Bismark:What is the one thing I asked you not to do Kaiser Wilhelm: Let an alliance between France and Russia to happen Bismark:Now what did you do Kaiser Wilhelm: Let them create an alliance
+EdSkywalker To be fair, if the Kaiser hadn't fired Bismarck in 1895, things might have gone differently. Although looking at the Kaiser's lifestyle habits, he probably would have died of lung cancer or cirrhosis at one of the most crucial moments before the war.
Not only that but the moron also got on the bad side of Britian by building up a huge navy to oppose them. Britian obviously wasnt stupid and took notice.....
Bismark: What did I tell you?! Kaiser Wilhelm: ... that if I continued down this path the German Empire would be destroyed within 20 years. Bismark: And what did you do! Kaiser Wilhelm: .... continued down this path and the German Empire was destroyed in twenty years and four months.
Truthfully, Nicholas was actually very distraught when he heard of the deaths on his coronation day. Personally, he wanted to go to the cathedral to pray for the dead, but was convinced to continue the festivities and hold the ball to show his strength and determination. Whatever else might be said of Nicholas II, he was not an evil man, just a man that was never prepared to be Tsar, and honestly had never wanted the job. Whatever his faults as a ruler and a man were, he did not deserve the fate that ultimately befell him and his family.
Exactly, and sadly his family paid for it, all of them murdered. His three daughters would of ruled just fine, his son sence easily sickened was spoiled, his daughters were not and they actually helped nurse sick men during a war. And yet even not having any power they were killed. I feel like they should of kept the Russian Royal family alive, sure... I'm glad that their father isn't ruling, and I'm not saying he should of continued to rule. They should of kept the Royal family as a trophy in a way, kinda like what the British do. Instead of brutality mudding them, which the kids did not deserve. Their father was to blame not them, but the people hsted them to much. It didn't help with the fact the country basically hated his wife. One because she didn't bare a son, for forever and if my memory is correct, which I could be wrong, she was also someone from a place ( which I can't remember) that the Russian's did not like. So much lead to their death and I can't help but feel bad for at least those three daughters, for they most certainly were not spoiled like their brother and had, probably, no chance to even gain the thrown because of the male heir thing. That family suffer a lot.
If he did not want to be a tsar and wanted to show his determination and will, then he must be given the throne to someone else. Monarchic dynasties are large families, there will always be an heir. His family did not deserve that fate, but he deserved it.
Thomas Headley one of the sick ironies about the last Tsar is that he probably would have excelled as a constitutional monarch. So many of his flaws as an all powerful autocrat would have served him very well as a figurehead.
"Otto von Biskarck deserves an episode to himself" They said. 3 years later he filled a 6 videos series. A great man, greater than we innitially thought.
Wow, not even five minutes in and I already have chills. This is very much a different explanation of this war than what I learned in history textbooks. They said that the war was inevitable because of nationalism and a crazy system of alliances. I was never told why everyone was getting so nationalistic and I have never heard of the congress of Europe. All together, I have a strong feeling this series or maybe even this video will change my fundamental outlook on the world and politics.
my son who's 3 LOVES your show. I do t think its for the history though its good to just hear. he loves it for the maps and flags and the "cookie people", he thinks the people are cookies.
@@PintoRagazzo that’s the same thing I do. I watch Extra history or extra credits or extra mythology so I have something cool to listen to when I’m doing random stuff better yet it’s educational!,
Good piece. A lot of WW1 vids are too focused on the Ferdinand assassination. Not that it wasn't instrumental, but they don't pay enough attention to the 40 years prior and the major players involved.
Good looking out to those who noticed the anachronistic German flag! We try to catch these things but some slip by - and it's great to have sharp eyed historians help us fix them for the future. -JP
Perhaps you could look through the flags of Victoria II by Paradox - they already did a lot of research work on these things :) (Not that that game is, in every single way, historically perfectly accurate, but details like that they got down pretty well)
And you can't be bothered to know who was in power at which point in time and you mixed names. This video has plenty of misinformation, a really bad start for such a series.
A few things Extra History: Germany under Bismarck had no real interest in colonies overseas because 1) they were expensive and would never be economically viable in the long run, and 2) while they did get colonies in Africa and the Pacific, they were too far away and the government didn't provide the logistics needed for colonies. Nicolas II wasn't told about the 1300 deaths at his coronation because his ministers didn't want to upset him and he was told afterwards. Also, Rasputin exerted his control though the Tsarina, who was a German princess not well loved by the local nobles of the court. Probably a typo at 9:00, but Nicolas II, and the key part of why he didn't give a fuck about the constitution was that its first clause said that the Tsar was above the laws of man since he was God's representative on earth. I would have loved if you had mentioned the weapon treaties signed between the powers in Europe in the decade leading to 1914. I also wish that you had included more in this introductory video because there is A LOT going on leading up to the Great War. Also, in the next video, please touch upon the Balkan Wars (1911-1912, 1912-1913) as it helps with a lot of what's to come around the Assassination. Your research was good, but I would highly recommend doing better. Also, whether intentional or not, you seem to be giving a Pro-Britain viewpoint about Germany and Austria-Hungary, and the rest of the Central Powers, . I also did send an email to you offering my services as a researcher since I do have a B.A. in History and World War I is one of my focuses. I am still available as a volunteer.
Fascinating, if a little quick. I'd love to see this delivered a little more slowly, as the sheer dearth of knowledge is a little much for those unfamiliar with the time period. But you are doing the world a great service in this, by making recent history palatable. And unlike the punic wars, it's history that you can more measurably see and feel the impacts of today. Thanks.
Jeff Kloepfer Also Extra Credits, the Middle East was divided up by the British and the French, in a cafe in Paris, a pen, and a map of the Ottoman Empire. Only they were involved in the division and it was the victors who fucked up everything
Jeff Kloepfer Well Jeff they did at least (briefly, but hey its all brief really) acknowledge Bismarck. I so often see people completely forget that Germany before the world wars wasn't a bad nation really. Bismarck is honestly one of my favorite historical figures up there with Tesla, Einstein, Thomas Jefferson. He also is probably the last political figure I really respected. There have been so few after him. I mean churchhill was interesting, but never caught my eye. Then again my field of study is ancient history with a focus on Greece, so what can I really say on the matter.
