The US-Canada border fight over a pig
Summary
Host Matt Bevan and guest Mark Fennell discuss the 1859 Pig War, a border dispute where a shot pig nearly triggered a conflict between the US and the British Empire. The episode details how an unresolved treaty regarding San Juan Island led to escalating military tensions, involving warships and thousands of troops. It concludes with the diplomatic resolution by General Winfield Scott and the eventual arbitration by Kaiser Wilhelm I, who awarded the island to the United States.
Topics discussed
Intro: ABC News Daily and If You're Listening
Introduction to the 1859 Pig War
Geography of the US-Canada border and islands
Historical context: Treaty disputes and Hans Island
Hudson's Bay Company sheep and initial tensions
Characters: Charles Griffin and Lyman Cutler
The shooting of the pig and immediate aftermath
Military escalation: Warships and artillery
Stalemate and the arrival of Captain Hornby
Resolution: Winfield Scott and joint occupation
Arbitration by Kaiser Wilhelm I
Lessons on unresolved disputes and modern parallels
Tangent: The Australian Emu War
Outro and teaser for next episode
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