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Mark Twain's Weapons of Satire: Anti-imperialist Writings on the Philippine-American War
Mark Twain was described by a contemporary newspaper as the "most influential anti-imperialist and the most dreaded critic of the sacrosanct person in the White House that the country contains." Although not a pacifist, Twain was the most prominent opponent of the Philippine-American War. Today, however, this aspect of Mark Twain's career is barely known. His writings on the war have never been collected in a single volume, and a number of them are published here for the first time. Although he was a vice president of the Anti-Imperialist League from 1901 to 1910, until now no thorough study had been made of his relationship with the organized opposition to the war. Drawing upon the unpublished manuscripts of Mark Twain and various leaders of the League, Jim Zwick's Introduction and headnotes provide the most complete account of Twain's involvement in the anti-imperialist movement. Mark Twain's writings sparked intense controversy when they were written. Readers will appreciate the continuing relevance and quotability of his statements on the abuse of patriotism, the "treason" of requiring school children to salute the flag, the right to dissent, the importance of self-government, and the value of America's democratic and anticolonial traditions. This book will prove valuable to all who are interested in Twain and his works as well as to teachers of literature, peace studies, and history.
213 pages, Cloth
First published January 1, 1992
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304 people want to read
About the author
Mark Twain
9,120 books18.8k followersLibrarian Note: There is more than one author by this name in the Goodreads database.
Samuel Langhorne Clemens, known by the pen name Mark Twain, was an American writer, humorist and essayist. He was praised as the "greatest humorist the United States has produced," with William Faulkner calling him "the father of American literature." His novels include The Adventures of Tom Sawyer (1876) and its sequel, Adventures of Huckleberry Finn (1884), with the latter often called the "Great American Novel." Twain also wrote A Connecticut Yankee in King Arthur's Court (1889) and Pudd'nhead Wilson (1894), and co-wrote The Gilded Age: A Tale of Today (1873) with Charles Dudley Warner.
Samuel Langhorne Clemens, known by the pen name Mark Twain, was an American writer, humorist and essayist. He was praised as the "greatest humorist the United States has produced," with William Faulkner calling him "the father of American literature." His novels include The Adventures of Tom Sawyer (1876) and its sequel, Adventures of Huckleberry Finn (1884), with the latter often called the "Great American Novel." Twain also wrote A Connecticut Yankee in King Arthur's Court (1889) and Pudd'nhead Wilson (1894), and co-wrote The Gilded Age: A Tale of Today (1873) with Charles Dudley Warner.
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January 2, 2023
In his final decade Mark Twain became the most visible spokesman for The American Anti-Imperialist League, formed to oppose America's annexation and subjugation of the Philippines, and the brutal Philippine-American War that accomplished that goal. Today, that most shameful of all American wars has been neatly blotted from memory, and along with it the memory of Mark Twain's principled and vigorous opposition to it. For that opposition, he was denigrated in the press, and called a traitor who should be hung by a prominent American general. This book collects in one place his writings on this topic.
Collected here are pieces that he wrote and published at the time, dinner speeches, newspaper interviews, personal letters, and pieces that he wrote that were too hot and bitter to be published during his lifetime which eventually were published posthumously. Jim Zwick, the books editor, introduces each selection to give context.
To fully appreciate this book it’s helpful to have some knowledge of the Philippine-American War. This nastiest of American conflicts is a stain so dark and shameful that it has been scoured out of most history textbooks. Most Americans have no idea that the United States fought a brutal, eleven year guerrilla war against Filipino nationalist. A good, popular history of the subject can be found in The True Flag: Theodore Roosevelt, Mark Twain, and the Birth of American Empire, by Stephen Kinzer.
This is not a happy Mark Twain book, nor, for the most part does it contain his first rate material. While some of his famous wit can be found, there is far more bitterness and naked anger here, the result of an old man full of disappointment and disgust at his country that had betrayed its ideals and even the most basic expectations of civilized behavior. This is a valuable book, however, for collecting all in one place his writings on a subject demonstrating the depth of his social consciousness, even as it shows the bitterness of the knowledge that he was supporting a righteous yet losing cause.