Bismarck and the creation of the German Empire probably deserve their own series. It's really easy to forget that, before Germany became a nation state, it was basically a big jigsaw puzzle... for pretty much 300 years. And Bismarck, at least at that time, was probably the only man capable and smart enough to unify it. Before he was fired and Wilhelm II. ballsed everything up, Germany was faring pretty well as far as empires go. But yeah, leave one of the strongest military nations in history in the hands of a juvenile royal cripple with something to prove, and bam... two world wars and the nation cut into two pieces again for fifty years. Just because one lordly idiot was so eager to prove himself. It's almost poetic in it's tragedy and pointlessness. But yeah, do an episode on Bismarck, because that guy (even tho he had terrible domestic politics) was epic in his own right.
+Aaron Idstein Well to be fair, the only thing that kept Bismark Kanzler at this point was that the Kaiser keept him in his place, he already lost the support of the german parlament at this time (thoug to outlawing the "sozialdemokraten", and his pretty bad innerpolitical descitions when it came to the working class). Yes Bismark was a great diplomat, but his strengths was the foreing politic not the inner politics. It was still stupid to fire Bismark thought, but it is always easy to say something in hingnside.
+A Meier I completely agree with you. terrible chancellor but one of the smartest diplomats the world has ever seen. Of course that''s exactly why the war hungry Wilhelm II disliked him so much and fired him ultimately.
+Aaron Idstein I remember reading about Bismarck by myself for homework in high school. It was one of those rare passages in a textbook where you can tell the writer is really excited about what they're writing. It was infectious. I really don't remember very much of what Bismarck did, but I remember being very, very impressed.
+Aaron Idstein I read at a german museum that Wilhelm sort of resented him because most people believed he would be nothing without bismarck, and bismarck didnt think too highly of the kaiser as well. They simply had too much crap between them for that relationship to ever work
Stefano Sgro That's pretty much what happened, yes. Bismark oppenly attacked the Kaiser for his warmongering. Wilhelm II in return saw him as an old fossill, a relict from his fathers reign he had to dispose of.
Everything about this series is perfect. The soundtrack, the writing, the narration, the art. It's all masterfully done to create the most memorable extra history series ever. Congratulations!
WWII didn't leave the same sour taste in the mouths of the victors. After WWI, no nation seemed to have gained, to have triumphed over a terrible foe. The war ended, some land was seized, reparations demanded, restrictions and blame assigned. Was that worth the millions of dead? The only nation not traumatized by the losses was the US, which saw itself used as a pawn by the major Allied Powers. After the War, the US would refuse to join the League of Nations (A organization formed by President Wilson's efforts,) and isolation would dog US international policies right up to Pearl Harbor over 20 years later. After WWII, the US (and the other Allies,) proclaimed that they had Saved The World from a new Dark Age, and in the minds of most everyone involved, they really believed it. It was a war were the US would now embrace international action and organization, where Germany and Japan were completely torn down and rebuilt, because it was seen as a necessity. Defeating evil and saving the world? Yeah, that's movie material.
Not to mention how schools (or at least at my schools) babble endlessly about the same shit from WW2 but *rarely* cover anything else, not even from WW1.
WW1 was a political mess created by old allegiances and fear. No one was "right" or the good guys. WW2 had clear villains and a decisive victory over evil. It makes for better movies and video games.
Radosław Hołdys You must be new to the internet. Here is a wondrous place filled with the sum knowledge of all of human history. But it's also the play ground of the most disgusting, hateful, pieces of shit imaginable. Here you will meet PLENTY of people who need to be explained to why nazis are bad.
You guys should be in ever classroom in the country. I've never been so entertained while learning about history! Usually the second someone says "history lesson" I IMMEDIATELY fall asleep but I find myself about to click into Episode 2 and I'm way stoked on it :) Gonna watch the Roman one next :D
I think it's also important to note that there would be no Great War without the Seven Years' War. Without that conflict, the dominoes of British taxes, revolutions, and Napoleon would have never fallen, and the Holy Roman Empire would have lasted longer. It's interesting to note how each global conflict leads to another. We barely missed another during the Cold War. Progress!
I'm gonna cry from happiness... I was watching your videogame related videos to, admittedly, procrastinate studying for my history exam tomorrow on.... World War I. Then I saw this video in my recommendations. Needless to say... I was thrilled! Talk about the best of both worlds. :D
World War 2 to many is a greater war with everything going on. It’s a shame World War I isn’t really taught much besides the most basic of info for this war. WWI lead us into the modern age
They shall grow not old, as we that are left grow old; Age shall not weary them, nor the years condemn. At the going down of the sun and in the morning We will remember them.
Well, if WW1 never happened, Germany would not be in as much of a financial problem, the people of Germany would not need a change in power, and Adolf would not be put into power, therefore Poland is not conquered by Nazi Germany...you get my point.
Eon2641 But those weren't empires in the monarchical sense with an Tsar, Emperor or Kaiser ruling. There are however German historians who combine both world wars into a 30 year long war with a seize fire in the middle, because WW II followed from WW I and the opposing sides were roughly the same. I wouldn't really agree with that though. WW II could have been avoided, if people just wouldn't have followed Hitler. His rise was far from being unavoidable.
man that is so sad ... especially for me as a german living in this day and age. in school we always focus on world war 2. i can't even remember if we even talked about world war one in history class. thanks for making these videos. i can't believe how sad the story leading to this terrible war is.
Maybe no one will read this but the comparison of dying empires to a dying person is actually incredible. Humans are so afraid of death, both literal and metaphorical, that we create entire systems to avoid it, or at least avoid thinking about it. This fear is a pretty strong driving force for any person, and consequently echoes into the larger entities we create.
I've made a Patreon account and donated 10$, which I plan do do once a month, hopefully once every 2 weeks. I'm planning to put the idea in the next raffle.
Redem10 to be honest both nicolas and kaiser von wilhelm were a bit like joffrey. spoilt brats who tried to make themselves more powerful than they actually were. I mean, wilhelm throwing tantrums is one of the main reasons why the war started in the first place
This series was wonderful. I hope we see more like it, in the era leading up to World War 2. All of the Extra Histories are great, but I think this one stands out the most.
Did anyone else notice the name on the headstone? The stone on 0:08 was Egon Schiele, an austrian painter that was in WWI and also an early exponent of Expressionism that died of the spanish flu. Nice little slip in there guys
In school they never explained why the Allied powers unilaterally blamed Germany for WWI in the Treaty of Versailles. I thought they were just being bitter. Now I'm starting to see it.
