You cannot predict how a teen will use technology. Adults are afraid they’ll accidentally sell their own organs on the dark web, meanwhile, teens are making a bunch of history TikTok videos to study. I love these nerds.
The trend of turning history into funny, easily understood videos set to music is an absolute delight. While some of the commentary on historical events is a bit facile, it does make for a helpful study aid. When was the last time you thought about the Monroe Doctrine? Probably never, so these TikToks are a refresher course.
Others have a very woke perspective, addressing how the U.S. failed Vietnam and the horrors of colonization—and all set to peppy pop music. While I doubt the teens making these got a lot of studying done, for the rest of us, they’re a reminder that history is a living thing, always ready to be retold from new perspectives. Here’s how TikTok teens see it:
1. The Titanic
Titanic
the maiden voyage of the RMS titanic, 1912 pic.twitter.com/jlqoLV9F1x
— nadia jaferey (@nadiajaferey) October 25, 2019
2. Germany Invades Belgium
german occupation of belgium, 1914 pic.twitter.com/nPmuUjCSk4
— nadia jaferey (@nadiajaferey) October 25, 2019
3. The League of Nations
the establishment of the league of nations, 1919 pic.twitter.com/9m4c3hUi4F
— nadia jaferey (@nadiajaferey) October 25, 2019
4. Attack on Pearl Harbor
attack on pearl harbor, 1941 pic.twitter.com/DWoAXbSflo
— nadia jaferey (@nadiajaferey) October 25, 2019
5. The Declaration of Independence Is Signed
the signing of the declaration of independence, 1776 pic.twitter.com/GcS2WoWerp
— nadia jaferey (@nadiajaferey) October 25, 2019
6. Europeans Colonizing The World
european age of exploration/invasion, 1405 – present pic.twitter.com/A5CSjv9Sph
— nadia jaferey (@nadiajaferey) October 25, 2019
7. The Monroe Doctrine
the monroe doctrine, 1823 pic.twitter.com/H46nbl8MZT
— nadia jaferey (@nadiajaferey) October 25, 2019
8. Colonization of Africa
colonization of the continent of africa, 1400s pic.twitter.com/xZlFUPSnu7
— nadia jaferey (@nadiajaferey) October 25, 2019
9. The Assassination of Abraham Lincoln
the assassination of abraham lincoln, 1865 pic.twitter.com/8uuO8knoOw
— nadia jaferey (@nadiajaferey) October 25, 2019
10. The Many European Plagues
the black death, 1347-1351 pic.twitter.com/uN6EabK9Qd
— nadia jaferey (@nadiajaferey) October 25, 2019
11. William McKinley is Elected
election of us president william mckinley, 1896 pic.twitter.com/izhokFMnJ2
— nadia jaferey (@nadiajaferey) October 25, 2019
12. Christopher Columbus
christopher columbus, 1401-1506 pic.twitter.com/GXIXDghC99
— nadia jaferey (@nadiajaferey) October 25, 2019
13. Henry VIII and his Many Wives
henry viii has his marriage to catherine of aragon annulled in favor of anne boleyn, 1533 pic.twitter.com/PkCOK9zMH8
— nadia jaferey (@nadiajaferey) October 25, 2019
14. Boston Tea Party
the boston tea party (1773) pic.twitter.com/r8xMDn56U4
— nadia jaferey (@nadiajaferey) October 25, 2019
15. The 1912 Election
united states election, 1912 pic.twitter.com/Kh9OIzDJdC
— nadia jaferey (@nadiajaferey) October 25, 2019
16. The U.S. Leaving Vietnam
the united states exits vietnam, 1975 pic.twitter.com/sTGg4IVaqE
— nadia jaferey (@nadiajaferey) October 25, 2019
17. Catherine The Great
reign of catherine the great of russia, 1762-1796 pic.twitter.com/SRm3HJx0nU
— nadia jaferey (@nadiajaferey) October 26, 2019
18. The Protestant Reformation
protestant reformation, 1517 pic.twitter.com/xaIB89GDOM
— nadia jaferey (@nadiajaferey) October 26, 2019
19. Napoleon invades Russia
20. The Double Helix Heist
21. Austria and Hungary
22. The East India Company
23. The U.S. Joining WWII
24. The History of Feminism
i am glad that high school has not changed pic.twitter.com/iOtEOJEhfw
— Sara Yasin 🙅🏻 (@sarayasin) October 18, 2019
25. Tarrare
This obscure history tik tok I made got taken down so I guess I’ll post it here pic.twitter.com/rlxBha1Bih
— Tombo✌🤠 (@uhquinas) October 24, 2019
The one above is….insane history I never knew about before. Thank you, weird teens.
More funny TikToks, memes, and tweets:
- Teen Girls Are Dancing To Crying Messages From Scumbag Exes On TikTok And Twitter
- This Teen’s Cat TikTok Is The Content We Actually Get On The Internet To See
- 38 Of The Best True Crime Memes To Laugh At When You’re Too Scared To Sleep
- 27 Funny And Borderline Painful Posts About, Ugh, Being An Adult
- 25 Of The Funniest Masturbation Tweets From Women