Collected here are pieces that he wrote and published at the time, dinner speeches, newspaper interviews, personal letters, and pieces that he wrote that were too hot and bitter to be published during his lifetime which eventually were published posthumously. Jim Zwick, the books editor, introduces each selection to give context.
To fully appreciate this book it’s helpful to have some knowledge of the Philippine-American War. This nastiest of American conflicts is a stain so dark and shameful that it has been scoured out of most history textbooks. Most Americans have no idea that the United States fought a brutal, eleven year guerrilla war against Filipino nationalist. A good, popular history of the subject can be found in The True Flag: Theodore Roosevelt, Mark Twain, and the Birth of American Empire, by Stephen Kinzer.
This is not a happy Mark Twain book, nor, for the most part does it contain his first rate material. While some of his famous wit can be found, there is far more bitterness and naked anger here, the result of an old man full of disappointment and disgust at his country that had betrayed its ideals and even the most basic expectations of civilized behavior. This is a valuable book, however, for collecting all in one place his writings on a subject demonstrating the depth of his social consciousness, even as it shows the bitterness of the knowledge that he was supporting a righteous yet losing cause.
February 2, 2023
I've read more of his essays than his stories, Pudd'nhead Wilson being a favorite. But like those of H.G. Wells's fiction, I've gone through most of the comic books and movies made out of Twain's books. And while I enjoy Twain's stories, I like his essays, which showcased that dry, searing wit, better. But I like him best when he's passionately worked up over it. And the Philippine-American War, the "insurrection," as its supporters termed it, was the proverbial bee in the ageing, acerbic Twain's bonnet. Was it warranted, all that literary and verbal vitriol? Prior to reading this book, and given my peripheral, philistine's knowledge of my own country's history, I would have said no. I had an inkling of Twain's disapproval of the American presence in the Philippines, but I wasn't aware he was this deeply, personally involved in the anti-imperialist cause. Twain was the most iconic figure of his time, his well-earned popularity spanning both sides of the Atlantic. To give the scenario a late 20th century perspective, having Mark Twain supporting your cause and vehemently pleading your case to the public was like having Princess Diana, Barack Obama, The Beatles, and Superman atop your soapbox.
The Philippines was subjugated by Spain for some 300 years. In December 1898, the United States "bought" the Philippines from Spain for 20 million dollars. Twain smelled a rat and cried foul when hardly anyone of his prominence dared to speak against it. Presidents William McKinley and Teddy Roosevelt, and Generals Frederick Funston and Leonard Wood were Twain's marked nemeses, and deservedly so. The chapters on both generals are particularly riveting, and infuriating; the former for his actions--his contemptible game plan, in Aguinaldo's capture, the latter for his masterminding of the Moro massacre--the wanton murder of men, women and children. "Our country, right or wrong,"* was their rallying cry.
The Philippines is an archipelago consisting of some 7,107 islands (a high tide estimate), and hailing from Dumaguete City on the island province of Negros, I suppose this area of the Visayas region was spared the atrocities of the Philippine-American War. I assume this because our much older residents have never shown animosity towards the American occupiers. On the contrary, to them the Americans were "liberators." Two reasons may account for this, the first being geographical--we are an island province hundreds of kilometers detached from Luzon and Mindanao, separated by language and dialect, even culture. The second reason could only point to Silliman University. Established in 1901 through a grant of $10,000 from New York philanthropist Dr Horace Silliman, it is the first Protestant university in Asia, and was initially run by an all-American faculty. Education is a powerful, liberating tool, it instills a desire to emulate. And for both students, their families, and Dumaguete residents, America was exemplified in the teachings and mentoring of the university's pioneering professors and their wives. I am speaking of course, as a Sillimanian and a longtime resident of Dumaguete.
* There are two kinds of patriotism -- monarchical patriotism and republican patriotism. In the one case the government and the king may rightfully furnish you their notions of patriotism; in the other, neither the government nor the entire nation is privileged to dictate to any individual what the form of his patriotism shall be. The gospel of the monarchical patriotism is: "The King can do no wrong." We have adopted it with all its servility, with an unimportant change in the wording: "Our country, right or wrong!" We have thrown away the most valuable asset we had:-- the individual's right to oppose both flag and country when he (just he, by himself) believed them to be in the wrong. We have thrown it away; and with it all that was really respectable about that grotesque and laughable word, Patriotism. - Mark Twain
For this he was labeled a traitor. Ever the humorist, it was a badge he wore proudly.
