Overview on Mark Twain’s Anti-Imperialism
Mark Twain, perhaps one of the most famous American writers of all time, was an articulate opponent of imperial rule. He was a fierce critic of America’s imperial ambitions and wrote with great insight and satire against imperialism during the Spanish-American War. Mark Twain opposed imperialism not just because of the violence and cruelty associated with imperialism, but also because of the hypocrisy and greed imparted by the ruling powers. In this article we will delve into the factors that fuel Mark Twain’s anti-imperialism.
American Imperialism
Mark Twain was an avid and outspoken critic of the American imperial system. To him, the American imperial system was a force of domination and oppression that harmed the native populations under its rule and fostered corrupt and exploitative regimes. He thought that imperialism was an unwise and inexcusable policy of occupation and subjugation, primarily driven by economic and political motivations.
In his famous novel The War Prayer, Mark Twain wrote scathing and damning language against the imperial system, arguing that empires and occupying forces could never be justified as necessary or beneficial, as they are often cloaked in phony piety and righteous language. Whether it was Spain dominating Cuba or America dominating the Philippines, Twain argued that imperialism was nothing more than an idea of dominating and conquering other people for their resources and the power it gave to the ruling nations.
Violence and Oppression
Mark Twain’s opposition to imperialism was also driven by his concern for the violence, cruelty, and injustice committed by imperialists. He highlighted the hypocrisy of imperialist powers calling for freedom, democracy and justice, yet committing multiple injustices in the name of domination and exploitation. Twain also believed that the imposition of foreign rule would be detrimental to native populations, who would be subjected to horrific violence and subjugation.
In his essay To the Person Sitting in Darkness Twain argued passionately against U.S. imperial rule in the Philippines, claiming that the idea that U.S. rule would be any better than Spanish rule was a fallacy. He wrote of the oppressive and tyrannical treatment of the Filipinos by American forces, noting that the same were not justifiable even if they were nicknamed ‘civilizing missions’.
Rationalizing Imperialism
In Twain’s eyes, imperial powers used various arguments to justify their imperial rule. They argued that imperialism would bring about the spread of civilization and Christianity, the promotion of free commerce, philanthropic education, and human rights. Yet, beneath these grand promises was an imperial agenda intended to enslave and oppress weaker people for their own gain.
Twain also felt that imperial rule distorted the relationship between the rulers and the ruled by creating an exploitative colonial power structure, under which the bureaucracy, government, and military institutions were used to strengthen imperial control. This power structure imposed on native populations a top-down authority which resulted in great suffering and resentment, something Twain found inexcusable.
Hypocritical Policies
Mark Twain was especially concerned by the hypocrisy of imperialist policies. He was well aware of how those in powerful positions often used grandiose language and lofty ideals to mask their own greed while oppressing those they were supposed to liberate. Twain highlighted the ludicrousness of imperialist powers calling for free trade and free markets while engaging in the coercive tactics such as forced labor and violent suppression of uprisings.
In a speech delivered in 1905, Twain warned about the danger of hypocrisy in imperial policies, emphasizing that folly and folly alone could justify imperialism. He argued that no civilization that seeks to oppress and exploit other people can be considered civilized. Twain also castigated the cold-heartedness which many imperialist leaders displayed, claiming that their lack of empathy was just another element of the hypocrisy of imperial rule.
Economic Interests
The economic interests implicit in the imperialist agenda were another major concern of Twain. He revealed how imperial powers were driven by the greed of their leaders and sought to expand their territories and gain their resources without consideration of the interests or rights of those they were controlling.
Twain noted how imperial powers often sought to drain resources from their territories and push local populations into labor camps. He felt this was a way for powerful nations to propagate poverty and misery and maintain their global hegemony. Twain also highlighted how imperial powers sought to maintain control over their colonies through abusive taxation, import tariffs, and other oppressive economic policies.
The Way Forward
Despite his deep-seated objections to imperialism, Twain did not ignore the practical aspects of imperial policy. He understood that path to a less imperialistic world was a difficult one, as powerful nations often held to their imperialist policies for a variety of reasons. To Twain, the solution lay in harnessing the power of the people and in helping them to understand the realities of imperialism, so they could fight against it with knowledge and courage.
A Vision of Sovereignty
To Twain, there was no substitute for true sovereignty, which meant the right to choose one’s destiny without outside domination. He argued that this should not require compromise or negotiation, but should be accepted as an inalienable right. Twain also believed that if properly guided, the power of the people and the advancement of education and human rights could chip away at the foundations of imperialism.
Criticizing a Culture of Silence
Twain was highly critical of the culture of silence surrounding imperialist policies, which allowed imperialists to evade criticism and accountability for their actions. In this regard, he suggested that the international community should be more outspoken and should be willing to stand up for the rights of the oppressed. Twain argued that international pressure can be a useful tool in curtailing imperial powers, and in allowing the rights of the people to be respected.
Conclusion
Mark Twain’s anti-imperialism was a reaction to the brutal and oppressive systems of domination implemented by occupying powers. From his perspective, imperialism was often hypocritical and driven by greed and ambition, rather than a genuine desire to spread civilization or democracy. Twain believed that in order to truly liberate the people, imperialism had to be challenged and its proponents should be held accountable for their actions.
