This fourth book in the Transpontine series explores the language and history of the United States. It starts from 1650 and continues up to the Acts of Union in 1707, when Scotland joined a United Kingdom alongside the English colonies in America. This coincidently marked the completion of the first American century.
Book 4 charts the creation of yet more English colonies during the second half of the 1600s, the merging of others and the explosive development of international trade.
By the mid-1600s the patchwork of English colonies – and, importantly, trade between them and England – were controlled by a network of individuals, wealthy traders, royal monopolies and private investors, all operating under their own steam. England had grown to be a strong power. But with King Charles I dead and England now a republic, a new national thinking was introduced in October that year in the form of the Navigation Act of 1651. This was a political-economic embargo – although largely ignored – aimed at cutting the skilful Dutch traffickers out of English trade. It was an important milestone in English imperial outlook aimed at serving something called “the national interest”, on both sides of the Atlantic.
The Navigation Act marked the start of a new English nationalism and a shift in focus by the English in consolidating its now powerful overseas trade under the total control of the English Commonwealth. Any ship built anywhere in the empire was deemed to be English, so too were her crew. The Act dictated that trading of goods between English territories must be regulated and restricted to using only English ships. Until now the Crown’s interest had been in allowing the private players of the proprietary colonies to mind their own affairs. Now, however, the colonists would be subject to more Crown oversight and Crown taxes. The Act formalised, organised and regulated Atlantic trade. This heralded a new international outlook and policy by England that had not been witnessed before.
It also unpacks the consolidation of the slave trade, while exploring the bitter rivalries between competing European nations over the spoils of the New World.
"... researched a lot and he quotes so many sources, drops so many interesting facts, ideas, historical bits and pieces. That was awesome!!"
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On the language front, new American words appear from the likes of Dutch and the formation of new meanings from existing English words.
Contains exclusive maps throughout the series:
An inside look.
My first book was a book on English grammar and usage, published through Hachette. This was followed up by books combining history and etymology. So far I have published 11 books. History and great stories are the common denominators.
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I live by the motto: "Always be creating". Whether it is 10 words, 10 pages or 10 photos, I try to make sure I have added/created something new by sundown.