Great job not ignoring Austria Hungary entirely, not acting like it wasn't really even a country nor acting like it wasn't a major player at the time. You passed a step a lot of people fail at in that.
Well... First of all, extra credits is all about games! I mean, they teach us about games, and that we should learm from games!!! So go buy crusader kings 2, and learn how monarcy works!!!! Nicholas II was the czar as well as emperor!!!!
Inferno Cop Well, there was a significant chunk of Seven Years' War in Assassin's Creed III, and it also heavily featured in the more scripted parts of Empire Total War.
I have decided to watch all the EXTRA HISTORY episodes that I can before I leave for the Army. Im happy yall covered World War I, one of my favorite wars to study and if I had one chance to go back in history to fight in a war, it would be during World War I. And the coolest thing is you posted this during the same month and year 100-years later when WWI broke out. Thank you for posting this amazing series!!! :)
Every time I hear that music, about Flanders Field, I want to cry. I recommend to everyone, if you find yourself near Kansas City, go to the WW1 Museum and pay your respect to the field of poppies.
ERROR!!!! ERROR!!!!! ERROR!!!!! Alexander II was NOT Emperor when Japan beat Russia's ass in 1905! Neither was he the one who signed the papers agreeing to a Parliament! That was Nicholas II !!!!!! DO PLEASE NOTE!
The GoT reference cracked me up (come to think of it, Nikolas's father had a lot in common with Robert Baratheon), but I'd say Tommen Baratheon would have been a more accurate analogy.
I've watched about half of the extra history's, and stopped for a while once I caught up. Now, I am re watching ever one of them, and then continuing where I left off! These videos are just so good!
Did you guys overlook the Franco-Prussian war? It set the precedent for the political climate leading up to WWI. Hardly one of those 'minor wars' during those '100 years of peace'
They mentioned it, go to 3:17. also if you think about the Franco-Prussian. It was not a major thing compared to the Napoleonic wars and what is about to take place.
The sad thing is, the war would have happened even without the assassination. Europe had spent 100 years building up to destroy itself again, Napoleon's fall had been the first of many, many causes of WW1. Had the Archduke not died, odds are it would have erupted by 1920 regardless.
see i never understood why germany was seen as a villain in all this. they where only trying to do what england, spain, and france did.. the only difference is they wanted to do it later.. after everyone else did.. same fucking thing. and after the first world war? they where trying to recover when they lost so much they where starving to death.. and listened to the first voice they could have hope in.. and yeah it was fucking awful.. but like.. humans do shit like that when desperate.
+AmazingHatOfDreams Hitler was elected with roughly 55% of the popular votes 1933 (43% for the nazi, 11% for the centre party which was allied with Hitler). The nazi party had a 2/3 majority in the reichstag. So yeah the Germans did overwhelmingly vote for him and he was universally popular within Germany. Also most of Hitlers ideology was publicly displayed in Mein Kampft, a book no one bothered to read before voting for him. Bombing a city, as ruthless as it is, is not the pure evil of INDUSTRIALISED MURDER the Nazi implemented. The problem lies within the submissive and feudal nature of the german people in contrast to English, American and French culture. Germans never had a civil war, never had a revolution, never liked democracy. the average german was just happy to serve his lord/junker. That's the core of the vaunted German discipline, they do as they are told and don't ask questions. Hence the succession of evil megalomaniac rulers from Bismarck, to Willhem I, to Willhem II (Both responsible for the Namibian Genocide) to Hitler.
at 2:00 you say that Europe has been at peace for a hundred years. What about the franco-Prussian war in 1870-1871? Both France and Germany were involved and it made Germany believe in the potential to overrun the French again in 1914. Or is this war simply too short/with but two major nations?
When most people say Europe had been at peace for a hundred years, they mean that there weren't any wars on the Napoleonic scale or really anything close. From my understanding, it is also saying that there weren't any really major wars between the great powers, but my understanding of late 19th century Europe is still under developed so I am might be wrong. Sorry if my answer is non-satisfying.
Hold on - 100 years of peace? What about the Franco-Prussian War? The Paris Commune, the largest urban insurrection in European history? The literally continent-wide (though failed) revolution of 1848? Even stuff like the Second Schleswig War and the Austro-Prussian War should be included.
But they're still large conflicts (Austria lost 71000 men in the Austro-Prussian War) in the heart of Europe between major powers (Prussia, the German Confederation, the French Empire, etc). Hardly a peaceful period when in a 'minor' conflict over 100000 people can be killed in a war lasting about two months.
***** So is it that we consider the Napoleonic Wars one large conflict, but don't think of the Bismarckian Wars in the same way? And moving to "there were less wars than during the Napoleonic period" is a lot different from what was said in the video, which was "100 years of peace". And all-out wars like ones that overthrow empires, create new nations, and in a disturbing prediction of what would come, target civilian populations like in the Siege of Paris? I don't mean to sound so snarky, but the claim that the Concert of Europe was a period of real peace has always seemed to me a fiction of British diplomats, because they managed to keep the UK out of European land wars.
It's sad that even today most people believe Wilhelm II to be a war-hungry fool with an over-inflated ego since, if you look at what he did during his reign, during the crisis and even during the war, it was all to preserve peace and save lives. I pray the world will realise this mistake and see him as people of the time saw and referred to him as, The Peace Kaiser.
Fun Fact: Kaiser Wilhelm II of Germany, King George V of England, and Tsar Nicholas II of Russia where all first cousins and the grandchildren of Queen Victoria of England
This kinda turned my view of the war on its head. Am I putting too much emphasis on the military build-up in the navy between Germany and Great Britain which caused GB to fear the fact that Germany might take their spot as the naval super power. The fact that Germany was fearful of Russian military modernization which they thought would overtake them by 1916, and their economy soon to be overtaken by the GB. Is it really wrong to believe that the war was the product of a grander German - British powerstruggle/cold war?
