VIII.
Cornwallis before the American Revolution: _He was a _*_mediocre_*_ man._ Cornwallis after the American Revolution: _He was quite a _*_mediocre_*_ and _*_incompetent_*_ man._ Cornwallis after the East Indies: _He was an utterly _*_mediocre, incompetent_*_ and _*_racist_*_ man._ Cornwallis after the Irishmen Rebellion: _He was such a _*_mediocre, incompetent, racist_*_ and just plain awful men, that he deserves his own _*_biography._*
Tbf to Cornwallis, he was severely understaffed, a thousand miles away from Britain, with a parliament focused on Napoleon (basically our first world war-like effort), with politicians who didn't care about keeping America. Also, there was a tremendous philosophical sympathy from the highest politicians/public in the UK as Americans were seen as British subjects expanding Britain. How can you not agree with their want for representation? Also the majority of Americans did not want to leave the British Empire, and the ones that did, did not care about the tiny tax. They cared a lot more about being banned from expanding West
"What could possibly go wrong?" *things go wrong* Maybe another famous British soldier for a Biographics, Sir Robert Baden Powell (the founder of the Scouting Movement) Amazing job as always Biographics
You know in a way I admire him. Unlike most other leaders he decided to spare the lives of his men, instead of slamming wave after wave into the continental army until he lost.
Yhea for someone of his birth at that time he seems to be a rare exception that actually thought anyone without a title was worth the same as someone with one. Most of the over privileged idiots back then and put in that position would have happily watched people die in the name of their honor. Your death or my glory and all that.
I loved the anecdote at the end. We so often tell our children you can do anything if you follow your dreams. Well, that’s good advice to motivate you, but it’s not necessarily true. I especially like to see thought provoking consideration that had written being a meritocracy at this time, despite his dreams, his performance and skills would have been what saw him being passed up for a more superior commander. Meritocracy is the way.
I've been lucky enough to have visited Yorktown,,its a wonderfully interesting national park. A great place to visit if ur a history buff. Alot of history happened in Virginia.
LMAOOOOO, the music choice while comparing Cornwallis to Wile E. Coyote was outstanding‼️😭😅😭 Truly perfect if you ask me 😅 Very fitting considering their cartoonish game of cat and mouse 😅😭😅😭😅💯 What a way to be remembered
Could you pleeeease do an video about the second and last emperor of Brazil, Pedro II? He was the greatest brazilian ruler and patriot and you never did an video about an brazilian guy
"a kick in the nuts or the rectal insertion of a cactus" 😂😂😂 I'm definitely stealing that. The dig at the current UK government was unnecessary tho. Save it for the "Brexit" history video in a few years. I come here for info on the past. Not for commentary on the present.
Fun fact : the white flag in the surrender of lord cornwallis painting is actually the white banner of the french royal navy. they win the Battle of the Chesapeake, As a result of this victory, they blocked any reinforcement or escape by sea for Cornwallis and also disembarked the heavy siege guns required by the allied land forces.
1:25 - Chapter 1 - For king & country 5:15 - Chapter 2 - Revolution rock 8:55 - Mid roll ads 10:20 - Chapter 3 - The road to yorktown 14:00 - Chapter 4 - From Yorktown to the top 17:00 - Chapter 5 - Passage to india 20:25 - Chapter 6 - The failed union - Chapter 7 - PS: Considering how the colonies have turned out, he might have the last laugh !!!
American history has said so little about him. Basically the most said is that he surrendered at Yorktown. It was good to learn that he was more than that. He had more opportunities to serve his nation and he tried his best under difficult circumstances.
Well when you write your superior over half a dozen times telling him you need reinforcements or you're gonna be defeated over the course of several months and he never sends assistance until it's far, far too late, I'd say there's not much that you can do.
13 colonies: Revolts and declares independence Cornwallis: bloody hell Connacht: Revolts and declares a republic Cornwallis: Oi mayte, got a loisense for that declaration? *burns Connacht to the ground
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The first 100 people to go to www.blinkist.com/biographics will get unlimited access for one week to try it out. You’ll also get 25% off if you want the full membership.
each of your video teach me more than my whole history class
Helen Keller?
Do a video about Spanish civil war, or at least of German involvent in it. Condor Legion is interesting, or explain long period of fashism in Spain.
Ireland never joined a union with England. English people in Ireland voted for it because Irish people where not allowed to vote
Are you the new minister for american propoganda?
