Murray Pittock, a historian specializing in Scottish history, dives into the fascinating legacy of Scots in America. He discusses their significant role in the British Empire, from military engagements in the Seven Years’ War to their impact on the fur and tobacco trades. The conversation uncovers the complex identity of Scots, including the mixed heritage of John Ross, a Cherokee leader. Pittock also highlights the paradox of Scots' involvement in slavery and the cultural ties that shaped early American independence. It's a rich tapestry of adventure and intrigue!
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Post-Culloden Scots in the Caribbean
After Culloden, some Scots were transported to the Caribbean, often sold into indentured servitude.
Though not chattel slavery, conditions were harsh, with some facing brutal treatment and extended servitude.
insights INSIGHT
Scots Transportation: Not Just Gaelic
Transportation of Scots after Culloden wasn't solely based on Gaelic origins, as some suggest.
Many non-Gaelic speakers were also transported, highlighting a broader political dimension.
question_answer ANECDOTE
Scottish Sojourners in the Caribbean
Beyond forced transportation, many Scots sought new opportunities in the Caribbean and Chesapeake.
Some became successful sojourners, returning home with wealth after periods of work abroad.
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Faramerz Dabhoiwala's "The Origins of Sex" explores the historical evolution of attitudes towards sex and sexuality in the West. The book challenges conventional narratives by arguing that the first sexual revolution occurred not in the 1960s, but centuries earlier. Dabhoiwala meticulously examines the changing social, religious, and legal frameworks surrounding sex, highlighting the shift from a public to a private understanding of sexuality. He traces the influence of religious doctrines, societal norms, and economic factors on sexual behavior and morality. The book offers a nuanced and insightful perspective on the complex interplay between individual agency and societal control over sexuality.
Scotland : The Global History
Murray Pittock
In this deeply researched account, Murray Pittock explores Scotland's place in the world, examining its role in the British Empire, the rise of nationalism, and the pressures of 'Britishness.' The book reveals Scotland's diverse history and its continued global impact despite losing its status as an independent state. It covers significant events from the Thirty Years' War to Jacobite risings and modern independence debates.
From India to Africa, the involvement and influence of Scots in the British Empire has been profound. In both arenas, they rose through the ranks as soldiers, merchants and bureaucrats, to carve out, govern and lead the empire overseas. But what of America? Here too the Scottish presence was enormous. From the Scottish diaspora in the Caribbean, where after Culloden Scots rebels were forced to work or they travelled willingly to become wealthy slavers themselves. In North America and Canada they fought in the Seven Years War and American Revolution, quickly came to dominate the fur and tobacco trades, and in many cases developed profitable, amicable and often romantic alliances with the Native Americans and First Nations peoples. With all this and more, the history of Scots in America is rife with adventure and derring-do, success and failure, glory, tragedy, bravery and controversy….
In today’s episode, William and Anita are joined once again by historian Murray Pittock, to discuss the story of Scots in America, and some of the fascinating Scottish characters who made their names there.
Empire 
