When Americans Became ‘Splendid Liberators’
From Angry Planet by Matthew Gault and Jason Fields
February 20, 2026 · 1h 5m
About this episode
The episode discusses the origins of the American myth of the 'good war' through the lens of the Spanish-American War and features journalist Joe Jackson.
America spent most of the 19th century at war with itself. It conquered its western expanse then collapsed into civil war. Once the North beat the South, partisan politics consumed the country for a generation. A string of assassinations, progressive firebrands, and civil service reforms burned people out on domestic politics and a bored and febrile nation began to search for meaning beyond its borders. It noticed the Spanish Empire was awfully close. In Splendid Liberators , award winning journalist Joe Jackson chronicles the beginning of the American myth of the “good war.” He’s on the show today to talk to us about Teddy Roosevelt, Mark Twain, and a general who lay in state at the Alamo. Recurring patterns in American history Roscoe Conkling jumpscare Remnants of the Spanish-American War in South Carolina What did liberty mean in the 19th century? Clara Barton, Leonard Wood and the dual American personality The first modern concentration camps The Battleship of Maine When Congress used to fight, physically Drones won’t win a war The US in the Philippines ‘The water cure’ American historians facing reality in the Philippines Teddy, finally Laying in state at the Alamo Buy…
People in this episode
Guest: Joe Jackson
Topics covered
- American history
- Spanish-American War
- liberty
- Teddy Roosevelt
- Mark Twain
Keywords
- civil war
- progressive reforms
- American politics
- concentration camps
- US in the Philippines
Mentioned in this episode
Products: The Battleship of Maine, water cure
Books & works: Splendid Liberators
Places: America, North, South, the Spanish Empire, South Carolina, Maine, US, Philippines
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