You know, his story is actually kind of sad. He was a decent man, sensible, loyal to his country and tried his best to do the right thing. You can see his quality in how he tried to reconcile the Ireland debacle, and his frustrations with how it turned out. Also the fact that his wife, whom he actually married for love, died of illness while he was off on campaign is a tragedy. I genuinely feel for him.
He was a bit of a dick to the Carolinians, he burned a lot of Baptist and presbyteries churches
Agreed! What he did in India is appalling, but seems like in the American Revolution he was just dealt a bad hand. I think he did try to do the right thing in Ireland--it was a very progressive thing to do in that era to try to get different religions to cooperate towards a common goal--it was only the dishonesty of those above him that caused it to fail. It had to suck achieving success just to have the rug pulled out from under him by his own king.
@Jake Stout unless you don’t count journals from people of the time period there absolutely is. Mainly Baptist and Presbyterian churches in the Deep South colonies
@Jake Stout yes, yes there is. St Phillips church in Brunswick North Carolina. They also burned the whole town of Russelburough shortly thereafter.
Do some research before spouting off
@Jake Stout you can’t cite a source for that, because it’s not true.
Colenel Rawdon of the British army burned every Presbyterian and Baptist Church he encountered in the Carolinas and Georgia because they “ Are workshops of seditions”
Barnastre Tarleton burned several himself, as did Patrick Ferguson. Eventually even 7 Anglican churches were burned in the south
I've always wondered about Cornwallis, in America we heard his name many times in history class but never really knew much about him. Thank you for posting this video!
Yes, he's probably the one British General most Americans schoolchildren can name (Sorry, Marlborough and Wellington).
@@eurodoc6343 I can name wellington, John Churchill, Henry Clinton, Sir Douglas Haig etc and I'm in the 8th grade.
@@michaelterrell5061 Must have changed some stuff. Also i only know wellington cause of waterloo (and steak), churchill cause of churchill, clinton cause of clinton, and haig sound familiar.
@@eurodoc6343 Sorry General Cigarette and General Steak!
@@Samm815 What must have changed?
I had a history professor in college who once characterize the stamp act as “imagine if you had to pay a fee every time you wanted to use Wi-Fi on your phone anywhere for any reason.” I’ll never forget the horrified silence that settled over the classroom, and this one guy a few seats behind me even muttered “I would murder someone.”
That will come
This type of thing happening nowadays is not unfathomable. For instance, Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg has suggested that, as more electric vehicles replace gasoline vehicles, the way to supplement the decrease in gas tax funds is to tax people for the amount of miles driven in their vehicles. Government overreach will continue to escalate until the people decide to put an end to it. What the American revolutionaries decided to do is one option.
@@metfan099 , how do you think roads get built and maintained? Taxes.
I'm not a Buttigieg fan, but taxing those who use the resource makes sense.
What would you suggest?
Most people did not really get affected by the Stamp Act. A lot of the stuff that was taxed by it wasn't something the average colonist would use. Those who were worst-affected, the press, kicked enough of a fuss about it to make it into a problem.
@@mbryson2899 stop giving our tax money to foreign countries and wasting it on trillion-dollar money-laundering schemes disguised as covid relief would be a good start
He lost because I’m awesome, duh! 🤩 😎
You have been waiting for this huh? 😂
Lol
@@YodaSmokes he's been waiting for something like this for 4 years lol
@@YodaSmokes Technically I have been waiting 263 years.. but who’s counting? 😉
@@marquisdelafayette1929 You're a real bro, Marquis, really appreciate what you did for my country. Can I call you Marq? Is that too much?
Léo Major, French-Canadian soldier who almost single-handedly liberated the Dutch city of Zwolle in WWII.
YES!
A true canadian hero!
I’ve hear about that. I’d like to know more about that guy. Anyone that kills nazis is always interesting
That’s a fair summary of him “being average and not being above average “
So much more than average.
Cornwallis lived a few miles away from where I live. His house is gone now but the gate house of his estate is still there and is now a pub.
I used to live a few miles away from Brandywine Battlefield, part of which is preserved as a Pennsylvania state park with a visitor center museum and often reenactment battles.
I have a new respect for Cornwallis. Despite his "failures," he was humane. I believe I will have the honor of meeting him in Heaven. Lisa Rae Rousseau 🤗💯
My paternal family is from Yorktown. The papers of capitulation were drawn up in my 22nd or 23rd ggrandfather's house, the 'Moore House', now on the Yorktown Tour. I know, big deal...At least you know my last name now.
