Mutiny on the Rising Sun is a deeply human history of smuggling that demonstrates how interconnected the future United States was with the wider world, how illegal trade created markets for exotic products like chocolate, and how slavery and smuggling were key factors in the development of American capitalism.
Focusing on the often-overlooked history of slavery in seventeenth-century New England, this book highlights the individual experiences of enslaved Africans and indigenous peoples. It examines the economic and cultural impact of slavery on the region, despite enslaved individuals making up only 4 percent of the population by the American Revolution. The narrative also delves into New England's ties to Caribbean plantations and the significance of emancipation movements during this transformative period. Engagingly written and thoroughly researched, it offers vital insights into this complex history.
In this concise yet comprehensive history, Jared Ross Hardesty focuses on the individual stories of enslaved people in New England, bringing their experiences to life. He also explores larger issues such as the importance of slavery to the colonization of the region, and connections to Caribbean plantation societies.