The Cynical Historian

Evolution of filibustering - pirates, invaders, and delayers | Engaging Etymology (2016x5)

Air date: Jan 31, 2016

Yet another filibuster has happened on the floor of congress, but have you ever wondered where that term comes from. Its a fascinating origine, filled with pirates and revolutionaries. ------------------------------------------------------------ more videos: Engaging Etymology: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLjnwpaclU4wUqiSMRMv6EWNaOEGtif8cg ------------------------------------------------------------ SUBSCRIBE FOR MORE VIDEOS: http://www.youtube.com/subscription_center?add_user=CynicalCypher88 contribute to my Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/CynicalHistorian LET'S CONNECT: https://www.facebook.com/cynicalcypher88 https://twitter.com/Cynical_History ------------------------------------------------------------ wiki: A filibuster or freebooter, in the context of foreign policy, is someone who engages in an (at least nominally) unauthorized military expedition into a foreign country or territory to foment or support a revolution. The term is usually used to describe United States citizens who fomented insurrections in Latin America in the mid-19th century (Texas, California, Cuba, Nicaragua, Colombia), but is also applicable in the modern day. Filibuster expeditions have also occasionally been used as cover for government-approved deniable operations (see also False flag). A notable late 20th Century example of this would be the Argentinian 'scrap metal merchants' who landed on South Georgia at the outset of the Falklands War.[citation needed] Filibusters are irregular soldiers who (normally) act without official authority from their own government, and are generally motivated by financial gain, political ideology, or the thrill of adventure. The freewheeling actions of the filibusters of the 1850s led to the name being applied figuratively to the political act of filibustering in the United States Congress.[1] Unlike a mercenary, a filibuster leader/commander works for himself, whilst a mercenary leader works for others.[2] ------------