Poseidon's curse : British Naval impressment and Atlantic origins of the American Revolution / Christopher P. Magra.

Author
Magra, Christopher Paul [Browse]
Format
Book
Language
English
Published/​Created
  • Cambridge, United Kingdom : Cambridge University Press, 2016.
  • ©2016
Description
xiv, 335 pages ; 24 cm

Availability

Available Online

Copies in the Library

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Firestone Library - Stacks E271 .M19 2016 Browse related items Request

    Details

    Subject(s)
    Summary note
    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.
    Bibliographic references
    Includes bibliographical references and index.
    Contents
    • Introduction
    • 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
    • Conclusion.
    ISBN
    • 9781107112148 ((hardcover))
    • 1107112141 ((hardcover))
    OCLC
    953981339
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