British ancestry's influence on the war

[matthew mckeon]

Suwanee's points about the importance and influence of the various cultures of the British Isles (I'll include Ireland in this mix) on the Civil War have been spread on various threads. I want to concentrate them, because I think some interesting things are being posted.

I'm sure many folks here have read "Albion's Seed," which is about this very topic: that America was settled by different groups from different areas in Britain, and this influenced different societies here in America. Most folks are probably also familiar with Gerald McWhiney's thesis that the Confederate strategy was significantly influenced by the Scots-Irish ancestry of many Confederates.

I'm a little skeptical on this, but let's discuss, because I believe there are some wheat in the chaff.

[ole]

Ethnicity is always an interesting topic, Mathew. I'd question the time difference. Admittedly, I tend to revel in the kick-butt attitude of the Vikings, but that was so many years ago. So I have to wonder how strong the feeling was among the Southern aristocracy. Were they simply a new elite? Or were they fixated on an old aristocracy?

Ole

[samgrant]

Originally Posted by matthew mckeon

I'm sure many folks here have read "Albion's Seed," which is about this very topic: that America was settled by different groups from different areas in Britain, and this influenced different societies here in America.
I'm a little skeptical on this, but let's discuss, because I believe there are some wheat in the chaff.

I don't know that 'many' have read it. It has an interesting premise, and I'm sure it must present a much more coherent argument than Mr. suannee does.

[gary]

Vikings had their share of merchants and farmers too. Not everyone was a warrior.

[ole]

They were all farmers, fishermen, and traders, Gary. Sometimes their tactics got a bit rough.
Ole

[gary]

Bwahahahahahahahahahahahahahaha!