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What is the Mayflower?
On this day in 1620, a boat carrying over pilgrims from Plymouth, England, set sail. It’s destination? The New World. The events that followed have been retold, mythicised, and immortalised as one of the defining moments in the colonisation of the United States of America.
So in this episode I want to know more about the voyage, the people, and the reality of what really happened, as I ask… what is the Mayflower?
...
Special guest for this episode:
- Peter Mancall, a Professor of History, Anthropology, and Economics at the University of Southern California. His research interests include Colonial North America and Native American history, and he has published numerous influential articles on the pilgrim’s voyage to Plymouth.
...
Highlights from this episode:
- The Mayflower's voyage in 1620 marked a pivotal moment in American history, symbolizing the Pilgrims' search for religious freedom and a new life.
- While the Pilgrims are often romanticized, their actual journey was fraught with challenges and hardships that are frequently overlooked in popular narratives.
- The Mayflower Compact established a foundational principle of self-governance among the early settlers, showcasing their commitment to communal responsibility.
- Despite being seen as pioneers, the Pilgrims arrived in a land already inhabited by diverse Native American tribes, complicating the narrative of discovery.
- The harsh realities faced by the Pilgrims upon arrival contributed to their mythologized status in American folklore, especially during Thanksgiving celebrations.
- Historians argue that the lasting legacy of the Pilgrims is intertwined with broader themes of religious freedom and community resilience in early American society.
...
Additional Resources:
The complicated legacy of the Pilgrims is finally coming to light 400 years after they landed in Plymouth by Peter Mancall
The Evolving American Meaning of the Pilgrims and Plymouth | TIME by Peter Mancall
General Society of Mayflower Descendants
Mayflower 400: were the Pilgrims asylum seekers or subversives? by Polly Ha
...
And if you like this episode, you might also love:
When Did the 50 States Become the 50 States
Is America an Empire?
...
SUPPORT THE SHOW
Individual Supporters: https://america-a-history.captivate.fm/support
University Partners: https://america-a-history.captivate.fm/partnerships
Brand Sponsors: [email protected]
Contact us: [email protected]
We're partnering with NeoTaste, the exclusive membership card unlocking huge discounts at hundreds of restaurants across the UK & Europe. Get your first 2 months free by using the code AAH at checkout. Sign up here: https://neotaste.com/gb?code=AAH&a=2
Are you a University or college? Become an academic partner and your name will appear right here.
Mentioned in this episode:
This episode is sponsored by What's Your Map
What's Your Map is the British Podcast Award-winning show from map expert Professor Jerry Brotton. In each episode, he invites a special guest to share a map that means something to them. It's a fascinating show, and you can listen to the new season right now: https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/whats-your-map/id1766500219
View all episodes
By Liam HeffernanOn this day in 1620, a boat carrying over pilgrims from Plymouth, England, set sail. It’s destination? The New World. The events that followed have been retold, mythicised, and immortalised as one of the defining moments in the colonisation of the United States of America.
So in this episode I want to know more about the voyage, the people, and the reality of what really happened, as I ask… what is the Mayflower?
...
Special guest for this episode:
- Peter Mancall, a Professor of History, Anthropology, and Economics at the University of Southern California. His research interests include Colonial North America and Native American history, and he has published numerous influential articles on the pilgrim’s voyage to Plymouth.
...
Highlights from this episode:
- The Mayflower's voyage in 1620 marked a pivotal moment in American history, symbolizing the Pilgrims' search for religious freedom and a new life.
- While the Pilgrims are often romanticized, their actual journey was fraught with challenges and hardships that are frequently overlooked in popular narratives.
- The Mayflower Compact established a foundational principle of self-governance among the early settlers, showcasing their commitment to communal responsibility.
- Despite being seen as pioneers, the Pilgrims arrived in a land already inhabited by diverse Native American tribes, complicating the narrative of discovery.
- The harsh realities faced by the Pilgrims upon arrival contributed to their mythologized status in American folklore, especially during Thanksgiving celebrations.
- Historians argue that the lasting legacy of the Pilgrims is intertwined with broader themes of religious freedom and community resilience in early American society.
...
Additional Resources:
The complicated legacy of the Pilgrims is finally coming to light 400 years after they landed in Plymouth by Peter Mancall
The Evolving American Meaning of the Pilgrims and Plymouth | TIME by Peter Mancall
General Society of Mayflower Descendants
Mayflower 400: were the Pilgrims asylum seekers or subversives? by Polly Ha
...
And if you like this episode, you might also love:
When Did the 50 States Become the 50 States
Is America an Empire?
...
SUPPORT THE SHOW
Individual Supporters: https://america-a-history.captivate.fm/support
University Partners: https://america-a-history.captivate.fm/partnerships
Brand Sponsors: [email protected]
Contact us: [email protected]
We're partnering with NeoTaste, the exclusive membership card unlocking huge discounts at hundreds of restaurants across the UK & Europe. Get your first 2 months free by using the code AAH at checkout. Sign up here: https://neotaste.com/gb?code=AAH&a=2
Are you a University or college? Become an academic partner and your name will appear right here.
Mentioned in this episode:
This episode is sponsored by What's Your Map
What's Your Map is the British Podcast Award-winning show from map expert Professor Jerry Brotton. In each episode, he invites a special guest to share a map that means something to them. It's a fascinating show, and you can listen to the new season right now: https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/whats-your-map/id1766500219