It was certainly fueled by it: the stupid kaiser going on about the navy, always pointing at GB - completely drowning the voices and advice of more level-headed, smart politicians. Glory to the uniforms! But the War was a product of a lot of different things - the militarization and Germany being under the Rule of the most military-prone part (Prussia, where everything had to be on time, organized in hierarchies, a uniform was the most important thing - there were a lot of parodies about it). But the Germans also really had it out for the French (and the other way around) - taking away an economically superimportant area of France in 1871, that france really wanted to have back. And the Germans had been asses about winning over france in 1871 and got all that back after WWI (which hurt so much and played on so many vengeful heartstrings, that this was easy to utilize for militaristic factions). Also the whole situation in Austria-Hungary was super-volatile. At that point, small substitue conflictas already broke out in the colonies - so it was jut a matter of time, until one of the many, many powder kegs blew up and set the continent aflame. I don't think, that the war can be put down to one reason or one goal or one villain, but that the war became so terrible and had so many nations involved certainly also was a reason of the military presences.
I believe that the chief reason Great Britain got involved was because Germany invaded Belgium. This was in violation of the 1839 Guarantee of Belgian Neutrality (also called the Treaty of London) of which all the major players were signatories.
To this day, the mere story of this conflict brings me to tears. If there were a thing to remember forever, this would be it, when humanity turned upon itself, and was torn to shreds.
***** I think you're reading a bit too much into the tone. I was merely commenting on something I recognized, not bragging about my gaming knowledge or asking for clarification or anything like that.
Haha, I was just being informative in a roundabout way, not trying to be rude (plus far too many people skip descriptions and end up asking what the music is). Good catch all the same.
"otto von bismarck deserves an episode to himself"
turns out he deserved a whole series to himself!
Damn right he did.
Which he has :)
And even then there needs to be 2
He had a plan to get a series
Taiwan Mapper Bismark always has a plan
“Otto Von Bismarck deserves an episode all himself”
Little did they know Bismarck had a plan. He ALWAYS has a plan.
Always
well he made 1
Wilhelm truly screwed up what bismarck built
he had more plans than Dutch
Otto von Bismarck vs. Al Swearengen. Who would win?
Bismark:What is the one thing I asked you not to do
Kaiser Wilhelm: Let an alliance between France and Russia to happen
Bismark:Now what did you do
Kaiser Wilhelm: Let them create an alliance
+EdSkywalker To be fair, if the Kaiser hadn't fired Bismarck in 1895, things might have gone differently.
Although looking at the Kaiser's lifestyle habits, he probably would have died of lung cancer or cirrhosis at one of the most crucial moments before the war.
Not only that but the moron also got on the bad side of Britian by building up a huge navy to oppose them. Britian obviously wasnt stupid and took notice.....
Bismark: What did I tell you?!
Kaiser Wilhelm: ... that if I continued down this path the German Empire would be destroyed within 20 years.
Bismark: And what did you do!
Kaiser Wilhelm: .... continued down this path and the German Empire was destroyed in twenty years and four months.
EdSkywalker z
EdSkywalker Bismarck was dead tho
Breakfast with Otto would be a great breakfast show. Anyone else would watch that?
yes
Probably
Me
"So, Otto, how do you think issues should be solved today?"
"THROUGH IRON AND BLOOD!"
rainthegenericname_ Yea
Truthfully, Nicholas was actually very distraught when he heard of the deaths on his coronation day. Personally, he wanted to go to the cathedral to pray for the dead, but was convinced to continue the festivities and hold the ball to show his strength and determination. Whatever else might be said of Nicholas II, he was not an evil man, just a man that was never prepared to be Tsar, and honestly had never wanted the job. Whatever his faults as a ruler and a man were, he did not deserve the fate that ultimately befell him and his family.
Exactly, and sadly his family paid for it, all of them murdered. His three daughters would of ruled just fine, his son sence easily sickened was spoiled, his daughters were not and they actually helped nurse sick men during a war. And yet even not having any power they were killed. I feel like they should of kept the Russian Royal family alive, sure... I'm glad that their father isn't ruling, and I'm not saying he should of continued to rule. They should of kept the Royal family as a trophy in a way, kinda like what the British do. Instead of brutality mudding them, which the kids did not deserve. Their father was to blame not them, but the people hsted them to much. It didn't help with the fact the country basically hated his wife. One because she didn't bare a son, for forever and if my memory is correct, which I could be wrong, she was also someone from a place ( which I can't remember) that the Russian's did not like. So much lead to their death and I can't help but feel bad for at least those three daughters, for they most certainly were not spoiled like their brother and had, probably, no chance to even gain the thrown because of the male heir thing. That family suffer a lot.
If he did not want to be a tsar and wanted to show his determination and will, then he must be given the throne to someone else. Monarchic dynasties are large families, there will always be an heir. His family did not deserve that fate, but he deserved it.
@@impervas5801 That's not how monarchies work but ok
Yes but he became a symbol
An icon
An emotion
For the communists to win this symbol needed to be destroyed
An Ethernet communists did win
Thomas Headley one of the sick ironies about the last Tsar is that he probably would have excelled as a constitutional monarch. So many of his flaws as an all powerful autocrat would have served him very well as a figurehead.
"...Some damn foolish thing in the balkans..."
damn sandwitch
Sandwiches are too powerful for this world
"Born in a crucible of gunpowder and toxic smoke, and the blood of 10 million men."
That is the most fucking metal thing I have heard all day.
Why does that give me Sabaton References.
Because ya know they are making a movie about the War to End all Wars
"Otto von Biskarck deserves an episode to himself" They said.
3 years later he filled a 6 videos series.
A great man, greater than we innitially thought.
*Poland wants to know your location*
And even then they only told half the story.
Wow, not even five minutes in and I already have chills. This is very much a different explanation of this war than what I learned in history textbooks.
They said that the war was inevitable because of nationalism and a crazy system of alliances. I was never told why everyone was getting so nationalistic and I have never heard of the congress of Europe.
All together, I have a strong feeling this series or maybe even this video will change my fundamental outlook on the world and politics.
my son who's 3 LOVES your show. I do t think its for the history though its good to just hear. he loves it for the maps and flags and the "cookie people", he thinks the people are cookies.
ragana and broo So cute.
I know it's late, but teaching your son is a noble part of being his parent. Teach them to learn from the past, the good and the bad.
😊
@@PintoRagazzo that’s the same thing I do. I watch Extra history or extra credits or extra mythology so I have something cool to listen to when I’m doing random stuff better yet it’s educational!,
I hope your son is doing well!
Good piece. A lot of WW1 vids are too focused on the Ferdinand assassination. Not that it wasn't instrumental, but they don't pay enough attention to the 40 years prior and the major players involved.
specialj99 Well this is quite inaccurate so don't take it as fact.
