The Pig War Escalation

The chapter delves into the escalating tensions between American and British forces on San Juan Island over a dead pig, leading to a comical arms race involving naval drills and fortifications. Despite the small size of the island, both sides amassed significant military force, with the dispute eventually catching the attention of the US government and British officials in Washington DC. The chapter discusses the tense political climate during the Cold War era and reflects on the absurdity of a potential war starting over a pig between the United States and Britain.