Empire, David Olusoga at his best.

Maremia

And possibly, why did we ignore global warming?

Absolutely! Greed?

And possibly, why did we ignore global warming?

Galaxy

It is highly unlikely the mistakes of the past ( and there is also the point that Britain was actually one of the leaders of stopping slavery around the world) will be the mistakes of present day. Without a doubt there will be practices we all consider 'normal' today that will be viewed with horror in years to come. We are unlikely to be the first generation who the future generation don't look back on with horror.

I think that one thing the human race will look back on with horror, is how we treat other species - once we fully understand the emotions, feelings and needs of other species.

Fully agree with these last two comments. Outstanding programme.

Fantastic programme, fantastic presenter and look forward to more of his work.

I have watched the series and found it extremely enlightening. However, some of the comments here are sadly indicative of the lack of empathy that is currently endemic in British society and politics. Yes, not ALL plantation owners were white but the overwhelming majority were and made vast amounts of money from the legalised dehumanisation of an entire race.

It is highly unlikely the mistakes of the past ( and there is also the point that Britain was actually one of the leaders of stopping slavery around the world) will be the mistakes of present day. Without a doubt there will be practices we all consider 'normal' today that will be viewed with horror in years to come. We are unlikely to be the first generation who the future generation don't look back on with horror.

Remembering, learning from the memory and avoid repeating mistakes.
Up to you, to feel guilty or not.

He appeared in Meghan and Harry’s Netflix documentary having a right old go at the Commonwealth. Called it British Empire 2.0. Really?
All countries are in it by free will. Gabon and Togo recently chose to join - both former French colonies. Some former British colonies have chosen to leave. He never mentioned that…🤔

Maremia

It is about remembering it, and remembering the consequences, and thus having the opportunity to make the choice to change the pattern or not.
If we are lucky enough to live in a democracy, and have cash to spend, then we can make big choices every 4 years or so, and small choices every day, with every purchase we make.

Yes its about remembering but not feeling guilty.

I'm not sure if we should still be wearing hair shirts over what some people's ancestors did in many countries, not just Great Britain.
Great Britain

We have moved on since then. Slavery was abolished 200 years ago but some would want us to still keep apologising for the sins of some of our fathers.

Commonwealth yes,.Empire? Most said 'no thanks'.

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Of those who did, the majority are still third world countries.

Of those that didn't (e.g. Australia, Canada, NZ) they are prosperous and are the envy of many.

Many Caribbean countries after becoming independent still chose to remain in the Commonwealth (e.g Barbados, St Lucia, Grenada, Antigua). They have good education, health care, life styles - for example the literacy rate percentage on Barbados is higher than that of the UK and USA.

And there are still countries with applications pending to join the Commonweath (which at present comprises of 56 countries)
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The United Kingdom is the former colonial power from which the largest number of countries have gained independence (62 nations in total) a Guinness World Record.

Allira

The afternoon will appear even more miserable after you watch it! Totally biased. Usual BBC.
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P.S. I enjoyed seeing him in 'Traitors' and he came over as very pleasant. But it was obvious that he had no imagination, common sense or nous; at no time did he show any intelligent thought or discernment.
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So, if the Empire was so absolutely fabulous, why did colonised countries seek their independence?

Sarnia

I too very much enjoyed 'A House through Time'. In fact I've watched the episode that featured my home city three times!!

However, I gave up after the first episode of this series as, typically for his programmes on this type of subject, it is extremely biased. There is NEVER any report or appreciation for all the good the British did to the commonwealth.

Certainly the more advanced nations re education and health care are more advanced because of being in the Commonwealth than those who weren't. - particularly those in the Eastern Caribbean.

There are presently 56 countries in the Commonwealth. They don't have to stay. There's (c) half-a-dozen pending
applications to join.

DO seems to revel at putting Britain down at every opportunity. He says that he isn't anti-Brit but he does appear to have an axe to grind. He has a white British mother and a lovely white British wife (they're near neighbours and she's absolutely delightful) so I wonder what they think of his continual denigration of their homeland? And what influence it is passing on to the perspective of their 10-year old daughter.

Maybe he could do a programme telling of all the good things that Great Britain has done throughout history all over the world. It would take a few episodes.

He has really become a bit of a one-trick pony.
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The mariners NEVER had to go inland to 'kidnap' potential slaves. The black natives captured their own family members and neighbours and brought them to the quayside themselves and then sold them for trinkets.
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It is about remembering it, and remembering the consequences, and thus having the opportunity to make the choice to change the pattern or not.
If we are lucky enough to live in a democracy, and have cash to spend, then we can make big choices every 4 years or so, and small choices every day, with every purchase we make.

Whitewavemark2

Yes. He also does a podcast that is worth listening to.

I've listened to a couple after you mentioned them WWM and have learned a lot. Thank you.

I like David Olusoga. I like his surly presentation manner and I like the way he dives deep into obscure documents and pulls out threads that shed loads full of weight to them. He goes for the facts and their consequences.

But we can change the consequences of the past, and you cannot do that without understanding it.

For example, the social and economic circumstances that breeds a Sudan, or a Hitler, situation.
Or create, as we are learning from the series, the relationships between ex colonies and ourselves, why we now find ourselves in x or y a situation in internationals relationships.

Or, on the positive side, we use the knowledge of the past to make better decisions about for example dealing with a pandemic, dealing with flooding. How we build our houses and make future housing situations better. How we treat such and such an illness ...

The list is endless, and sometimes actually very profound

Maremia

Those who cannot remember the past are condemned to repeat it.

Its not about not remembering it, but not being able to change anything.

Those who cannot remember the past are condemned to repeat it.