Adding to Hal's remarks, Twain's views on imperialism evolved over time and 
they were made complex by his personal loyalties and personal hatreds of 
those on the other side, his need to preserve his public persona (and 
income), and a host of other factors. Besides Susan Harris's excellent GOD'S 
ARBITERS, I can also suggest Zwonitzer's STATESMAN AND STORYTELLER (MT and 
John Hay), McFarland's MARK TWAIN AND THE COLONEL (MT & Teddy Roosevelt), 
Kinzer's THE TRUE FLAG (MT & Teddy Roosevelt), and Bliss's MARK TWAIN'S TALE 
OF TODAY. And now you may add to the list some of the chapters from Kerry 
Driscoll's superb book. All of these post-Jim Zwick studies throw light on 
Twain's changing views on imperialism. I think I probably nit-picked each of 
them in MT Forum reviews, but I recommend reading all of them.

It's tempting to simplify Twain's views on race, religion, politics, Native 
Americans, and imperialists, but his views were not simple, and consistency 
was not a hobgoblin of Twain's mind. Not only is there nothing wrong with 
complexity or contradictions, but they often combine into something that 
resides in close proximity to truth, and I suspect that is the reason so 
many of us are drawn back to Twain's writings. They are like a tide that 
never goes out, so we linger by the shore waiting for the next prize to wash 
our way.

Kevin
@
Mac Donnell Rare Books
9307 Glenlake Drive
Austin TX 78730
512-345-4139
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-----Original Message----- 
From: Hal Bush
Sent: Monday, October 08, 2018 8:24 AM
To: [log in to unmask]
Subject: Re: Indians, Indians and Imperialism

Regarding MT & his so-called " life-long dislike of
imperialism":  not so much. His eyes were opened pretty late on that issue,=
I think.


Twain changed his tune pretty significantly about the Phillippines, for ins=
tance, during the debacle there in the 1890s.  I am among those who have wr=
itten about Twain's view of imperialism and his radical change of view, but=
post-Jim Zwick, I would especially mention Sue Harris's excellent book on =
the topic.  The Anti-Imperialist League wasn't even founded until 1898.


-hb






Dr. Hal Bush

Dept. of English

Saint Louis University

[log in to unmask]

314-977-3616

http://halbush.com

author website:  halbush.com

________________________________
From: Mark Twain Forum <[log in to unmask]> on behalf of Scott Holmes <scott@=
BSCOTTHOLMES.COM>
Sent: Sunday, October 7, 2018 5:33:24 PM
To: [log in to unmask]
Subject: Indians, Indians and Imperialism

While working on my Twain's Geography site, currently his tour of
India, I frequently reference Ian Strathcarron's book, "The Indian
Equator". =C2 There is a footnote that reminded me of the recent thread on
Twain and Native Americans but also of Twain's feelings about
Imperialism:

"Many Mark Twain enthusiasts have commented on his life-long dislike of
imperialism and the resultant puffed-up vanity of colonialism. The one
exception to this rule was the jewel in the crown of imperialism, the
British Raj reign of India. Not only did he forgive the British for
their incursion but on numerous occasions pointed out how beneficial it
was to the natives; how lucky they were to have the British to rule
over them."

This is footnoted, thus:

"He felt something similar about the British treatment of Indians
closer to home. In Johannesburg, South Africa, he said: 'Look at the
difference between the position of the Canadian Indians and the Indians
with whom the United States government has to deal. In Canada the
Indians are peaceful and contented enough. In the United States there
are continual rows with the government, which invariably ends in the
red man being shot down.'=E2=80=9D

Here are two instances that stand in contrast to our general
understanding of Twain - he appears to approve of
imperialism/colonialism; and, he appears sympathetic to Native
Americans.



--
There are more things in heaven and earth, Horatio, than are dreamt of
                          in your philosophy.
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