Press Gang Revisited: Polarization, Nuance, and the Study of Impressment in the Royal Navy

ECU Author/Contributor (non-ECU co-authors, if there are any, appear on document)

Ian Hazel (Creator)

Institution

East Carolina University (ECU )

Web Site: http://www.ecu.edu/lib/

Abstract: Over the course of the long eighteenth century, Britain grew from an island nation with limited colonial holdings to a transatlantic imperial power. Because of this territorial expansion, the Royal Navy increased dramatically in size. In order to crew the increased number of ships, the ancient practice of impressment — forcing sailors and other maritime laborers into naval service — grew from a seasonal, occasional enterprise to a year-round, constant operation. Impressment was highly controversial, and drew criticism from some members of society, as well as resistance from seamen. This thesis uses long-form primary source documents, such as pamphlets, letters, and memoirs, to reassess the historiographical record and demonstrate that modern authors have created a falsely unambiguous perspective on the practice. Instead, contemporary responses were incredibly nuanced, with sailors, officers, and upper-class members of society all showing complex reactions to the practice.

Additional Information

Publication

Thesis

Language: English

Date: 2016

Keywords

Colonial History, British Empire, Forced Labor, Maritime, Royal Navy, Press Gang, Atlantic History, Transatlantic

Subjects

Great Britain--History, Naval--18th century; Impressment--Great Britain--Public opinion

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