Pig War (1859) facts for kids
The Pig War was a strange but true event in 1859. It was a disagreement between the U.S and Great Britain over who owned San Juan Island. This island is located right on the border between the two countries. Both British and American citizens lived there. The "war" got its name because it started when a pig was killed!
Contents
What Caused the Pig War?
For many years, the border between the United States and British North America (now Canada) was unclear. This was especially true around the islands in the Pacific Northwest. Both countries claimed San Juan Island. This made things tricky because people from both nations had settled there.
The Pig Incident
In 1859, an American farmer named Lyman Cutlar lived on San Juan Island. He was growing potatoes. A pig, owned by Charles Griffin, a British employee of the Hudson's Bay Company, often wandered onto Cutlar's farm. On June 15, 1859, the pig was eating Cutlar's potatoes again. Lyman Cutlar got angry and shot the pig.
A Standoff Begins
The pig's owner, Charles Griffin, was very upset. He complained to the British authorities. The British then threatened to arrest Lyman Cutlar. Cutlar asked for help from the American military. Soon, both the U.S. Army and the British Royal Navy sent soldiers and ships to the island.
No Shots Fired
Suddenly, there were hundreds of soldiers and several warships on and around San Juan Island. It looked like a real war might start over a pig! However, leaders on both sides understood how silly and dangerous this was. They gave strict orders for their troops not to fire first. For several weeks, American and British soldiers faced each other. They were ready for battle, but no one wanted to start a war.
How the War Ended
Both countries realized that a war over a pig was not a good idea. They decided to talk things out. General Winfield Scott, a respected American military leader, was sent to the island. He helped calm the situation. The two sides agreed to keep a small number of soldiers on the island. They would wait for a peaceful solution.
A Peaceful Solution
For the next 12 years, both American and British troops stayed on San Juan Island. They lived side-by-side without any more fighting. Finally, in 1872, the two countries asked Kaiser Wilhelm I of Germany to decide who owned the island. He was a neutral person, meaning he didn't favor either side.
The Final Decision
Kaiser Wilhelm I carefully reviewed all the facts. He decided that San Juan Island belonged to the United States. The British troops then left the island peacefully. This ended the "Pig War" without a single human life lost. It's a great example of how countries can solve problems without fighting.
Images for kids
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Vancouver's 1798 map, showing some confusion in the vicinity of southeastern Vancouver Island, the Gulf Islands, and Haro Strait
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A photograph of Belle Vue Sheep Farm Sep 1859 on San Juan Island circa the Pig War
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Watercolor of Belle Vue sheep farm San Juan Island at time of Pig War
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Modern view of Belle Vue sheep farm site and Olympic Mountains in the background
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The redoubt had a commanding view of San Juan Island's southern tip and the water approaches to the prairie from Griffin bay (left) and the Strait of Juan de Fuca
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Watercolor of US Army building Roberts Redoubt on San Juan Island
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Water color of American camp, San Juan Island
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American camp as it exists today
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Union Jack at the British camp in San Juan Island National Historical Park
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British troops evacuate San Juan Island
See also
In Spanish: Guerra del Cerdo para niños