Gates of mediocrity
Honestly he sounds like the right man at the wrong time. Decent guy just put into positions he really didn’t care for or want but was told to anyways.
That's what I got out of this too. It seems he tried to do what he believed and it was stacked against him and ordered to do the opposite.
Yeah, seems like in another life he could’ve been an early reformist politician. There’s something melancholic about a decent but mediocre life like his.
I benifit from his incompetence haha wrong man in the right place at the right time
Military officers can't pick their wars.
@@richardlahan7068 exactly what I’m saying. They just do as they’re told.
Cornwallis: the man who lost America, then took his revenge in India
And then got kicked in the nuts in Ireland.
@@JonManProductions did he? I haven't heard about that.
Man he really was average haha
to be fair to the guy England was fighting to other wars as well as the sideshow in America so couldn't focus purely on America plus the logistics involved in supplying the forces in America.
Lord Cornwallis,isn't that him?
The Royal Navy ship HSM Cornwallis was named in honour of Charles Cornwallis. This ship was instrumental in the defeat of China in the First Opium War, and it was aboard the HMS Cornwallis that representatives from the British and Qing Empires negotiated and signed the Treaty of Nanking, which is considered the start of China's century of humiliation.
Good thing he wasn't commanding that ship ; )
Should send the ship back to Hong Kong and humiliate the Chinese Communist Party.
@@ShannonCarter55 lol
Eh it wasn't really a century of humiliation. They still had arguably the greatest economy in the world and within a few years turned a country in the middle ages(probably before that honestly) into an industrial and military powerhouse especially after they beat Japan.
@@michaelterrell5061 brutal as the Japanese were on the Chinese (and rather sickening), the CCP still take the cake.
The Irony of him being against those acts that led to unrest in the colonies that would eventually erupted into the US war for independence. One has to wonder if he recalled that as Yorktown devolved into defeat and surrender.
He was probably staring at the battlefield with glass eyes like "goddamnit"
@@CatnamedMittens Lol too true. The fact that he never left his tent until the very end means he probably had a breakdown or something.
@@manuelacosta9463 yeah
From what I've read, there were also at least a sizable handful of parliament members who opposed the no representation taxation. They must have been yelling "You **** IDIOTS!" at PM Lord North and his staff by the time Yorktown rolled around. A completely avoidable war that devastated Britain's empire and lost the American colonies forever (and sour relations for DECADES afterward).
@@thunderbird1921 It didn't devastate the empire but the war was incredibly unpopular with the British public and even Parliament. It dragged out for so long because of George III. The war could have probably been won for Britain but it would have been costly for Britain and to not much gain. The 13 colonies were relatively worthless in relation to the West Indian colonies and their protection and governance were somewhat expensive. The British actually gained economically after the war because they could continue trading with America without having to sustain it.
"failing upwards", is my favourite phrase in the entire video.
“A rectally inserted cactus”
@@farticlesofconflatulation 👍👍👍🤣🤣🤣
Now I have this image of Cornwallis chasing Washington, with Yakety sax playing.
😂😂😂
For someone so mediocre, Cornwallis lived a fairly extraordinary life, even as a supporting actor to greater events.
Can't really blame a guy for losing a war where he was outnumbered 20 to 1.
It's because he wasn't mediocre. Even in his most ardent critics paint as a great logistics officer and military engineer. Yorktown also might never fallen if he had received the reinforcements which he requested well multiple times and held out for before finally surrendering.
No try 2 to 1 in numbers.
When Cornwallis requisitioned my family’s cattle and barns for his troops before the Battle of Guilford Courthouse, my x6 great grandmother met with him and demanded the cattle back. Apparently Cornwallis acquiesced, and resupplied my family despite having a son in the patriot militia. Shows he wasn’t necessarily a bad man.
Pretty cool if true.
Yeah, hard to know if it's true or not, but that's a really fun story
I've come across this video, because through genealogy I found out today that he is an ancestor of mine on my paternal grandmother's side of the family. Our side of this family is from Virginia which I find interesting.
Honestly, I feel really bad for Conwallis. He seems like a really decent man, who loved his wife, country, and soldiers who fought under him. He did his duty as he thought necessary, and as Simon said, probably would have been great at a lesser role if he hasn't been promoted beyond his abilities. I know he fought against my ancestors in the Revolutionary War, but I still feel sorry for the man.
I don't haha he got served
Yeah you are that kind of person who would also feel bad for confederate and Nazis.
