Stephen Kinzer ─ The True Flag: Theodore Roosevelt, Mark Twain, and the Birth of American Empire

Skip ahead to main speaker at 4:51
Stephen Kinzer presents his new book, The True Flag: Theodore Roosevelt, Mark Twain, and the Birth of American Empire.
How should the United States act in the world? Americans cannot decide. Sometimes we burn with righteous anger, launching foreign wars and deposing governments. Then we retreat―until the cycle begins again.
No matter how often we debate this question, none of what we say is original. Every argument is a pale shadow of the first and greatest debate, which erupted more than a century ago. Its themes resurface every time Americans argue whether to intervene in a foreign country.
Revealing a piece of forgotten history, Stephen Kinzer transports us to the dawn of the twentieth century, when the United States first found itself with the chance to dominate faraway lands. That prospect thrilled some Americans. It horrified others. Their debate gripped the nation.
The country’s best-known political and intellectual leaders took sides. Theodore Roosevelt, Henry Cabot Lodge, and William Randolph Hearst pushed for imperial expansion; Mark Twain, Booker T. Washington, and Andrew Carnegie preached restraint. Only once before―in the period when the United States was founded―have so many brilliant Americans so eloquently debated a question so fraught with meaning for all humanity.
All Americans, regardless of political perspective, can take inspiration from the titans who faced off in this epic confrontation. Their words are amazingly current. Every argument over America’s role in the world grows from this one. It all starts here.
Introduction by Richard M. Locke, Brown University Provost.

[@davidmandziuk8493]

Imagine having him as your High School History Teacher.

[@salvadorvizcarra769]

Here is this writing on the History of an Economic Blockade, which is NOT taught in US schools: "The Economic Blockade that United States imposed on Cuba, and which has been uninterrupted for more than 60 years, is product of the revenge of Dulles brothers against Fidel Castro, as a result of Castro expropriating the United Fruit Company (UFCO), more than 100,000 hectares of cultivation (Sugar Cane). Allen Dulles (CIA Director), and his brother John Foster Dulles (US Secretery of State), were a shareholder in UFCO, and were on the payroll for more than 30 years. Both bros. demanded payment from Cuban gov’t for the land expropriated at ridiculously high amount, when United Fruit Co. had obtained these large estates for $7 dollars per hectare and demanded compensation for $6,800 dollars per hectare. Castro was also asked to pay the cost of hotels, houses and casinos owned by the New York mafia and other figures of high politics in the US. As Cuba does not pay, the Economic Blockade continues. “If we can't assassinate Castro, let's assassinate his economy”. Now, 12 Presidents have passed in the White House, and the Blockade continues. Castro, Dulles Bros., Kennedy, LBJ and all that generation have already died; they are no longer here. And the Economic Blockade continues. Why? Why, if Castro NEVER affected the interests of the US people. Castro affected the interests of the New York Mafia, the UFCO and the interests of the Dulles Brothers. The Castro Gov't affected the interests some companies (6 companies), that conspired to assassinate him, but not affected the US People. (It would be an example to say that Mexico imposed an Economic Block on the US, cuz the US Gov’t confiscated properties from “El Chapo”, or from the Mexican Drug Trafficking Cartels). Castro never seized property from US citizens. Castro only seized the property of the New York Mafia. So, why? If perhaps the reason for the Blockade was cuz Castro was an ally of USSR, well, USSR has not existed for 33 years either. Then why? What is the reason for continuing with this Economic Blockade against Cuba? The answer to these questions, in any case, would be: "Cuz a dark power within the US wants to impose itself in Cuba, violating its sovereignty, in the same way that it has done and continues to do so throughout the world with the weakest nations". No common citizen of the US has anything against the Cuban people, but a certain sector of the government's high politics does. Now, If you want to know about the atrocities and massacres of the UFCO and the CIA in Chile, Venezuela, Peru, Colombia, the Caribbean and Central America, consult Wikipedia: “Wars of the Banana Republics”. (From Stephen Kinzer book: “The Brothers”). Write the latter that appears in parentheses, and verify this information right here on KZbin. Or, do the same and search for it on Google.

[@maxheadrom3088]

@@salvadorvizcarra769 The continuation of the blockade is the result of the Dulles borothers revenge but not only. The blockade started, however, during Baptista's government because Eisenhower was wooried about the excessive violence on the part of the Cuban dictator. The blockade was only against weapon's import, though. ... well ... in a way the text is not incorrect since the wider economic blockade - like we understand it - started after Castro. I've been to Cuba - it's a wonderful country and very nice and sympathetic people! Castro deserves much of the critiscism he receives but I'm sure that even during the hardest periods of the Communist regime were much much better for the people if compared to the Baptista period. The evil the Dulles brothers created is still with us - making it acceptable the use of State power to act internationally to protect private American interests. It's been causing huge destruction both in the target nations and inside the US.

[@johnnybates7580]

When I'm about to debate someone on foreign policy I ask them if they've every heard of Stephen Kinzer. If they haven't, then I know I've aldready won the debate.

