Writing on behalf of the oppressed

 

Title: Anti-Imperialist Writings

Author: Mark Twain

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Read by John Greenman (5 hr 11 min)

The book is a collection of essays, speeches, and reflections that reveal one of America’s most celebrated writers in his role as a social critic and political commentator. Written primarily in the late nineteenth and early twentieth centuries, these works demonstrate Twain’s fierce opposition to imperialism, colonialism, and foreign intervention, particularly by the United States. Twain, who had been widely recognized for his humor and storytelling, turned his wit and sharp tongue toward politics, exposing the hypocrisy and moral contradictions of imperial power.

Anti-Imperialist Writings brings together Twain’s writings during and after the Spanish-American War, when the United States acquired territories such as the Philippines, Puerto Rico, and Guam. Twain, once a supporter of the war under the impression that it was fought to liberate oppressed peoples, became disillusioned after witnessing how America quickly adopted the same oppressive practices of European colonial powers. His essays reflect his outrage at what he perceived as betrayal of American democratic ideals, turning liberation into conquest.

One of the central themes across these writings is Twain’s condemnation of the Philippine-American War. He argued that the United States had no moral right to subjugate the Filipino people, who had been struggling for self-determination. Twain exposed the brutal tactics used by American soldiers, such as torture and massacres, and described them as indistinguishable from the atrocities committed by old-world empires. His irony and sarcasm often underscored the absurdity of justifying domination under the guise of civilization and progress.

Twain also criticized the close ties between imperialism and organized religion. In his view, missionaries and church leaders too often served as apologists for colonial aggression, blessing military campaigns and promoting cultural superiority over indigenous peoples. He saw this as a profound betrayal of Christian teachings, transforming religion into a tool of empire rather than a force of compassion.

The writings also reflect Twain’s broader philosophy on liberty and justice. He believed that freedom should not be reserved for a select few but extended universally, regardless of race, geography, or political alignment. His reflections frequently tied the struggle of colonized peoples to America’s own revolutionary history, reminding readers that the United States itself was born out of resistance against imperial control. For Twain, to deny others the right to self-governance was to abandon the very principles on which America was founded.

Stylistically, the collection shows Twain at his most biting and direct. He employed satire, parody, and exaggeration to ridicule politicians, military leaders, and corporate interests who benefited from imperial expansion. At the same time, he used plain, forceful language to make his moral stance unmistakably clear. His writings were not only political commentaries but also literary works that demonstrated how humor could serve as a weapon against injustice.

Anti-Imperialist Writings remains relevant because it captures the tension between national power and moral responsibility, a debate that continues in modern geopolitics. Twain’s insistence on exposing uncomfortable truths, his refusal to remain silent in the face of popular enthusiasm for empire, and his unyielding defense of human dignity all give the book enduring significance. It reveals a side of Mark Twain that goes beyond storytelling, showing him as a public intellectual committed to justice on a global scale.

Overall, the book presents a compelling portrait of Twain as a writer deeply engaged with the political questions of his time. Through these essays, readers see how he used his fame and literary skill to challenge prevailing attitudes, criticize his government, and speak on behalf of the oppressed. It is both a historical document of America’s imperial age and a timeless statement on the dangers of power without conscience.

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