Sometimes I wish lobotomy was legal for those two idiots above me.
@@Abhishek-sr2pu you can feel bad for someone without agreeing with their actions.
I love when little bits of Business Blaze pokes through in Simon's more serious channels
That's the tale of a lot of the Generals and Admirals, Born to Wealthy families with connections
Like most modern-day lawyers and doctors.
And some of those generals/admirals are still able to rise high. Grant and Sherman were good examples of this, both started their careers well and by the time the American Civil War began they had fallen by the wayside only to become the two best union generals by the late part of the war (hell, it could be argued that Sherman taking Atlanta and Savanna is what actually secured the union victory)
@@jakealter5504 that’s because American military promotions are largely merit based. Back in those days Britain’s military promotions were largely based on who your family was.
@@nomdeplume5446 true though in the cases of Grant and Sherman they had connections as well as merit
Too much to lose, no heart no fight smh
Didn’t set lookouts at Trenton. Why they needed a General to tell them that goes against all military logic.
Vast underestimation was a factor. Britain was the greatest military power on the planet; the Rebels were mostly a bunch of untested exiles and hicks with muskets. Basically no one thought we'd win.
"A kick in the nuts or a rectally inserted cactus"
I'll get back to video when I stop laughing....
Little bit of the blaze came out there lmao
"And which Pitt would this be? Pitt the Toddler? Pitt the Embryo? Pitt the Glint in the Milkman's Eye?"
It'd be Pitt the Pitiful... 🤔
Brad Pitt
Black Adder have nice jokes.
“Mostly Decentl, But Useless”
That’s going to be in my grave stone
Honestly I wouldn’t describe him as “mediocre.” He seemed to be pretty competent and well-intentioned to me.
yeah i find this overly negative, seems like a fairly good bloke given time and circumstances
Mediocre is more about his actions and results than his intentions.
Totally agree, I couldn’t help but think he was a good guy just trying to make it work
Unfortunately most of his challenge s need him to be Great. For Ireland sounds like the politicians screwed him.
@@gordonlumbert9861 and George. The Prime Minister promised Representation in Parliament for the majority *but* the King refused even to discuss it because of his Coronation oath. PM resigned and only when Wellington as PM (who was Irish-born and appreciated the soldiery from Ireland he had) did Catholics gain legal right to have MPs - around the same year as Jewish members of Parliament were permitted
Peter Drucker’s "Peter Principle" where everyone gets promoted to their level of incompetence.
It is worth noting the second commander of England's forces in America, Sir William Howe, actually *asked* to be relieved of command, what he described as, "This very painful service". And that's a man who assailed, personally, the deadly American volleys on Breed's Hill, ALONGSIDE his regular infantry--THREE times. The British had no shortage of brave soldiers or Generals.
Thanks for a different perspective on Lord Cornwallis than I was taught in school. Our public school textbooks cram great events into a few brief paragraphs, omitting in depth examination of the people who played the pivotal roles.
Calling someone "useless" is about as serious an insult as I give.
Calling someone useless seems spiritually vaccous...like kissengers" useless eaters remark...but I still like Simon
@@BobJohnson648 Simon doesn't write, he just reads
Maybe he should read it before he tapes
It's because it's usually inaccurate. And almost slanderous here.
Yep, labeling someone as useless is questionable
*Sees title*
My brain: "General Cornwallis, or as his friends called him 'J-Corn'"
I prefer, “Corn-dawg and Aunt Jemima”
I am so glad I'm not the only one who thought this 😂
A subject suggestion: who are the people depicted in notable currencies around the world and why were they chosen. Cheers!
This is a fantastic idea.
Wonderful idea
Sounds to me like he was loyal to a fault; entered into unwinnable battles and actually had some success, had a genuine love for his wife, continued on fighting through grief, and his only downfall was kicking Simon's great great great grandfather's dog.
“A man who dares to waste one hour of life has not discovered the value of life”
Charles Cornwallis
Was he talking about skipping school?
Isn't that spoken by darwin
@@rahultiwari-dx8qo Nope
@@rahultiwari-dx8qo yes
That great! you should do one on Black George of Serbia, the Balkan's mad lad
I live in Serbia. Do you mean Karadjordje?
@@tanjahorvatserbiaoldslavsh4685 same person
Karađorđe and Miloš Obrenović.
Also Skanderbeg too.
@King Dark I live in Serbia. My last name is Croatian. Don't want to hear about psychopathic nationalists.
