Historians have long maintained that the rise of the British empire brought an end to the great age of piracy; turning the once violent Atlantic frontier into a locus of orderly commerce by 1730. In this book; Guy Chet reassesses that view by documenting the persistence of piracy; smuggling; and other forms of illegal trade throughout the eighteenth century despite ongoing governmental campaigns to stamp it out. The failure of the Royal Navy to police oceanic trade reflected the state's limited authority and legitimacy at port; in the courts; and in the hearts and minds of Anglo-American constituents.Chet shows how the traditional focus on the growth of the modern state overlooked the extent to which old attitudes and cultural practices continued to hold sway. Even as the British government extended its naval; legal; and bureaucratic reach; in many parts of the Atlantic world illegal trade was not only tolerated but encouraged. In part this was because Britain's constabulary command of the region remained more tenuous than some have suggested; and in part because maritime insurance and wartime tax policies ensured that piracy and smuggling remained profitable. When Atlantic piracy eventually waned in the early nineteenth century; it had more to do with a reduction in its profitability at port than with forceful confrontation at sea.Challenging traditional accounts that chronicle forces of civilization taming a wild Atlantic frontier; this book is a valuable addition to a body of borderlands scholarship reevaluating the relationship between the emerging modern state and its imperial frontiers.
#718491 in Books 2015-10-27Original language:EnglishPDF # 1 8.40 x .90 x 5.60l; .0 #File Name: 1620970147256 pages
Review
3 of 4 people found the following review helpful. An Inspiring Read!By Sanjeev SriramDeeps Iyer puts fantastic spotlights on individuals and communities across America who are actively pursuing the more perfect Union our country should represent. She shares truthful histories of tragedy and triumph; and brilliantly discusses how modern everyday South Asians; Arabs; Muslims; and Sikhs can transform American realities. There is no single approach for success; and Ms. Iyer explores the complexities of causes; identity; and activism that all of us as "brown folks" (my term; not hers) encounter. I'm fired up and eager to engage in more social justice movements after reading this.1 of 2 people found the following review helpful. This book really helped me understand the history and continuing ...By Chelsea JohnsonThis book really helped me understand the history and continuing reality of personal and structural discrimination against South Asian; Arab; Muslim; and Sikh people in the U.S. Deepa Iyer's combination of historical fact (e.g. U.S. security and immigration policies) and their intersections in real people's lives made for a powerful call to action on behalf of all concerned parties to organize for justice. I felt both educated and impassioned with a sense of urgency to take steps to defeat white supremacy; although it benefits me personally; to ensure a safe and prosperous environment for everyone in our community.2 of 4 people found the following review helpful. An essential read--By jennifer stollmanDeepa Iyer 's book; We Too Sing America is the best book for better; comprehensive; and more nuanced understandings underscored by important solid qualitative and quantitative data; on South Asian; Arab; Muslim and Sikh immigrants and how these great American populations must be included in our thoughts; policies; actions; and empathies if we are to achieve American aspirations such as equality; equity; freedom; and truly value the greatness of these individuals and cultures to our own professional; community; and personal lives.