Reasons are a lot of work, why bother when you can just make bold proclamations?
the causes of war are trivialities -Julius Caesar
@@chrisshorenumber1 lol then name few
@@chrisshorenumber1 examples please?
Good looking out to those who noticed the anachronistic German flag! We try to catch these things but some slip by - and it's great to have sharp eyed historians help us fix them for the future. -JP
I think that it's great that you showed the Imperial German flag. Helps give context. Keep up the good work!
Perhaps you could look through the flags of Victoria II by Paradox - they already did a lot of research work on these things :) (Not that that game is, in every single way, historically perfectly accurate, but details like that they got down pretty well)
And you can't be bothered to know who was in power at which point in time and you mixed names. This video has plenty of misinformation, a really bad start for such a series.
Is it viable for you to correct the things and reupload a new version?
Biggkenny
If not, they should make a bunch of annotations
The curtain is drawn. Events are in motion. #ExtraHistory discusses World War I!
***** If you haven't seen it, you should watch their other extra history series on the Punic Wars
A few things Extra History:
Germany under Bismarck had no real interest in colonies overseas because 1) they were expensive and would never be economically viable in the long run, and 2) while they did get colonies in Africa and the Pacific, they were too far away and the government didn't provide the logistics needed for colonies.
Nicolas II wasn't told about the 1300 deaths at his coronation because his ministers didn't want to upset him and he was told afterwards. Also, Rasputin exerted his control though the Tsarina, who was a German princess not well loved by the local nobles of the court.
Probably a typo at 9:00, but Nicolas II, and the key part of why he didn't give a fuck about the constitution was that its first clause said that the Tsar was above the laws of man since he was God's representative on earth.
I would have loved if you had mentioned the weapon treaties signed between the powers in Europe in the decade leading to 1914. I also wish that you had included more in this introductory video because there is A LOT going on leading up to the Great War.
Also, in the next video, please touch upon the Balkan Wars (1911-1912, 1912-1913) as it helps with a lot of what's to come around the Assassination.
Your research was good, but I would highly recommend doing better. Also, whether intentional or not, you seem to be giving a Pro-Britain viewpoint about Germany and Austria-Hungary, and the rest of the Central Powers, .
I also did send an email to you offering my services as a researcher since I do have a B.A. in History and World War I is one of my focuses. I am still available as a volunteer.
Fascinating, if a little quick. I'd love to see this delivered a little more slowly, as the sheer dearth of knowledge is a little much for those unfamiliar with the time period. But you are doing the world a great service in this, by making recent history palatable. And unlike the punic wars, it's history that you can more measurably see and feel the impacts of today. Thanks.
Jeff Kloepfer
Also Extra Credits, the Middle East was divided up by the British and the French, in a cafe in Paris, a pen, and a map of the Ottoman Empire. Only they were involved in the division and it was the victors who fucked up everything
Jeff Kloepfer Well Jeff they did at least (briefly, but hey its all brief really) acknowledge Bismarck. I so often see people completely forget that Germany before the world wars wasn't a bad nation really. Bismarck is honestly one of my favorite historical figures up there with Tesla, Einstein, Thomas Jefferson. He also is probably the last political figure I really respected. There have been so few after him. I mean churchhill was interesting, but never caught my eye.
Then again my field of study is ancient history with a focus on Greece, so what can I really say on the matter.
Bismarck and the creation of the German Empire probably deserve their own series. It's really easy to forget that, before Germany became a nation state, it was basically a big jigsaw puzzle... for pretty much 300 years. And Bismarck, at least at that time, was probably the only man capable and smart enough to unify it. Before he was fired and Wilhelm II. ballsed everything up, Germany was faring pretty well as far as empires go. But yeah, leave one of the strongest military nations in history in the hands of a juvenile royal cripple with something to prove, and bam... two world wars and the nation cut into two pieces again for fifty years. Just because one lordly idiot was so eager to prove himself. It's almost poetic in it's tragedy and pointlessness. But yeah, do an episode on Bismarck, because that guy (even tho he had terrible domestic politics) was epic in his own right.
+Aaron Idstein Well to be fair, the only thing that kept Bismark Kanzler at this point was that the Kaiser keept him in his place, he already lost the support of the german parlament at this time (thoug to outlawing the "sozialdemokraten", and his pretty bad innerpolitical descitions when it came to the working class). Yes Bismark was a great diplomat, but his strengths was the foreing politic not the inner politics. It was still stupid to fire Bismark thought, but it is always easy to say something in hingnside.
+A Meier I completely agree with you. terrible chancellor but one of the smartest diplomats the world has ever seen. Of course that''s exactly why the war hungry Wilhelm II disliked him so much and fired him ultimately.
+Aaron Idstein I remember reading about Bismarck by myself for homework in high school. It was one of those rare passages in a textbook where you can tell the writer is really excited about what they're writing. It was infectious. I really don't remember very much of what Bismarck did, but I remember being very, very impressed.
+Aaron Idstein I read at a german museum that Wilhelm sort of resented him because most people believed he would be nothing without bismarck, and bismarck didnt think too highly of the kaiser as well. They simply had too much crap between them for that relationship to ever work
Stefano Sgro That's pretty much what happened, yes. Bismark oppenly attacked the Kaiser for his warmongering. Wilhelm II in return saw him as an old fossill, a relict from his fathers reign he had to dispose of.
Everything about this series is perfect. The soundtrack, the writing, the narration, the art. It's all masterfully done to create the most memorable extra history series ever. Congratulations!
I like it. I come back to it at least once a year. The Flanders Fields song always makes me really sad.
Something that bothers me is that there are far too many WW2 movies compared to WW1 movies.
WWII didn't leave the same sour taste in the mouths of the victors. After WWI, no nation seemed to have gained, to have triumphed over a terrible foe. The war ended, some land was seized, reparations demanded, restrictions and blame assigned. Was that worth the millions of dead? The only nation not traumatized by the losses was the US, which saw itself used as a pawn by the major Allied Powers. After the War, the US would refuse to join the League of Nations (A organization formed by President Wilson's efforts,) and isolation would dog US international policies right up to Pearl Harbor over 20 years later.
After WWII, the US (and the other Allies,) proclaimed that they had Saved The World from a new Dark Age, and in the minds of most everyone involved, they really believed it. It was a war were the US would now embrace international action and organization, where Germany and Japan were completely torn down and rebuilt, because it was seen as a necessity. Defeating evil and saving the world? Yeah, that's movie material.