The man we have to thank for the founding of America
Yeah, sorry about that 🤷🏼♂️😁
@@MisterAndrewBuckley damn u cant say that
i agree tho
America is a Continent you clown, your the ununited states.
@@thfccfht we'll be united again once we dump Commiefornia and all the left wing maniacs into the ocean.
@@rc59191 the last time you fought commies you got humiliated in Vietnam.
Lord Cornwallis as he's popularly called in India is also known as the father of Indian civil service. Came to India on 12th sept. 1786 as the Governor-general of Bengal.
In 1793 introduced Cornwallis code, a body of legislation introducing governing, policing, judicial and civil administrative provisions.
We here in India talk about Cornwallis too, about the Anglo-Mysore war. When I heard he was the same Cornwallis who lost at Yorktown I was really surprised. By the way, his successor was Governor General Wellesley, whose brother was the famous guy who beat Napoleon at Waterloo. I believe that Sir Arthur Wellesley also fought in the final Anglo-Mysore war, and learned much there about rocketry. Quite a matchless career, the Duke of Wellington had
I kinda want to see a Hamilton style musical from the British side now.
just to clear up, the stamp act wasn't considered ridiculous because it was an undue burden, it was considered ridiculous because they saw it as an obvious circumvention of law regarding taxation. taxation of colonies had been debated before and it was considered illegal because of the representation requirement under the british constitution. the legality aside the stamp act was not unreasonably costly, in fact its main economic effect (and real purpose) was to curb smuggling in deep water ports. by keeping track of paper the government could keep track of who was writing falsified receipts on imports. a couple of dollars was all it took to convince a harbor worker to report a much lower tonnage and thus lower import duties. by issuing stamps 9n certain paper products the dock workers were forced to keep themselves account to british authorities. the point was to improve collection of legal duties and improve revenue, (the stamp cost was very small), and since the local elite were almost all profiting from smuggling and acting as a mafioso of sorts, they generated a lot of unrest locally for these new measures. they burned families of british officials alive in their homes, rioted, tortured people, and destroyed vast amounts of property in a campaign of disruption and intimidation to fight enforcement, and it worked. it led to a larger debate about the spirit of the law and was eventually co-opted by revolutionaries, radicals, and secessionists, culminating in the american revolution. you'd be amazed how many founding fathers had made their fortune in the "import export" business. like with things today, it wasn't a clear cut and simple, one idea vs another, conflict. it was a convoluted mess of conflicting ideas and motivations on both sides that eventually led to the outcome with which we are familiar, but pretending that it wasn't also a sordid affair on the part of the americans, or not a wholly greedy and malicious affair for the part of the british, is at best historical revisionism.
Simon...I have to say...now that you have so many channels i love how personal you have been. The sense of humor you add is unmatched. Easily the best way to earn some historical context. I consider myself to know something about history in general and you always shock me with some random fact. Nicely done sir!!
Cornwallis was a loyal soldier who spent most of his career fighting for things he didn't believe in.
You should do John “Black Jack” Pershing
Most great American generals from WWII served and were mentored by General “Black Jack” Pershing during WWI. These include Patton, Eisenhower, McArthur, George C. Marshall, and Omar Bradley
For that reason, he’s extremely under rated in American history in my opinion. Not to mention he charges up San Juan Hill next to Teddy Roosevelt, and commanded the expedition sought out Pancho Villa
Before any of that he also taught at an African American school and when he was 4 years old his home was raided by Confederate in 1864 looking for his Father because he flew the Union Flag over his general store in Missouri
He lived and amazing and forgotten life that would be the worded set up for a biographics video
Tavington... damn him! Damn that man!
Historically it was Banastre Tarlington or "Bloody Ban" as he was known for his actions. This Narrator leaves out a lot of information pertaining to what and why events transpired the way they did.
Don’t know why they changed his name from Banastre Tarleton to William Tavington...takes away some of the fear by giving that portrayal a generic name rather than sticking to his actual name.
@@mitchellneu Well considering the ridiculous war crimes Tavington committed in that stupid film it's a good thing they changed his name. Tarleton was known to be ruthless but he never locked people in churches and burned them alive. I'm an American and I thought that movie was embarrassing the way it painted the Brits as barbarians.
@@RCAvhstape yeah I’m American too, and I don’t remember reading of the Brits doing anything to that ridiculous extreme.
