Liberty on the Waterfront: American Maritime Culture in the Age of Revolution (Early American Studies)

Through careful research and colorful accounts, historian Paul A. Gilje discovers what liberty meant to an important group of common men in American society, those who lived and worked on the waterfront and aboard ships. In the process he reveals that the idealized vision of liberty associated with the Founding Fathers had a much more immediate and complex meaning than previously thought. In __Liberty on the Waterfront: American Maritime Culture in the Age of Revolution__, life aboard warships, merchantmen, and whalers, as well as the interactions of mariners and others on shore, is recreated in absorbing detail. Describing the important contributions of sailors to the resistance movement against Great Britain and their experiences during the Revolutionary War, Gilje demonstrates that, while sailors recognized the ideals of the Revolution, their idea of liberty was far more individual in nature—often expressed through hard drinking and womanizing or joining a ship of their choice. Gilje continues the story into the post-Revolutionary world highlighted by the Quasi War with France, the confrontation with the Barbary Pirates, and the War of 1812. In Liberty On The Waterfront: American Maritime Culture In The Age Of Revolution, Life Aboard Warships, Merchantmen, And Whalers, As Well As The Interactions Of Mariners And Others On Shore, Are Recreated In Absorbing Detail. Describing The Important Contributions Of Sailors To The Resistance Movement Against Great Britain And Their Experiences During The Revolutionary War, Gilje Demonstrates That, While Sailors Recognized The Ideals Of The Revolution, The Idea Of Liberty That They Practiced Was Far More Individual In Nature - Often Expressed Through Hard Drinking And Womanizing Or Through The Ability To Join A Ship Of Their Choice. Gilje Continues The Story Into The Post-revolutionary World Highlighted By The Quasi War With France, The Confrontation With The Barbary Pirates, And The War Of 1812, Showing How The American Jack Tar Emerged As An Important Symbol Of The Spirit Of The New Nation. Finally, Gilje Discusses The Efforts Of Evangelical Reform To Reach The Waterfront And Examines Expressions Of The Ideals Of The Age Of Revolution As They Emerged From Maritime Workers Themselves In The Form Of Literature, Including The Work Of Herman Melville, James Fenimore Cooper, And Richard Henry Dana.--jacket. The Sweets Of Liberty -- The Maid I Left Behind Me -- A Sailor Ever Loves To Be In Motion -- The Sons Of Neptune -- Brave Republicans Of The Ocean -- Free Trade And Sailors' Rights -- Proper Objects Of Christian Compassion -- The Ark Of The Liberties Of The World -- Epilogue. Paul A. Gilje. Includes Bibliographical References (p. [269]-323) And Index.

Through careful research and colorful accounts, historian Paul A. Gilje discovers what liberty meant to an important group of common men in American society, those who lived and worked on the waterfront and aboard ships. In the process he reveals that the idealized vision of liberty associated with the Founding Fathers had a much more immediate and complex meaning than previously thought.

In Liberty on the Waterfront: American Maritime Culture in the Age of Revolution, life aboard warships, merchantmen, and whalers, as well as the interactions of mariners and others on shore, is recreated in absorbing detail. Describing the important contributions of sailors to the resistance movement against Great Britain and their experiences during the Revolutionary War, Gilje demonstrates that, while sailors recognized the ideals of the Revolution, their idea of liberty was far more individual in nature—often expressed through hard drinking and womanizing or joining a ship of their choice.

Gilje continues the story into the post-Revolutionary world highlighted by the Quasi War with France, the confrontation with the Barbary Pirates, and the War of 1812.

through Careful Research And Colorful Accounts, Historian Paul A. Gilje Discovers What Liberty Meant To An Important Group Of Common Men In American Society, Those Who Lived And Worked On The Waterfront And Aboard Ships. In The Process He Reveals That The Idealized Vision Of Liberty Associated With The Founding Fathers Had A Much More Immediate And Complex Meaning Than Previously Thought.

in liberty On The Waterfront: American Maritime Culture In The Age Of Revolution, Life Aboard Warships, Merchantmen, And Whalers, As Well As The Interactions Of Mariners And Others On Shore, Is Recreated In Absorbing Detail. Describing The Important Contributions Of Sailors To The Resistance Movement Against Great Britain And Their Experiences During The Revolutionary War, Gilje Demonstrates That, While Sailors Recognized The Ideals Of The Revolution, Their Idea Of Liberty Was Far More Individual In Nature—often Expressed Through Hard Drinking And Womanizing Or Joining A Ship Of Their Choice.

gilje Continues The Story Into The Post-revolutionary World Highlighted By The Quasi War With France, The Confrontation With The Barbary Pirates, And The War Of 1812.

The sweets of liberty -- The maid I left behind me -- A sailor ever loves to be in motion -- The sons of Neptune -- Brave republicans of the ocean -- Free trade and sailors' rights -- Proper objects of Christian compassion -- The ark of the liberties of the world -- Epilogue.;In Liberty on the Waterfront: American Maritime Culture in the Age of Revolution, life aboard warships, merchantmen, and whalers, as well as the interactions of mariners and others on shore, is recreated in absorbing detail. Describing the important contributions of sailors to the resistance movement against Great Britain and their experiences during the Revolutionary War, Gilje demonstrates that, while sailors recognized the ideals of the Revolution, their idea of liberty was far more individual in nature - often expressed through hard drinking and womanizing or joining a ship of their choice. Talks about what liberty meant to an important group of common men in American society, those who lived and worked on the waterfront and aboard ships. This book shows that the idealized vision of liberty associated with the Founding Fathers had a much more immediate and complex meaning than previously thought. Biographical note: Paul A. Gilje is Professor of History at the University of Oklahoma. He is the author of Rioting in America and The Road to Mobocracy: Popular Disorder in New York City, 1763-1834