Not to mention how schools (or at least at my schools) babble endlessly about the same shit from WW2 but *rarely* cover anything else, not even from WW1.
WW1 was a political mess created by old allegiances and fear. No one was "right" or the good guys. WW2 had clear villains and a decisive victory over evil. It makes for better movies and video games.
I guess it's easier to make WW2 movies since you have a *VERY* clear cut villain and don't ever have to bother explaining why nazis are bad.
Radosław Hołdys You must be new to the internet. Here is a wondrous place filled with the sum knowledge of all of human history. But it's also the play ground of the most disgusting, hateful, pieces of shit imaginable. Here you will meet PLENTY of people who need to be explained to why nazis are bad.
You guys should be in ever classroom in the country. I've never been so entertained while learning about history! Usually the second someone says "history lesson" I IMMEDIATELY fall asleep but I find myself about to click into Episode 2 and I'm way stoked on it :) Gonna watch the Roman one next :D
I think it's also important to note that there would be no Great War without the Seven Years' War. Without that conflict, the dominoes of British taxes, revolutions, and Napoleon would have never fallen, and the Holy Roman Empire would have lasted longer.
It's interesting to note how each global conflict leads to another. We barely missed another during the Cold War. Progress!
And there would be no ww1 without Rome… history is a big chain of dominoes, and you have to draw the line somewhere.
I'm gonna cry from happiness... I was watching your videogame related videos to, admittedly, procrastinate studying for my history exam tomorrow on.... World War I. Then I saw this video in my recommendations.
Needless to say... I was thrilled! Talk about the best of both worlds. :D
I'm down to learn absolutely anything about World War 1, honestly.
I feel that it generally gets overwritten and glossed over in favor of World War 2.
World War One is far more fascinating. The web of diplomacies, the growth of technology, a whole lot of crazy firsts
World War 2 to many is a greater war with everything going on. It’s a shame World War I isn’t really taught much besides the most basic of info for this war. WWI lead us into the modern age
Actually post WW1 laid the foundation for WW2, so still important to learn about post WW1 period.
@@forTehMemes But without WW1, there would be no WW2, there would be no Ghosts of Empires but Empires themselves.
They shall grow not old, as we that are left grow old;
Age shall not weary them, nor the years condemn.
At the going down of the sun and in the morning
We will remember them.
More concise and engaging information than any history class I’ve ever taken, this is the best web series I’ve ever seen
Not going to lie this is the first channel/video that made me seriously consider donating to their patreon fantastic work. Keep it up.
I did. Seems quite like good quality to spend on.
I always come back to these videos every 11th. God bless the soldiers who fought for us.
I don't think you guys could have picked a more appropriate and beautifully sad outro than In Flanders Fields. This composition is perfect. Bravo.
Why let 1300 deaths ruin a good crusade?
Cuz walpole.
+ZeSquirrel You know nothing ZeSquirrel
DarkElves 101 c;
Why let a few hundred trampled people and a weak Russia get in the way of a good crusade?
AngelBlue1302 why let a few Acres of alsace-lorraine get in the way of the good World War?
I heard it started when a bloke called Archie Duke shot an ostrich cause he was hungry
Blackadder
Hard times create strong men.
Strong men create good times.
Good times create weak men.
Weak men create hard times.
Nerd
@@DankestLLama nice
@@MrHavoc313 xD
Na, nationalists create hard times... Just that...
Mediocre times create mediocre men, mediocre men create mediocre times.
“A man known to smoke 3 cigars at once and down a bottle of champagne at breakfast”
I didnt realize bender from futurama was chancellor of germany
I will always say there is no beter Extra History opener and series than this one.
Ironically, "The war to end all wars" lid directly into another - arguably worse war. I, honestly, like to call it World War 1 part 2.
***** about every war boils down to ideals and/or religion
***** but it was the events of WW1 that set WW2 into motion
***** ww2 was just as much about empires as it was about ideals
Well, if WW1 never happened, Germany would not be in as much of a financial problem, the people of Germany would not need a change in power, and Adolf would not be put into power, therefore Poland is not conquered by Nazi Germany...you get my point.
Eon2641 But those weren't empires in the monarchical sense with an Tsar, Emperor or Kaiser ruling.
There are however German historians who combine both world wars into a 30 year long war with a seize fire in the middle, because WW II followed from WW I and the opposing sides were roughly the same. I wouldn't really agree with that though. WW II could have been avoided, if people just wouldn't have followed Hitler. His rise was far from being unavoidable.
Europe rolled many 6,6 general in the late 1800s
+dusty burkybile they also got a whole bunch of level 3 statesmen. not to mention all those 5/5/6 leaders
+Stefano Sgro And many enemy of enemy modifiers which led to weird alliances
BIGBenfica9 - FM15 How is german manpower supposed to fight fucking baguette and Russia. Literally unplayable
Not even OP Prussia could beat BBB
If they had a show superiority cassus Belli they could've. But they never got to the war goal
This series is high-key slept on. Easily top 5 Extra History.
man that is so sad ... especially for me as a german living in this day and age. in school we always focus on world war 2. i can't even remember if we even talked about world war one in history class. thanks for making these videos. i can't believe how sad the story leading to this terrible war is.
Maybe no one will read this but the comparison of dying empires to a dying person is actually incredible.
Humans are so afraid of death, both literal and metaphorical, that we create entire systems to avoid it, or at least avoid thinking about it.
This fear is a pretty strong driving force for any person, and consequently echoes into the larger entities we create.
Make the Otto Von Bismarck episode!
Healthy diet!!
Master Tactician Cigars and whiskey for breakfast!!!
Sam Wolfenstein yes yes yes
I've made a Patreon account and donated 10$, which I plan do do once a month, hopefully once every 2 weeks. I'm planning to put the idea in the next raffle.
+
Extra credits has teached me more about history than my school ever did, and Extra credits also makes it fun.
Extremely well done. Many thanks!
Still the best series EH has ever put out.
minute 8:58 you probably meant Nicholas II not Alexander
Great video btw, you have covered what no ww1 documentary ever covers
ye
Damn comparing Nicholas II to Joffrey...that's nasty
Yep. A picture of king Robert would perhaps be more accurate?
BosonCollider Whoa whoa whoa, let's not lose our heads now!