** Less than two weeks after reading the book, I came across the headline below. A move I welcome, all things considered (hello, China). Seems the past isn't just another country. It's another planet.
https://edition.cnn.com/2023/02/01/as...
https://www.pinterest.ph/pin/65006652...
The Philippines was subjugated by Spain for some 300 years. In December 1898, the United States "bought" the Philippines from Spain for 20 million dollars. Twain smelled a rat and cried foul when hardly anyone of his prominence dared to speak against it. Presidents William McKinley and Teddy Roosevelt, and Generals Frederick Funston and Leonard Wood were Twain's marked nemeses, and deservedly so. The chapters on both generals are particularly riveting, and infuriating; the former for his actions--his contemptible game plan, in Aguinaldo's capture, the latter for his masterminding of the Moro massacre--the wanton murder of men, women and children. "Our country, right or wrong,"* was their rallying cry.
The Philippines is an archipelago consisting of some 7,107 islands (a high tide estimate), and hailing from Dumaguete City on the island province of Negros, I suppose this area of the Visayas region was spared the atrocities of the Philippine-American War. I assume this because our much older residents have never shown animosity towards the American occupiers. On the contrary, to them the Americans were "liberators." Two reasons may account for this, the first being geographical--we are an island province hundreds of kilometers detached from Luzon and Mindanao, separated by language and dialect, even culture. The second reason could only point to Silliman University. Established in 1901 through a grant of $10,000 from New York philanthropist Dr Horace Silliman, it is the first Protestant university in Asia, and was initially run by an all-American faculty. Education is a powerful, liberating tool, it instills a desire to emulate. And for both students, their families, and Dumaguete residents, America was exemplified in the teachings and mentoring of the university's pioneering professors and their wives. I am speaking of course, as a Sillimanian and a longtime resident of Dumaguete.
* There are two kinds of patriotism -- monarchical patriotism and republican patriotism. In the one case the government and the king may rightfully furnish you their notions of patriotism; in the other, neither the government nor the entire nation is privileged to dictate to any individual what the form of his patriotism shall be. The gospel of the monarchical patriotism is: "The King can do no wrong." We have adopted it with all its servility, with an unimportant change in the wording: "Our country, right or wrong!" We have thrown away the most valuable asset we had:-- the individual's right to oppose both flag and country when he (just he, by himself) believed them to be in the wrong. We have thrown it away; and with it all that was really respectable about that grotesque and laughable word, Patriotism. - Mark Twain
For this he was labeled a traitor. Ever the humorist, it was a badge he wore proudly.
** Less than two weeks after reading the book, I came across the headline below. A move I welcome, all things considered (hello, China). Seems the past isn't just another country. It's another planet.
https://edition.cnn.com/2023/02/01/as...
https://www.pinterest.ph/pin/65006652...
April 11, 2019
This volume is out of print and tends to be priced pretty high online, but I was able to get it through interlibrary loan. I'm interested in the Philippine American War, and the way it is silenced in American history, so I was intrigued to learn that Mark Twain had been an outspoken opponent of it. This book is a collection of Twain's anti-imperialist writings, including published articles, but also letters and unpublished works.
For the most part, I didn't find it that interesting--from the perspective of someone primarily interested in the Philippines, the content of the pieces tends to be just generically anti-imperialist, without engaging much in the specifics of the PAW. The strongest piece in the collection, for me, was an unpublished review of a biography of Emilio Aguinaldo, one of the revolutionary leaders of the Philippines. This piece really does engage with the specifics of Aguinaldo's life, and Twain draws an interesting analogy to orient an American reader--describing Aguinaldo's rise as the equivalent of a poor Black kid becoming a political leader in the Deep South. It's a shame this piece doesn't seem to be available elsewhere, as the rest of the book didn't rise to the same level of interest for me.
I was also frustrated by one aspect of Twain's writings. In railing against imperialism, he often frames the issue as the "British/European" tradition of empire versus the "American" tradition of respecting others' self-determination, and criticizing the annexation of the Philippines and other territories as counter to American values. This, of course, ignores the entire history of America's violent annexation of the territories of Native people. I'd rather Twain have appealed to the self-determination ideal, which certainly is a part of American culture, while also recognizing that our history has very often fallen short of it.
