Weaving elements of early modern European, African, and American history, Atlantic history embraces essentials of Western civilization, from the first contacts of Europe with the Western Hemisphere to independence movements and the industrial revolution. Bailyn explores the subject's origins, rapid development, and impact on historical study.
Atlantic history is a newly and rapidly developing field of historical study. Bringing together elements of early modern European, African, and American history--their common, comparative, and interactive aspects--Atlantic history embraces essentials of Western civilization, from the first contacts of Europe with the Western Hemisphere to the independence movements and the globalizing industrial revolution. In these probing essays, Bailyn explores the origins of the subject, its rapid development, and its impact on historical study.