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Published Nov 6, 2020

The Pig War

Explore the bizarre yet pivotal Pig War, a near-conflict ignited by a pig dispute between the U.S. and Britain on San Juan Island, showcasing the absurdity of territorial disputes and the power of diplomacy in averting war.
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  • Pig Incident

    The Pig War, a peculiar conflict between the United States and Britain, was sparked by a seemingly trivial incident involving a pig. On June 15, 1859, American settler shot a pig belonging to , an Irishman working for the Hudson Bay Company, after finding it in his garden eating potatoes. This act of frustration over a wandering pig led to escalating tensions between the two nations. narrates the exchange between Cutler and Griffin, highlighting the absurdity of the situation:

    Your pig was eating my potatoes.

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    Griffin demanded $100 in compensation, but Cutler refused, arguing the pig was trespassing 1.

       

    Military Deployments

    The Pig War escalated as both American and British forces mobilized on San Juan Island, creating a tense military standoff. American settlers, fearing British authority, requested military support, leading to the deployment of Captain and his men. The British responded by sending naval forces, including the HMS Tribune, to the island. Despite the military buildup, neither side wanted to initiate conflict over such a trivial matter. reflects on the absurdity of the situation:

    Two great nations in a war over a squabble about a pig was ridiculous.

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    Ultimately, both governments ordered a stand-down, and the island was jointly occupied until a peaceful resolution was reached years later 2.

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