The Boisterous Sea of Liberty is a stimulating read from the early discovery of America to the Civil War. The writers used primary sources from the Gilder Collection of American history., which totaled 366 documents beginning with the European discovery of America to the end of the Civil War. Their main purpose for the book was to examine human power. How human power enhanced racial slavery and the relationship between Europeans and Indians.
Davis points out in his Introduction of the book that no matter what one believes about the historical progress “we are all beneficiaries of past struggles.” This statement only confirms the belief of all historians.
The book is considered an anthology of American history and is used in many history classes. It is broken down into eight units, arranged by subject matter. The units not only detail documents written by well known leaders, but also letters written by farmers, artisans, housewives, Indians, blacks, radicals, moderates, and conservatives.
Davis and Mintz shares documentation on the description of the New Netherlands, “America’s first multicultural society,” statements by the Oneida and Seneca Indians, accounts of the slave trade, and how emigrants had to work to pay off their travel debt before beginning a life in the new country.
The book states the first federal census was taken in1790 at that time one-fifth of colonial America were African American. Of the whites three-fifths were of English decent, one-fifth of Scotch or Irish decent, the rest of the nation were French, Dutch, German, Swedish, or some decent. Therefore, the reader receives an understanding of the diversity of the cultures.
The writers point out how the proprietors depicted the various colonies as a utopia. Lord Baltimore wanted Maryland to be haven for Roman Catholics. The Carolinas were established as a nobility society, Pennsylvania a refuge for Quakers and Georgia was to be a sanctuary for the debtor.
The use of primary sources for the book solidifies the accuracy of the book. The writing is vivid and easy to understand. Through the descriptive writing, the reader can feel the tension between the Indians and whites and visualize the slave trade.
Davis and Mintz’s goal was to give an overall view of what took place from the time America was first settled to the Civil War. In addition to the primary sources the writers also used maps and other graphics such as drawings of the era they discussed this gave a more vivid account of the events that took place.
Source:
Davis, David Breon & Mintz, Steven. The Boisterous Sea of Liberty. New York: Oxford University Press, 1998
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