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

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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.

[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

[johnnybates]

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.

[davidmandziuk]

Imagine having him as your High School History Teacher.

[michael]

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?

[EbonKim]

Another great lecture! Loving this channel!

[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!

[mtdavis]

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.

[huskybrwn]

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.

[gregorygarcia]

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

[sidDkid]

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

[nelsongonzalez]

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

[Hallicj]

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

[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.

[TheMoofy]

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...

[fairfeatherfiend]

"They admire us", well, not anymore.

[michaeljoseph]

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

[siamcharm]

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

[siamcharm]

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

[GoodmanMIke]

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?

[camilodiaz]

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