Why Does Britain Own Gibraltar? (Short Animated Documentary)

Since 1704 Gibraltar has been a tiny British overseas territory attached to the Spanish mainland and despite its proximity to Spain, its size and the time that's passed since Spain has never managed to regain it. Which raises the question: why does Britain own Gibraltar? To answer watch this short and simple animated history documentary.

A special thanks to all of these Patrons below, without whom the show wouldn't be possible:

Southside Mitch
Michael Kram
Franco La Bruna
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Richard Wolfe
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[RonMexico]

*any small territory exists*
History matters: but why

[suddenllybah]

"The results were extremely close, with over 99%"

oh you.

[godstop]

“The results were very close with 99% of the population opting to remain with the British” I see very very close.

[FabulousFadz]

I never knew that Franco caught a mild case of death. That can be a real bummer. It's usually fatal, even if mild.

[ashjones]

I'm Welsh/British my girlfriend is Spanish/Argentinian, we sometimes disagree on things.

[michaelrosario]

I honestly want a compilation with his constant “and caught a mild case of death”

[dmgroberts]

Historically, whenever the question of "how did the British Empire retain control of this area adjacent to the ocean?" arises, the answer is usually "most powerful navy in the world."

[peterkoester]

I have visited Gibraltar twice during my service in the US Navy - 1998 and 2003. It is without a doubt my favorite foreign port call. I have trekked up the Rock twice, visiting the various attractions like the Great Siege Tunnels, St Michael's Cave, and O'Hara's Battery as well as a tour of the WWII tunnels by a member of the British Army. Also hiked across the territory from the Spanish border to Europa Point making stops along the way at places like the American War Memorial, the 100-Ton Gun, and Europa Point Lighthouse. I would LOVE to go back to Gibraltar again and bring my family along this time!

[leftfootfirstpolitics]

"And the results were extremely close."

...to unanimous.

[imaduckworth]

“However Spain wasn’t looking and so Britain quickly built an airfield”

[parabalani]

Gosh, this is the most fascinating thing that I've learned today. A British territory that is pretty much in Spain

[tykjpelk]

"Why does/did Britain own X" could be a channel of its own.

[AndoCommando]

I love the deadpan sarcastic understatement that runs strong in this channel.
The results were extremely close with over 99% voting to remain British…
Love it.

[arandombard]

Spain: "Give us Gibraltar
UK: "Sure, just gotta have a referendum"
Gibraltar: "No"
UK: 'shrugs'

[sMALLiNSIGHTT]

This is very well done, my friend ! Truly good piece of work !

[stellayates]

I remember crossing into Gibraltar from Spain on the day of the last referendum in 2002. I could not believe the number of Union Jacks hanging from buildings and in all the shops. No surprise which way the people would be voting!

[reiniervanderhulst]

Franco was lucky to only catch a mild case of death. Having a severe case of death: that's killing.

[MonsieurDean]

Because the Spanish Hapsburgs inbred the most powerful empire of the time into extinction.

[carlireland]

Franco didn't technically deny Hitler outright. He made demands to annex former French colonies in North Africa that he knew the Nazis and their expansionist ally Fascist Italy could not agree to. It worked, and Hitler came away from the Hendaye summit complaining that he would rather go to the dentist than negotiate with Spain again.

[Dragonboy]

"When Britian's attention was focussed on those rascals"

Those damn rascals throwing away good tea!