@@RCAvhstape I’m a Canadian with a history degree and I think The Patriot is a fine film. A rip-roaring good time.
Very informative. Now I know why Cornwallis had the habit of walking off cliffs, but not falling until he noticed that there was no ground under his feet. And why he primarily communicated with others by holding up pre-written signs.
Outstanding yet again. Thank you sir, as a Yank I've always felt his role in our revolution was not as conventionality depicted - no doubt the surrender could well have been avoided by a effective political Cornwallis in a leadership House role - not to be
I grew up in Eastern Virginia in the area of Yorktown. I have been to "Cornwallis' Cave" carved into the side of the York River where he set up one of his final command centers/hiding spots. I have also seen an archaeological dig in the York River where they are uncovering a ship that his forces sunk to create artificial reefs to prevent the French ships from entering the river.
I used to live in Gloucester county. Always wondered if some of Cornwallis' troops were the ancestors of the guinea men over there.
@@BobJohnson648 I grew up in Gloucester. I had heard that the guineamen's unique accent originated with folks with a cockney accent. It is possible that they could have been British troops that stayed though I don't know for sure if that actually happened.
@@25xxfrostxx I have heard that Cornwallis had some Hessian troops...based on that I'd expect a German accent but the Guinea people I have encountered definitely seem to have more of a cockney way of speaking
Aníbal Milhais, aka Soldier Millions, most decorated Portuguese soldier of World War I. Single-handedly held back a German assault with his Lewis gun allowing his whole company to retreat... Twice.
Very informative summary of the life and career of Cornwallis.
This channel is amazing, I have so many interests in history, and the lives of those who went through it all but never really liked reading books or do research and having a video that puts it all into one 20-30 minute video is amazing. Thank you!
Read
That's pretty much the reason why infotainment is so popular on TH-cam.^^
Be careful, this guy cherry picks his points while not telling you the whole story. I've studied Military History for decades and could do the same if I wanted too.
Whatever you say or think about him as a person or of his failures, he packed an awful lot of noteworthy things into his life. I'm irish and didn't know he was double crossed by his own king. Like many leaders in history he wasn't in his position on merit, he happened to have the right parents and be of noble blood to be given the job at hand.
I love this channel so much. I just love learning - education is elevation ❤️
"but Canadians, fortunately, don't have to have Boris Jonson"! What a lucky lot they are! 🤣😂
Yeeesss...We are lucky. Trudeau is the best. Idiots.
@@chrissuave92 Trudeau embarrassed Canada in India. They still laugh at it.
@@ShannonCarter55 Trudeau is an embarrassment. Regardless of the country!
@@chrissuave92 still can't be worse than BJ though )))
@@washubrain I can see how you would think that. If you are not Canadian and are an idiot! Have a nice day. Eh.
There's just something about listening to someone with a British accent talk about the American Revolution that makes me tingly inside. 🇺🇸
Love your work!
Cornwallis: Send help plz!
Clinton: Eh! I'll ignore that!
Wow. Very open and truthful view of Irish history at the end. This is a perfect time to request as an Irishman a video of Theobald Wolfe Tone. The leader of the United Irishmen and key figure in the disaster that was the 1798 Rebellion. In Irish Schools we are thought of 3 key events in the 1700s, the American Revolution and the establishment of Democracy, the French Revolution and the Republic, and the attempt to bring these values to Ireland. The attempt to live in a free society, where people are born equal, protected by Liberty, Equality and Fraternity, like our French and American nabours. Lets just say jts Ironic that said rebellion and Democratic aspiration led to the Act of Union of 1801.
Charles Cornwallis might be viewed as a mediocre military man in over his head now but he had one thing lacking in people of his class even the King...empathy. Being a respectful, fair officer to his soldiers; realizing the King was in error in his demands and treatment of Americans and the thirteen colonies; not massacring tens of thousands in India; treating the Irish Catholics fairly deserving to have participation in their government, and being a loving kind husband shows he was a good man. I will take a good empathetic man over a cold, ruthless, intelligent one every time. Really interesting video.
SUGGESTION: Admiral Yi, The Greatest Medevial Naval Commander
Hey Simon, you absolutely need to do a video on Terry Fox. In 1980, in his early 20's he ran the equivalent of a marathon a day as he set out to cross Canada to raise awareness and money for cancer research. He did this with only one leg since his other leg had been amputated. His "Marathon of Hope" had to be abandoned half way through as his cancer got worse, taking his life shortly after. His legacy has lived on with a yearly run in his honor and has gone on to raise millions (likely billions) for cancer research.
