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 * __Mark Twain __**


 * __Occupation: __**Also known as Samuel Langhorne Clemens, Mark Twain found his love for writing when he joined his brother Orion's newspaper as a printer and editorial assistant. He was 15 at the time. When Twain turned 17, he left for a printer’s job in St. Louis where he then also became a river pilot. After the Civil brought a standstill to the trade industry and his river piloting slowed down, Mark Twain then began working as a newspaper reporter for multiple newspapers all over the United States. By working with writing and newspapers for practically his entire life, it influenced his future in becoming an author. In1865, Mark Twain really began to gain fame with his writings of "The Celebrated Jumping Frog of Calavaras County" appeared in the New York Saturday Press. In addition, between the years 1869-1885, Twain published 28 books and numerous short stories, letters, and sketches. His works will forever be remembered, as well as his contribution to our nations' history.


 * __Position on Issue: __** Mark Twain was an anti-imperialist regarding the issue of the Philippine Annexation. Although not always, at a time he supported imperialism. Twain thought that it would be a good idea to help the Filipinos who had suffered for three centuries. He wanted to make them as free as the United States, give them a government and a country of their own. He thought that by expanding, it would give a piece of the Constitution to the Pacific, and start a new republic to take its place among the nations of the world. He thought about it more, while reading the Treaty of Paris and came to the conclusion that the United States did not intend on freeing the people of the Philippians, but instead subjugate and conquer them. This therefore changed his perspective on the controversial issue of annexing the Philippines. As an anti-imperialist, he thought that the United States should act as a protector to the Filipinos, not try to force them under our wings. He believed in relieving them from the Spanish tyranny and then enable them to create their own government. The United States, in his mind, should only be there to help them put a foot in the right direction and make a strong start in their government. It was not to be a government according to the United States' ideas, but one represented by the majority of the Filipinos, a government according to their ideas.

-Mark Twain was a writer for multiple newspapers across the United States which resulted in his knowledge of current events that were important to the people reading the newspapers. To keep the support for the newspapers, Twain had to write about subjects that interested the public. These topics specifically involved controversial issues, including the issue of annexing the Philippines. -Since Mark Twain was a famous and a reliable individual, he was forced into the stream of publication on his opinions with multiple issues. Newspapers from all over the Country questioned Twain for his opinions and reasoning regarding the issue of annexation and imperialism. These newspapers included that of the //Chicago Tribune//, the //New York Tribune//, and the //New York Herald//. By publicizing his opinions, it influenced many fellow Americans into siding with the anti-imperialisms.
 * __List of Reasons for Interest in Topic: __**


 * __References: __**Joseph Pulitzer, George S. Boutwell, and W.E.B. DuBois
 * __Bibliography __**

"Mark Twain on Imperialism - HistoryWiz primary source Imperialism." //HistoryWiz: for students, teachers and lovers of history//. N.p., n.d. Web. 8 Nov. 2011. <[]>

"Mark Twain." //The Official Website of Mark Twain//. Estate of Mark Twain, n.d. Web. 8 Nov. 2011. <[]>

Titta, R.. "Mark Twain and the Onset of the Imperialist Period Imperialist Period." //Internationalist Group -- Reforge the Fourth International!//. N.p., n.d. Web. 8 Nov. 2011. <[]>