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The island that almost started the war between the Americans and the British over a... pig  

2022-09-14 19:42:29Lifestyle SHKRUAR NGA REDAKSIA VOX
The island that almost started the war between the Americans and the British
San Juan Island

San Juan Island, located northwest of Washington and off the Canadian coast, is known for its diverse ecosystem and above all for the rare orcas that swim in the surrounding waters. However, it is hard to believe that in this isolated corner of the USA, in 1859, the British and Americans almost went to war... over a dead pig, writes the BBC.

The problem started from a border dispute. In 1846, the Oregon Treaty established the 49th parallel as the official boundary between British and American territories in the Pacific Northwest, but made an exception for Vancouver Island, which was allowed to remain British. But since the waters of the Salish Sea contained many small islands, problems began. San Juan Island suddenly found itself at the epicenter of a serious diplomatic crisis.

However, life on the island continued. Agriculture took off in 1853 when the British Hudson's Bay Company set up a sheep farm, with the aim of gaining ground in the region and thwarting American claims. But within five years, many Americans began demanding rights to graze their cattle—claims that the British considered illegal.

Tensions continued until June 15, 1859, when a colonel shot a pig he found foraging in his garden. The animal belonged to the British, who were so outraged by the incident that they threatened to deport the Americans en masse, who immediately sought military protection. The British responded by sending three warships to the area and starting military training. Thus began a tense military situation and the two great powers were very close to starting a war. 

When news of the "Pig War" reached Washington in October 1859, the American president, Buchanan, sent several high-ranking emissaries to end the dispute. Their arrival helped to ease tensions and military action was eventually averted, with a cease-fire being reached.

After 1859, the Americans and British bargained for more than a decade to find a satisfactory solution to the border dispute. Kaiser Wilhelm of Germany was appointed as mediator and invited to choose between two different sea channels as the possible border: the Strait of Haro preferred by the Americans, or the Strait of Rosario preferred by the British. In the end, he opted for Haro Strait, and in September 1872 the British marines left, after San Juan Island was peacefully surrendered to the United States.

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