Redem10 to be honest both nicolas and kaiser von wilhelm were a bit like joffrey. spoilt brats who tried to make themselves more powerful than they actually were. I mean, wilhelm throwing tantrums is one of the main reasons why the war started in the first place
Did you all forget that the tsar was known as Nicholas the bloody
Yeah, he was flawed, but he wasn't that bad!
“The concert of Europe.”
Me: Eurovision?
So this is how the Europeans prevent wars nowadays.
The first minute and a half is some of the best words I’ve ever heard
This series was wonderful. I hope we see more like it, in the era leading up to World War 2. All of the Extra Histories are great, but I think this one stands out the most.
Did anyone else notice the name on the headstone? The stone on 0:08 was Egon Schiele, an austrian painter that was in WWI and also an early exponent of Expressionism that died of the spanish flu. Nice little slip in there guys
...still waiting for Breakfast with Otto :D
At least we got a Otto Series :) I just rewatched it today, Camarilla ftw
I got my history teacher to play these in class And it was awesome :3
In school they never explained why the Allied powers unilaterally blamed Germany for WWI in the Treaty of Versailles. I thought they were just being bitter. Now I'm starting to see it.
No history lesson has ever really taught me the causes of World War I; this explained it so well in just 10 minutes. Love this channel!
Great job not ignoring Austria Hungary entirely, not acting like it wasn't really even a country nor acting like it wasn't a major player at the time. You passed a step a lot of people fail at in that.
I remember 2 years ago I used watch these videos for hours.
Nicholas II was the czar in 1905, not Alexander II(8:57). Just saying, that's a pretty important detail.
Neither of them were czars. There hasn't been a czar since 1721, when Peter declared himself Emperor.
Correction. The title was "Imperator."
Golly. Should I correct your comment to be
'Popravka, titul byl "Imperator"' just because that's a Russian translation/-literation?
You were the one who started the corrections. I was just making a decent point in the first place about the accuracy of a history video.
Well... First of all, extra credits is all about games! I mean, they teach us about games, and that we should learm from games!!! So go buy crusader kings 2, and learn how monarcy works!!!! Nicholas II was the czar as well as emperor!!!!
6:18 "A man who probably deserves an episode all to himself."
Bismarck had a plan...
This is the best-written series they’ve ever done.
Happy 10 year anniversary Extra History!
can i say that WW1 was the only war that i know of, to not have 20 games about it? also i this is amazing keep up the good work.
What about the Crimean War? There's not a lot of games about that either, and yet it's one of the most commonly well known wars in history...
Robert Faber haven't seen much on the seven year's war either, come to think of it...
Inferno Cop Well, there was a significant chunk of Seven Years' War in Assassin's Creed III, and it also heavily featured in the more scripted parts of Empire Total War.
There is a photo of ‘Men’ 4:33 wondering who those are?
Also amazing videos
Another year, another November 11th, another rewatch.
I've shed a few tears over the last.moments of ferdinando and Sophie . Great video
I have decided to watch all the EXTRA HISTORY episodes that I can before I leave for the Army. Im happy yall covered World War I, one of my favorite wars to study and if I had one chance to go back in history to fight in a war, it would be during World War I. And the coolest thing is you posted this during the same month and year 100-years later when WWI broke out. Thank you for posting this amazing series!!! :)
I wish my history class was this entertaining :/
Otto von bismark I don't think there was enough tape. 6:27
Still waiting for an Otto von Bismarck episode ... just sayin^^
You and me both my friend.
it coming fall
Lucas Schigart your wish is granted
you wish was super-granted
I hate how much ww1 is skipped over because it’s “less flashy” then ww2. It’s perhaps the most defining moment in recent history
Watching this before my International relations class. Today we talk about WWI, the history before the war, and the leaders. Thanks Extra History.
Every time I hear that music, about Flanders Field, I want to cry.
I recommend to everyone, if you find yourself near Kansas City, go to the WW1 Museum and pay your respect to the field of poppies.
ERROR!!!! ERROR!!!!! ERROR!!!!!
Alexander II was NOT Emperor when Japan beat Russia's ass in 1905!
Neither was he the one who signed the papers agreeing to a Parliament!
That was Nicholas II !!!!!!
DO PLEASE NOTE!
Richard L. Kent Have we met?
Have we?
No shit. Watch it again.
They brought that up in the lies episode.
4:00 funny thing is is that England did leave
Still the best series made by this channel.
Thank you for choosing Flander's Fields as the conclusion. One of the best pieces ever written.
6:48
In case your wondering
33 days off
HE was only 33 days off!
Wow!
The GoT reference cracked me up (come to think of it, Nikolas's father had a lot in common with Robert Baratheon), but I'd say Tommen Baratheon would have been a more accurate analogy.
8:50 Alexander II was long dead by the time of Russian-Japan war and the establishment of the parliament. I think you meant Nicholas II there
I've watched about half of the extra history's, and stopped for a while once I caught up. Now, I am re watching ever one of them, and then continuing where I left off! These videos are just so good!
I am glad Alex Trebek gets a bit of a cameo here.
RIP Alex Trebek, 1940-2020
6:20 an entire episode, how about six episodes
Did you guys overlook the Franco-Prussian war? It set the precedent for the political climate leading up to WWI. Hardly one of those 'minor wars' during those '100 years of peace'
They mentioned it, go to 3:17. also if you think about the Franco-Prussian. It was not a major thing compared to the Napoleonic wars and what is about to take place.
The sad thing is, the war would have happened even without the assassination. Europe had spent 100 years building up to destroy itself again, Napoleon's fall had been the first of many, many causes of WW1. Had the Archduke not died, odds are it would have erupted by 1920 regardless.
Bismarck, a man who deserves his own episode.... 3 years later they finally did it
It's still the best series of Extra History
*Fast forward 3 years*
God that Bismarck series was great.
We are learing WW1 in history class and I showed my history teacher this series and he played them for the class
see i never understood why germany was seen as a villain in all this. they where only trying to do what england, spain, and france did.. the only difference is they wanted to do it later.. after everyone else did.. same fucking thing.
and after the first world war? they where trying to recover when they lost so much they where starving to death.. and listened to the first voice they could have hope in.. and yeah it was fucking awful.. but like.. humans do shit like that when desperate.
AmazingHatOfDreams
everyone gets dirty hands in war.
+AmazingHatOfDreams You were right, it was Dresden.
