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This week’s reading had two main ideas. The first is the influence of European conflicts throughout the rest of the Atlantic World. For example, in the United States, war between the French and British dragged the native Americans and the colonies into the war. In Africa, Europeans waged wars over colonial interests and religious fervor, simultaneously resulting in more African captives that would be enslaved. European conflicts displaced many, creating numerous refugees. Total war between Europeans made conflicts all the more bitter, aided by the creation of new weapons fueled by strong economies built on the backs of slaves. One particularly heinous act committed by multiple Europeans was raiding the colonies’ civilian populations of another European nation alongside and disguised as natives. Another significant impact of European conflicts was the power it gave to native populations, which could negotiate with Europeans in their favor, as the Europeans were careful to keep natives as allies or at least neutral. Another key point of this reading was reforms made by Europeans at home. Such reforms influenced government, religion, education, and the economy, driven by Enlightenment thought. Such reforms affected the Atlantic beyond Europe. For example, some of England’s tax reforms upset its colonies, contributing to the American Revolution. Along with many reforms came resistance, often from colonies, spurred on by neglect from the European nations, higher taxes to pay for wars, and even Enlightenment ideas. Between the conflict between European powers, reforms, and resistance and rebellions, I would argue that European conflicts had the most significant impact on the Atlantic. This seems to be the point that the author takes the most time to argue as well.
The second chapter of this reading highlights the importance of the American Revolution as the first big breakaway from an imperial power in the Atlantic. The American Revolution was made possible by the events of the Seven Years War. Leading up to the Revolution, cultural distinctions between the British and colonists deepened. The threat of the French was removed. Debt from the war caused higher taxes. All of these set the stage for the American Revolution. The colonies owed their success in part to the French, persuaded by Benjamin Franklin, to join the war. While the French foresaw war with the British in the near future, they determined in would be best to take advantage of the British while they were preoccupied with its rebellious colonies. Following the American Revolution, the British dominance of the Atlantic was limited, having lost its colonies. The American Revolution provided a degree of inspiration for people in other colonies, even in Europe as demonstrated by the French Revolution. I certainly agree with the author, the American Revolution drastically changed the Atlantic World, shifting power and giving hope to revolutions across the Atlantic.
Classmate Matthew Liivoja points out the relation of this reading to the Columbian exchange. Competition and conflict amongst European powers with each other and natives is certainly a theme presented in both of these chapters.