Final answer:
Mark Twain's critique of imperialism deepened over time, moving from subtle literature-based censure to direct condemnation of U.S. imperial policy, paralleling the nation’s own trajectory towards empire-building.
Step-by-step explanation:
Mark Twain’s views on imperialism evolved over time, reflecting growing distress over its consequences. Initially, Twain’s literature subtly criticized social hierarchies and slavery pre-Civil War without being vocally against it in public. Later, with the rise of imperialism in the United States, encapsulated by events such as the Spanish-American War and the annexation of territories like Hawaii, Twain became more outspoken against such policies. His writings began to reflect a sharp criticism of imperialism, seeing it as an extension of the same injustices he criticized within America. By analyzing the shift in his literature from subtle to direct criticism of imperialism, one can observe Twain’s growing realization of the destructive impacts of empire-building, not just within America’s borders but also abroad.