[@barquerojuancarlos7253]

and the book he coauthored with Stephen Schlesinger "Bitter Fruit" - about the Guatemalan coup - the very first book in English i read on US foreign policy

[@cindylacy]

I’m starting to buy all of Kinzer’s books. I’ve learned more about US history with him than I ever did in school

[@michael511128]

The sophistication and depth of US professors match those of politicians. I have read Bitter Fruit, Overthrow, and Brothers. This was a 2017 video. In 2021 a lot has changed. The world is rapidly shifting towards China which is the top trading country in the world by far. It offers the most diverse and complete business selections or opportunities. It also possesses the biggest or richest consumer market that other countries want to sell products to. Businesses around the world are seeking deals in China with cash in hand. It is true that many populations around the world admire the US or used to admire or pretended to. But those often came from standardized English education using American school books and other media propaganda in daily lives; advertisements and movies play some major roles. At present, more and more Americans are cut off from current information by their own people. People around the world watch the US in 2020 for all the excitements, it was difficult or impossible for them to explain to their kids why Americans pray to God to kill virus and wore no mask, why shooters shot people, why do they like to live in tents?

[@maxheadrom3088]

His books are for American readers because, indeed, they know very little history. I did a semester of High School in the US and had the best history teacher I ever had on an advanced American History class. I think I was really lucky, though.

[@louisfry5920]

What a fantastic speaker!

[@GoodmanMIke59]

What a fantastic speaker? Now decide if he was right. In 2017 he's calling Trump names, and this guy is trusting Russia. Under Trump? No new Wars in Trump's four years, and in 2022 Ukraine invaded Russia, all under Biden. Trump wasn't perfect, but no new wars, energy Independence. You can thank me now.

[@JosephPAbate]

what if we use the term "self-determinists" instead of "anti-imperialists" that seems to have a positive connotation and a ring of freedom in it!

[@mtdavis9568]

Barbara Tuchman in her book "The Proud Tower" brushed on the political split over American Imperialism in her chapter on Speaker of the house Thomas Reed, who introduced many reforms -but could not push back the tidal wave of Popular sentiment towards American Empire. They should make a Movie about Reed.

[@EbonKim]

Another great lecture! Loving this channel!

[@michaeljoseph3528]

This analysis of U. S. Imperialism is dangerously close to the same racial supremacy which was the impetus for the doctrine of discovery.

[@booknerd369]

He's an amazing lecturer

[@huskybr0wn]

This covid19 pandemic got me interested in reading about Philippine history and specifically Baguio City history. I'm so thankful for your lecture and book. Currently, I am now looking into your referring to John Hay as "Hashish Johnny". A former US military hill station here in Baguio City is named after him - Camp John Hay.

[@sidDkid87]

1:16:24 … *”How Did the poison get in the wine?!?”* ☠️ 🍷

[@GoodmanMIke59]

28:17 McKinley had to square this circle but he should also be remembered as the last Civil War veteran President? ... I grew up in New York, have lived in North Carolina since 1989. Down here the people call the Civil War, the "War of Northern Aggression?" ... What, then, was the March down South except an imperialist expansion of Northern Industrial Imperial Expansionism?

[@gregorygarcia7807]

I will continue to study what I can by this author. What's available.

[@matthewperry5121]

Awsome

[@edgarvillarrealm.d2261]

Thanks 🇨🇴👍😎👋🏼

[@nelsongonzalez4533]

Singapore and Hong Kong are the Spring board of the British Empire and now the big corporations to the Chinese market and beyond

[@siamcharm7904]

the nyt is now beating the drums for a great war in asia.

[@sidDkid87]

4:48 … you’re welcome

[@TheMoofy8]

Twain and Tesla were good friends apparently, and Twain partook of some of Tesla's healing inventions....also, Kinzer has not addressed Britain's overall continuing steerage of American imperialism...

[@carolfalcon4013]

prophetic

[@fairfeatherfiend]

"They admire us", well, not anymore.

[@michaeljoseph3528]

How could it be so much fun being. an apologist of genocide?

[@fairfeatherfiend]

If you didn't know Mark Twain was bitter, you never knew Mark Twain. This is the guy who wrote "Running for governor" and "One million pound bank note". Twain said democracy was where the people with gold trumpets get to vote by blowing on it. If you don't have a gold trumpet, tough.

[@jacintochua6885]

Exceptionalism in the 1800s

[@siamcharm7904]

we are today doing to china what we did to cuba.

[@d.ingram6264]

I thought we were doing it to the Democrats Party😂🤣😂

[@camilodiaz215]

We, are you part of the 1%? Why not separate them…

[@Hallicj]

Meet Stephen Kinzer #author of THE TRUE FLAG #MarkTwain @TheHalliCJShow goo.gl/6MxqcK

[@nelsongonzalez4533]

Warmongers! Relax 😉 be cool!

[@curbozerboomer1773]

Well....Kinzer's point about American compassion leading to war, is not happening in Ukraine, right?....I gues the advent of nikes has rendered his observations a little bit passe.

[@d.ingram6264]

Hate the way he implied that all reports on suffering in the world is just fake news used for manipulation of our compassion Extremely irresponsible comment

[@76blackwidow]

I can't with that mouth smacking.. 🤢

[@gregorygarcia7807]

I had been glued to this until he butchered two movies with a single misattribution of one movie line. This is what true americans have had to deal with as a misrepresentation of the sentiment of actual personal independence. What is ONE to do? Get it straight!