Cornwallis: I deserve to be executed, your excellency. Pitt: don’t be so hard on yourself. How about a promotion in India?
VERY interesting! Growing up in the US, I have heard Cornwallis’ name many times, but never really knew who he was. This was very interesting. And, I feel sorry for the guy.
“Useless”? That’s unfair and untrue.
He was about as useful as a empire without it's colony
Amazing how a single moment in time hangs in the balance of one mans decision. What outcomes could there be if only Cornwallis had just a bit more insight. The what if game is indeed wonderful to think about.
Go read about the actual events, How is insight going to help when the French Navy has blockaded your only escape route to the Atlantic?. This Narrator just ignores many historical facts.
Well done. Tons of info and a great perspective.
Just shows how Hollywood messes with history - the movie ‘The Patriot’ Cornwallis was played by the great Tom Wilkinson and it makes him out to be a military genius.
Simon, love your videos, behind the scenes crew, you guys are amazing as well. So well researched and still you make it fun to listen to.
Biographics can you guys do one Santa Ana:Mexico's Most Infamous Dictator
Santa Ana really was the Napoleon of the West.
@@badluck5647 true
Would like to see a biography on either Ishikawa Goemon or Benkei the Giant Samurai or Admiral Yi!!!!
The house chosen by Cornwallis to serve as his Headquarters in Yorktown belonged to Thomas Nelson Jr.; Signer of the Declaration of Independence, Governor of Virginia, and Commander of the Virginia Militia. During the Battle when Nelson demanded to know why Cornwallis' Headquarters was not being fired upon by the Cannon; he was informed they dared not as it was his (Nelson's) home. He replied simply "Give me the cannon", and opened fire on his own house.
Why can I feel him, a mediocre dragged around to do things that requires expertise beyond himself
Cornwallis: DUDE....!!!!
Washington: SWEET....!!!!
Why have we not got a Bernard Montgomery Bio yet but you did Patton years ago? Im calling shenanigans.
Because Patton is better
@@OdinsVikingr signed by America
The Shallowford which is in my Brothers backyard was a big reason of what happened at Guilford Court house. The Patriots crossed the Shallowford which is the only point to cross the Yadkin River for miles flooded out after they crossed stranding the British and giving the Patriots time to prepare for the Battle of Guilford Court house
Thank you - I learned so much from this fascinating mini-biography.
That was a good video, thanks!
as far as the tipur peace part, ive heard in one of your videos im sure, that if both sides are unhappy about the treaty, then its probably fair...or something smart like that
the irony, GW wanted to attack Clinton in New York, but the French persuaded him to move into Virginia, with assurances that the French fleet would block the James River and not allow Cornwallis to evacuate via the sea or allow Clinton to reinforce Cornwallis again, via the sea. So, we will never know if GW had his way and attack Clinton in New York, would Clinton have been able to deal a defeat to GW. Why wouldn't Cornwallis not be confident that Clinton would have been able to send reinforcements or be able to evacuate Yorktown; the Royal Navy was pretty bad ass in the late 1700's going back to King Henry VIII.
Great video keep up the good work on your channel loving it 👍🏻🙂🔥
Cornwallis before the American Revolution: _He was a _*_mediocre_*_ man._
Cornwallis after the American Revolution:
_He was quite a _*_mediocre_*_ and _*_incompetent_*_ man._
Cornwallis after the East Indies:
_He was an utterly _*_mediocre, incompetent_*_ and _*_racist_*_ man._
Cornwallis after the Irishmen Rebellion:
_He was such a _*_mediocre, incompetent, racist_*_ and just plain awful men, that he deserves his own _*_biography._*
Can we get a Simon Whistler biographics
or danny from business blaze
Tbf to Cornwallis, he was severely understaffed, a thousand miles away from Britain, with a parliament focused on Napoleon (basically our first world war-like effort), with politicians who didn't care about keeping America.
Also, there was a tremendous philosophical sympathy from the highest politicians/public in the UK as Americans were seen as British subjects expanding Britain. How can you not agree with their want for representation?
Also the majority of Americans did not want to leave the British Empire, and the ones that did, did not care about the tiny tax. They cared a lot more about being banned from expanding West
"What could possibly go wrong?"
*things go wrong*
Maybe another famous British soldier for a Biographics, Sir Robert Baden Powell (the founder of the Scouting Movement)
Amazing job as always Biographics
You know in a way I admire him. Unlike most other leaders he decided to spare the lives of his men, instead of slamming wave after wave into the continental army until he lost.
