1623 Studios Podcasts

As a triumph of the industrial revolution and its focus in the Atlantic, for the first time in history one region seemingly dominates the entire globe. Its ocean becomes a great vehicle for the flow of resources, people, and ideas. Immigration transforms cultures.

Emotion pushes war. America goes to Cuba to fight a Spanish colonial government. The war spreads to Asia and the United States becomes a colonial power stretching into the far Pacific, filled with uncertain strategic implications.

Exploiting the new age of steel, Americans use this new industry to build a modern navy although on a modest basis. Americans begin to perceive its application to international affairs.

Occupying their own West preoccupies Americans, and they do not react quickly to changing uses of the sea, which the industrial world is creating. The American merchant marine disappears.

American space and resources enabled the rise of a new presence on the international seas. Establishing a powerful place in the world of sail, the nation falls into civil war.

Japan makes what the Atlantic world considers a remarkable leap into regional power and modernity. Defeating Russia generates both admiration and fear about Japan as it builds a colonial presence.

Germany emerges as a great power in the later 19th century and ultimately challenges Britain at sea.

In a protracted struggle, a small but rich Britain pushes aside France on the sea and emerges as the world’s unquestioned salt water power.

Britain retreats from North America but builds a new empire with its strategic center in the Indian Ocean. India becomes the “Jewel of the Empire.”

The industrial revolution changes the nature of sea power dramatically. The Atlantic world seizes the initiative and wields it in politics, economics, and society as it shapes global power. Wind and sail yield to steam and iron.

Why did rich France fail to compete successfully with Britain at sea? How did Britain capitalize on its advantages?

Maritime Europe Discovers the Pacific and we look at the life of the sailor.

A newly-united Britain, with growing prosperity and new markets, vigorously contests other maritime powers.

England admires and fights the Dutch, and begins to develop a powerful navy.

Remarkable Tudor rulers strengthen and enrich the government. At sea, privateers capture foreign wealth and popular admiration. Defeating the Spanish armada electrifies the nation.

England takes on the sea, beginning to embracing it as part of its life.

Dutch visual arts take on great brilliance in this maritime society. Merchant society exhibits extraordinary skill in buying and selling; process becomes product. Tolerance and diversity characterize society. Why then does this remarkable vitality fade?

Digging further into the Dutch experience, we explore how this small nation could create such a dynamic and sweeping maritime presence.

The Dutch make the world’s first global trading state.

Northwestern Europe seizes oceanic leadership.

Using the World Ocean, Spain creates a global colonial empire.

Portugal builds a global oceanic enterprise.

Iberia makes the Atlantic an inland sea for oceanic Europe.

Peoples on the Indian Ocean were active seafarers. But, did they move beyond their region?

China enjoyed huge success on the continent but failed to encourage exploring the sea.