Thomas_More

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  • in reply to: Russian Tensions #262824
    Thomas_More
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    in reply to: Patriotism #262822
    Thomas_More
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    The first permanent English standing army was formed by James II, and its first military duty was the killing of English farmers, artisans and labourers – namely, the Monmouth rebels.

    in reply to: Patriotism #262821
    Thomas_More
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    Scots, Irish and Scottish Highlanders captured by parliamentary forces in the Civil War were transported (sometimes straight from the battlefield) via Bristol and other collection points to the West Indies as slaves.

    in reply to: Utopias #262813
    Thomas_More
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    Father Caraccioli.

    Father Caraccioli was a 17th-century Dominican priest and ideological founder of the pirate utopia, Libertalia, alongside Captain Misson. Described as a “lewd” deist and anti-authoritarian, he converted French sailors to a radical, egalitarian philosophy, advocating for shared wealth, liberty, and opposing slavery and institutional religion.
    Key Details About Father Caraccioli:

    Background: An Italian priest who became disillusioned with the Catholic Church, viewing it as a tool for controlling the masses, leading him to adopt Deism.

    The Partnership: Met Captain Misson in Rome and influenced him to abandon traditional naval life for a life of “liberty”.
    Ideology: Believed all men were born free and equal, and that slavery was inherently wrong.

    Role in Piracy: He was not a traditional pirate but rather a philosophical leader who encouraged the crew to become “Guardians of the People” and to capture slave ships to free their captives.

    Libertalia: Helped establish the pirate colony of Libertalia on the coast of Madagascar, promoting a democratic society with no private property.

    in reply to: Utopias #262812
    Thomas_More
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    in reply to: Patriotism #262794
    Thomas_More
    Participant

    Google:

    Yes, the historical practice of kidnapping street children and sending them to colonies for forced labor did occur, primarily from Britain and Ireland to the Americas and later Australia and Canada, spanning from the 17th century well into the 20th century.
    Historical Context
    Motivation: The practice served a dual purpose: to relieve the strain on the welfare system and workhouses in Britain and to provide cheap labor for the colonies. Colonial authorities and merchants often actively encouraged the trade.
    Methods: Some children were officially transported by city authorities or charities, sometimes with their parents being misled or coerced into giving consent. Others were simply abducted from the streets by gangs of kidnappers, known as “spirits”.
    Destinations and Conditions: Children were sent to various colonies, including the Virginia Colony, Maryland, the West Indies, Canada, and Australia. Upon arrival, they were often sold into indentured servitude, where many faced harsh conditions, abuse, and hard labor.
    Timeline: The earliest recorded instance of this official transportation was in 1618, when 100 children were sent from London to Virginia. The practice continued under various schemes (like the “Home Children” program) until the late 1960s and early 1970s.
    Victims: It was often falsely claimed that all the children were orphans, but it is now known that most had living parents who were often unaware of their children’s true fate.

    in reply to: Boxing and moral judgments #262793
    Thomas_More
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    Social history: 18th century female pugilism.

    in reply to: Gerontobigotry. #262791
    Thomas_More
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    Exactly, and brilliantly put.

    In the workplace today, and in schools and, yes, even in universities, colleges, and leisure groups (!), the bullies in authority have been largely replaced with the bullies who are colleagues, fellow-students, fellow-enthusiasts etc.

    in reply to: Underplayed Classics #262789
    Thomas_More
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    Toast the Crew, Curse the Crown!

    Pirate song.

    in reply to: Patriotism #262788
    Thomas_More
    Participant

    When the drivel “Rule Britannia” (“Britons never will be slaves”) was written, British children were being rounded up in Britain and sold to the colonies as slaves for 900 lbs of cotton per child.

    in reply to: Gerontobigotry. #262783
    Thomas_More
    Participant

    How many times do we hear from elders: “Youngsters don’t know how lucky they are!” “In my day they’d have got what was coming!” “Bring back hanging. That’ll sort them!”
    And “Our dad would take his belt off to us”, said with great relish as though it were a virtue?

    • This reply was modified 1 month, 1 week ago by Thomas_More.
    in reply to: Gerontobigotry. #262782
    Thomas_More
    Participant

    Very well said.

    In a similar vein, an American made a quip that many love their cars more than their children. S/he pointed out that people whose sons/daughters/grandsons/grandaughters have been killed or mutilated through war don’t hate the authorities that sent them to war. Instead, they become even more militaristic, jingoistic, and fawning than they were before.
    Whereas, if someone damages their cars, they know whom to blame straightaway!

    in reply to: Underplayed Classics #262780
    Thomas_More
    Participant

    Bound for Van Diemen’s Land.

    in reply to: Blackbeard my hero. #262770
    Thomas_More
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    Libertalia, where everything was held in common.

    in reply to: Underplayed Classics #262749
    Thomas_More
    Participant

    Kett’s rebellion against enclosures, 1549.

Viewing 15 posts - 16 through 30 (of 2,399 total)