Yhea for someone of his birth at that time he seems to be a rare exception that actually thought anyone without a title was worth the same as someone with one. Most of the over privileged idiots back then and put in that position would have happily watched people die in the name of their honor. Your death or my glory and all that.
@@itarry4 exactly! Well put my friend
Could you cover Major General Smedley Butler? A two time receipt of the Medal of Honour. Who would later write the book "War is a Racket".
I loved the anecdote at the end. We so often tell our children you can do anything if you follow your dreams. Well, that’s good advice to motivate you, but it’s not necessarily true.
I especially like to see thought provoking consideration that had written being a meritocracy at this time, despite his dreams, his performance and skills would have been what saw him being passed up for a more superior commander.
Meritocracy is the way.
All I’ve read about Cornwallis confirms this. He wasn’t evil, he just was - and thank God for that.
He was a racist
@@kingstarscream320 lol. K
@@kingstarscream320 Well he was a Briton from the 1700s your gonna have to look pretty far to find someone at that time that wasnt
@@kingstarscream320 LOL loser.
@@Bazza1993ify What? He was. It is hard to qualify abusing a people and intruding on their land for profit as being something a good guy would do.
He is buried in Ghazipur, India.
Wow, Cornwallis does bring an early connection between the US and India
I've been lucky enough to have visited Yorktown,,its a wonderfully interesting national park. A great place to visit if ur a history buff. Alot of history happened in Virginia.
I've been there as well I agree completely
LMAOOOOO, the music choice while comparing Cornwallis to Wile E. Coyote was outstanding‼️😭😅😭 Truly perfect if you ask me 😅 Very fitting considering their cartoonish game of cat and mouse 😅😭😅😭😅💯 What a way to be remembered
Could you pleeeease do an video about the second and last emperor of Brazil, Pedro II? He was the greatest brazilian ruler and patriot and you never did an video about an brazilian guy
It still cracks me up that the best portrayal of Cornwallis in American film is in a Mel Gibson movie.
That film was absolute shite 😂
@@The_Republic_of_Ireland It has GREAT comedy though. *Ship explodes* "Oh fireworks! How lovely!"
"Why am I still in this rag? It's a horse blanket!"
@@The_Republic_of_Ireland Ahhhh, but it was quality shite! Some of the best overacting by some of the best overactors in the business!
"a kick in the nuts or the rectal insertion of a cactus" 😂😂😂 I'm definitely stealing that. The dig at the current UK government was unnecessary tho. Save it for the "Brexit" history video in a few years. I come here for info on the past. Not for commentary on the present.
Fun fact : the white flag in the surrender of lord cornwallis painting is actually the white banner of the french royal navy. they win the Battle of the Chesapeake, As a result of this victory, they blocked any reinforcement or escape by sea for Cornwallis and also disembarked the heavy siege guns required by the allied land forces.
At Last! Someone else who knows the truth, This guy omits what doesn't suit his narrative.
1:25 - Chapter 1 - For king & country
5:15 - Chapter 2 - Revolution rock
8:55 - Mid roll ads
10:20 - Chapter 3 - The road to yorktown
14:00 - Chapter 4 - From Yorktown to the top
17:00 - Chapter 5 - Passage to india
20:25 - Chapter 6 - The failed union
- Chapter 7 -
PS: Considering how the colonies have turned out, he might have the last laugh !!!
"He was going to keep failing upward until it killed him"... 😂
I Suspect that this is one of those Arnold j Rimmer past lives
American history has said so little about him. Basically the most said is that he surrendered at Yorktown.
It was good to learn that he was more than that. He had more opportunities to serve his nation and he tried his best under difficult circumstances.
This reminds me of Joe Biden. Failing upwards with complicity.
Well when you write your superior over half a dozen times telling him you need reinforcements or you're gonna be defeated over the course of several months and he never sends assistance until it's far, far too late, I'd say there's not much that you can do.
I got to ask. You would prefer having Justing Trudeau the substitute drama teacher as your PM?
Kind of obvious if you watch any of his vids.
One of my favourite biographics yet! Would be a really sad story if he weren’t just so comedically inept.
13 colonies: Revolts and declares independence
Cornwallis: bloody hell
Connacht: Revolts and declares a republic
Cornwallis: Oi mayte, got a loisense for that declaration?
*burns Connacht to the ground