For the most part, I didn't find it that interesting--from the perspective of someone primarily interested in the Philippines, the content of the pieces tends to be just generically anti-imperialist, without engaging much in the specifics of the PAW. The strongest piece in the collection, for me, was an unpublished review of a biography of Emilio Aguinaldo, one of the revolutionary leaders of the Philippines. This piece really does engage with the specifics of Aguinaldo's life, and Twain draws an interesting analogy to orient an American reader--describing Aguinaldo's rise as the equivalent of a poor Black kid becoming a political leader in the Deep South. It's a shame this piece doesn't seem to be available elsewhere, as the rest of the book didn't rise to the same level of interest for me.
I was also frustrated by one aspect of Twain's writings. In railing against imperialism, he often frames the issue as the "British/European" tradition of empire versus the "American" tradition of respecting others' self-determination, and criticizing the annexation of the Philippines and other territories as counter to American values. This, of course, ignores the entire history of America's violent annexation of the territories of Native people. I'd rather Twain have appealed to the self-determination ideal, which certainly is a part of American culture, while also recognizing that our history has very often fallen short of it.
August 5, 2017
I am a Twainiac, through and through. There was nothing in this collection I haven't already read, which isn't necessarily a problem. For me, it was all about the narration. I recognize that this is an entirely subjective opinion-- so, please! If you're thinking about listening to this, then do. As for me, I just have strong notions of how I want "Twain" to sound (Hal Holbrook is gold standard, but I also enjoy Grover Gardner), and this wasn't it. Found myself drifting away from Twain's words, straight into daydreams. Sorry. I hope you try it anyway.
May 13, 2017
Mark Twain's scathing wit is turned on the imperialistic ambitions of American politicians and foreign policy in this collection of his speeches, letters, essays and columns. It's easy to remember Twain for his comedic works we read in high school, but if you'll remember, even those had a moral and point as well as a subtle critique of societal factors. Twain was nothing if not an activist. Shaming your government and placing yourself at risk of having your patriotism questioned, of being called a traitor, those things are never easy and Twain certainly did not shy from the challenge. History has proven him right in many of the assertions he made throughout this book. Now, that's not to say that America hasn't taken over many of the countries anyway, but doing so economically and through capitalism is less frowned upon than through military expeditions. Maybe, dare I say it . . . more civilized.
December 23, 2022
Book equivalent of "Randoms" album on a facebook page
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April 11, 2024i read this for my research paper but Twain ate with this one ngl
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March 16, 2026pungente y irónico
February 14, 2020
Anti-Imperialist Writings, by Mark Twain (audio book). This ‘book’ is a collection of articles, letters, and essays by Mr Twain, several of them quite pointed and critical of various subjects. The four that stand out for me are: 1) Training That Pays, a short speech about patriotism and the need for criticism rather than blanket acceptance of national actions; 2) To My Missionary Critics, a harsh critique of American missionaries who exacted retribution on the Chinese during the Boxer Rebellion; 3) A Defense of General Funston, a condemnation of what Twain believed were deceitful and dishonorable tactics by the General during the Philippine-American war (1899-1902); and 3) a long heavily sarcastic harangue against King Leopold II of Belgium and his ruthless, genocidal, and immoral rule over the Congo. Twain’s humor was often quite charming and witty, but he could use it to great effect when tackling political subjects he felt worthy of scathing criticism or denunciation. This is the latter. He is the premier commentator on life in America and the world: insightful, incisive, and wickedly funny.
May 17, 2021
w o w
I didn't know anything about this facet of Twain's politics... just happened to stumble across it on Librivox.
Topics covered include Europeans in China, Americans in China and the Philippines, Christian missionaries behaving shamefully (in China) and honorably (in the Belgian Congo). Twain doesn't dance around any of it.
"To the Person Sitting in Darkness," "To My Missionary Critics," and "A Defense of General Funston" would be fine options to add complexity to late 19th & early 20th century US History studies for most teens. They concentrate on American activities in east and southeast Asia at that time. (Note: "To My Missionary Critics" is a follow-up to "To the Person Sitting in Darkness.")