+AmazingHatOfDreams Hitler was elected with roughly 55% of the popular votes 1933 (43% for the nazi, 11% for the centre party which was allied with Hitler). The nazi party had a 2/3 majority in the reichstag. So yeah the Germans did overwhelmingly vote for him and he was universally popular within Germany.
Also most of Hitlers ideology was publicly displayed in Mein Kampft, a book no one bothered to read before voting for him. Bombing a city, as ruthless as it is, is not the pure evil of INDUSTRIALISED MURDER the Nazi implemented.
The problem lies within the submissive and feudal nature of the german people in contrast to English, American and French culture. Germans never had a civil war, never had a revolution, never liked democracy. the average german was just happy to serve his lord/junker. That's the core of the vaunted German discipline, they do as they are told and don't ask questions. Hence the succession of evil megalomaniac rulers from Bismarck, to Willhem I, to Willhem II (Both responsible for the Namibian Genocide) to Hitler.
Frencho9 ....55% isn't crazy overwhelming... thats just passing by a bit.. 97% would be overwhelming.
Frencho9 ... if you say so..
I'm American and couldn't have sung "In Flanders Fields" on a bet, and yet that song somehow evokes exactly the right emotions all the same.
hi im kenny i think these videos are really amazing i watch them all day
Great episode, I love the focus on the personalities that caused the history to happen.
at 2:00 you say that Europe has been at peace for a hundred years. What about the franco-Prussian war in 1870-1871? Both France and Germany were involved and it made Germany believe in the potential to overrun the French again in 1914. Or is this war simply too short/with but two major nations?
When most people say Europe had been at peace for a hundred years, they mean that there weren't any wars on the Napoleonic scale or really anything close. From my understanding, it is also saying that there weren't any really major wars between the great powers, but my understanding of late 19th century Europe is still under developed so I am might be wrong. Sorry if my answer is non-satisfying.
Hold on - 100 years of peace? What about the Franco-Prussian War? The Paris Commune, the largest urban insurrection in European history? The literally continent-wide (though failed) revolution of 1848? Even stuff like the Second Schleswig War and the Austro-Prussian War should be included.
I think the Franco-Prussian war was mentioned.
True, it was - I wrote that immediately after the "100 years of peace" comment.
relative peace.
But they're still large conflicts (Austria lost 71000 men in the Austro-Prussian War) in the heart of Europe between major powers (Prussia, the German Confederation, the French Empire, etc). Hardly a peaceful period when in a 'minor' conflict over 100000 people can be killed in a war lasting about two months.
*****
So is it that we consider the Napoleonic Wars one large conflict, but don't think of the Bismarckian Wars in the same way? And moving to "there were less wars than during the Napoleonic period" is a lot different from what was said in the video, which was "100 years of peace".
And all-out wars like ones that overthrow empires, create new nations, and in a disturbing prediction of what would come, target civilian populations like in the Siege of Paris? I don't mean to sound so snarky, but the claim that the Concert of Europe was a period of real peace has always seemed to me a fiction of British diplomats, because they managed to keep the UK out of European land wars.
Best series of this channel
This episode has the coolest drawings I swear
It's sad that even today most people believe Wilhelm II to be a war-hungry fool with an over-inflated ego since, if you look at what he did during his reign, during the crisis and even during the war, it was all to preserve peace and save lives. I pray the world will realise this mistake and see him as people of the time saw and referred to him as, The Peace Kaiser.
Fun Fact: Kaiser Wilhelm II of Germany, King George V of England, and Tsar Nicholas II of Russia where all first cousins and the grandchildren of Queen Victoria of England
That is pretty funny and probably the best underestimated WW1 fact I've ever heard.
This kinda turned my view of the war on its head.
Am I putting too much emphasis on the military build-up in the navy between Germany and Great Britain which caused GB to fear the fact that Germany might take their spot as the naval super power.
The fact that Germany was fearful of Russian military modernization which they thought would overtake them by 1916, and their economy soon to be overtaken by the GB.
Is it really wrong to believe that the war was the product of a grander German - British powerstruggle/cold war?
It was certainly fueled by it: the stupid kaiser going on about the navy, always pointing at GB - completely drowning the voices and advice of more level-headed, smart politicians. Glory to the uniforms! But the War was a product of a lot of different things - the militarization and Germany being under the Rule of the most military-prone part (Prussia, where everything had to be on time, organized in hierarchies, a uniform was the most important thing - there were a lot of parodies about it).
But the Germans also really had it out for the French (and the other way around) - taking away an economically superimportant area of France in 1871, that france really wanted to have back. And the Germans had been asses about winning over france in 1871 and got all that back after WWI (which hurt so much and played on so many vengeful heartstrings, that this was easy to utilize for militaristic factions).
Also the whole situation in Austria-Hungary was super-volatile. At that point, small substitue conflictas already broke out in the colonies - so it was jut a matter of time, until one of the many, many powder kegs blew up and set the continent aflame.
I don't think, that the war can be put down to one reason or one goal or one villain, but that the war became so terrible and had so many nations involved certainly also was a reason of the military presences.
I believe that the chief reason Great Britain got involved was because Germany invaded Belgium. This was in violation of the 1839 Guarantee of Belgian Neutrality (also called the Treaty of London) of which all the major players were signatories.
RightHonourableVimes Do you by any chance mean the US and not GB?
Tartar Nope it was the UK.
vksepe Well, the UK and France had a millitary alliance, thus it's pretty obvious as to why UK came to the defense of France.
Yes! finally someone uses the song "in flander's feilds" yes thank you!
To this day, the mere story of this conflict brings me to tears. If there were a thing to remember forever, this would be it, when humanity turned upon itself, and was torn to shreds.
Otto von bismarck probably need a video for himself. Gets 7
Was that Birth of the People from ActRaiser at the beginning? Sure as hell sounds like it.
Maybe there's some kind of link in the description which can answer this question...
***** I think you're reading a bit too much into the tone. I was merely commenting on something I recognized, not bragging about my gaming knowledge or asking for clarification or anything like that.
Haha, I was just being informative in a roundabout way, not trying to be rude (plus far too many people skip descriptions and end up asking what the music is). Good catch all the same.
Sure as hell sounds like it to me. Same rhythm and note relations, even if it's in a different key.
Yeah, I'm pretty sure it is.
I've watched this video so many times I can probably recite the words.
That picture triggered my fight or flight response instantly 3:27
Impressive, to say the least. Thank you very much.