On Top Of The World

In this episode, Matt and I chat with Niklas Frykman about the Age of Revolutions! We start by discussing life on an 18th century ship (including a mention of the Diligent by Robert Harms), impressment, cosmopolitan sailors, and why Master and Commander might not qualify as a documentary. We then shift our focus to the Age of Revolutions as a unit in world history, and why it should begin with slave revolts in the Caribbean (like Tacky’s Revolt in Jamaica in 1760) and Pontiac’s War in the American colonies rather than the Enlightenment. Finally, Niklas’ research, including the mutiny on the Hermione and the 1797 Spithead mutinies, takes center stage as we debate what motivates mutineers (for a different perspective, see the Stuff You Missed in History Class podcast on the Batavia), and whether life at sea creates a novel sense of community among sailors. Recommendations are:Dave – McNeill, Mosquito EmpiresNiklas – Serna, “Every Revolution is a War for Independence” from The French Revolution in Global Perspec