"King Leopold's Soliloquy" for 17yo+. This is less directly connected to the US, however Twain does point out our role in the establishment of that state & the power we had to influence the Belgians.
CW: don't read/listen to "King Leopold's Soliloquy" while eating.
I didn't know anything about this facet of Twain's politics... just happened to stumble across it on Librivox.
Topics covered include Europeans in China, Americans in China and the Philippines, Christian missionaries behaving shamefully (in China) and honorably (in the Belgian Congo). Twain doesn't dance around any of it.
"To the Person Sitting in Darkness," "To My Missionary Critics," and "A Defense of General Funston" would be fine options to add complexity to late 19th & early 20th century US History studies for most teens. They concentrate on American activities in east and southeast Asia at that time. (Note: "To My Missionary Critics" is a follow-up to "To the Person Sitting in Darkness.")
"King Leopold's Soliloquy" for 17yo+. This is less directly connected to the US, however Twain does point out our role in the establishment of that state & the power we had to influence the Belgians.
CW: don't read/listen to "King Leopold's Soliloquy" while eating.
January 25, 2024
Destaco 2 frases que retratan el espíritu independiente y liberal de Twain en esta colección:
1. «La mayoría siempre está equivocada. Cada vez que veas que estás del lado de la mayoría, será el momento de reformarte». Aunque leí, en las redes sociales, una paráfrasis mejorada que refleja mejor su criterio independiente: «Cuando te encuentres en el lado de la mayoría, es momento de hacer una pausa y reflexionar»
2. «Soy antiimperialista. Me opongo a que el águila clave sus garras en cualquier otra tierra». Como buen liberal clásico, se oponía al imperialismo.
1. «La mayoría siempre está equivocada. Cada vez que veas que estás del lado de la mayoría, será el momento de reformarte». Aunque leí, en las redes sociales, una paráfrasis mejorada que refleja mejor su criterio independiente: «Cuando te encuentres en el lado de la mayoría, es momento de hacer una pausa y reflexionar»
2. «Soy antiimperialista. Me opongo a que el águila clave sus garras en cualquier otra tierra». Como buen liberal clásico, se oponía al imperialismo.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
April 22, 2016
He de decir que en ocasiones la lectura es pesada debido a todas las referencias.Una reflexión a la que llegue y me gustaría externar es la libertad de expresión y prensa en EU en 1900, mientras que en México los periodistas eran asesinados bajo la ley fuga, creo que en esta situación vemos claramente la diferencia en cuanto a libertades entre uno y otro país.
Lee la reseña completa aquí: https://thevelvetbooks.wordpress.com/...
Lee la reseña completa aquí: https://thevelvetbooks.wordpress.com/...
June 22, 2016
This is a compilation of Mark Twains writings on the war in the Philippines and other military ventures of the late 19th and early 20th century. I honestly think that many of these passages could be used to describe current goings on in American politics and while not all of the selected works are created equal, the ones that resonate through history make the entire book worth the read. However, some of the passages are dated and will make this short collection drag at certain points.
December 4, 2017
Not all of these are anti-imperialist but some are outstanding essays. “King Leopold’s Soliloquy” immediately brings to mind Joseph Conrad’s “Heart of Darkness”. Conrad wrote his earlier though in 1899. It’s as if Twain was revealing the secrets of the darkness in Conrad’s novella. They are forbidding.
“To the Person Sitting in Darkness” tells the story of how US got involved in the Philippines. It wasn’t good for the Philipinos or the Americans.
“To the Person Sitting in Darkness” tells the story of how US got involved in the Philippines. It wasn’t good for the Philipinos or the Americans.
September 20, 2019
Es increíble como los eventos parecen repetirse constantemente, sólo cambian los protagonistas y el escenario. Francamente desconocía la postura antiimperialista de Mark Twain, debido a su tono ácido y sarcástico, la lectura es ágil y divertida. Desafortunadamente también es una lectura muy vigente, pues las situaciones que se comentan aun suceden en pleno siglo XXI.
March 20, 2015
Análisis de las injusticias sufridas en diversos paises a causa del capitalismo. Twain da sus opiniones al respecto, siempre con su característica sátira.
August 29, 2020
Good stuff.
Displaying 1 - 18 of 18 reviews