Poseidon's curse : British Naval impressment and Atlantic origins of the American Revolution

Poseidon's curse : British Naval impressment and Atlantic origins of the American Revolution

Cambridge : Cambridge University Press, 2016.

xiv, 335 p. ; 24 cm

973.35 M199 2016

(OCoLC)953981339

Poseidon's Curse' interprets the American Revolution from the vantage point of the Atlantic Ocean. Christopher P. Magra traces how British naval impressment played a leading role in the rise of Great Britain's seaborne empire, yet ultimately contributed significantly to its decline. Long reliant on appropriating free laborers to man the warships that defended British colonies and maritime commerce, the British severely jeopardized mariners' earning potential and occupational mobility, which led to deep resentment toward the British Empire. Magra explains how anger about impressment translated into revolutionary ideology, with impressment eventually occupying a major role in the Declaration of Independence as one of the foremost grievances Americans had with the British government--Provided by publisher.
Includes bibliographical references and index.
Contents: Part I. A seaborne empire in the Atlantic world. Seapower and commerce : an Atlantic minuet -- British naval impressment in the Atlantic world -- Part II. Resentment in the Atlantic world. Merchants and maritime profits -- Merchants and maritime property -- Merchants and Mare Liberum -- Mariners and maritime earnings -- Mariners and maritime employment -- Mariners and liberty -- Part III. Rebellion in North America. A spirit of rebellion -- Rebellious acts.
L2021M16
SOC Library acknowledged: p. x.

Library Catalog > Monographs > Modern books
All Cataloged Material
All records