The US once allowed citizens to claim any island that had bird/bat poop for the US (1 Viewer)

[Ahsoka]

Called the Guano Island Act of 1856, this act gave US citizens the right to claim any island rich with guano (accumulated seabird and bat excrement), provided that the island was not already part of another country or under the jurisdiction of another country. The reason for this act was that starting in the 1840s, guano became a very highly prized fertilizer, to the point that the US was importing around 760,000 metric tons of it yearly. It was also used to make gunpowder. The US gained over 100 islands through this act, though most claims have been withdrawn since. There remain 10 islands still considered part of the US gained through this act, with the last claim being made in 1997. However, some of these claims are disputed with other countries.

 

[Ahsoka]

History tag:
@Lexie @Nyaz @Dreamer_of_Songs @Nina @velvet @AuGamer1987 @ChuuAntics @alo @sick

 

[centen]

I guess they had a reason, but ew.

 

[athenaaa]

Well thats shitty

 

[Selfmate]

to shit or not to shit

that is the question

 

[Dreamer_of_Songs]

What a way to mark the territory

 

[StirFriedPanda]

Wait... the US randomly declared we could take what ever we want? Must be the British in us.

 

[Ahsoka]

Wait... the US randomly declared we could take what ever we want? Must be the British in us.

Not absolutely everything. There has to be a lot of bird poop on it too

 

[StirFriedPanda]

Not absolutely everything. There has to be a lot of bird poop on it too

Atleast the British had higher standards. They wanted gold, jewels, art and relics. We wanted shit. Our choice in president suddenly makes a lot of sense.

 

[LoveYooShaSha]

Atleast the British had higher standards. They wanted gold, jewels, art and relics. We wanted shit.

.....

Thinking about it, claiming (is-)land with gold, jewels, art n relics(valuables coveted by other countries) leads to war or at the least negotiations/concessions/arbitration or conflict: Claiming poop islands might just lead to other countries saying "Those guys are crazy, just let em hv the poop islands". Win-win scenario for guano-scarce country needing fertiliser!

I first learned about US guano act by watching a youtube video on it awhile back. Did not know/notice as recently as 1997 having claimed poop island!

 

[Ahsoka]

Thinking about it, claiming (is-)land with gold, jewels, art n relics(valuables coveted by other countries) leads to war or at the least negotiations/concessions/arbitration or conflict: Claiming poop islands might just lead to other countries saying "Those guys are crazy, just let em hv the poop islands". Win-win scenario for guano-scarce country needing fertiliser!

I first learned about US guano act by watching a youtube video on it awhile back. Did not know/notice as recently as 1997 having claimed poop island!

Apparently the US decided it already owns the 1997 island. Haiti also says it owns it though

 

[StirFriedPanda]

Apparently the US decided it already owns the 1997 island. Haiti also says it owns it though

Pretty sure Haiti couldn't come up with food to get to the island let alone stop the US from taking it's shit. Sorry, I'm such a jerk... I'll see myself out.

 

[dark_tranquility]

diarrhea from the skies~