Skip to content

Transatlantic Civil Society in Periodicals, 1768-1925

BOA_Transatlatic_Hero_1

From the colonial period to the Roaring Twenties

As a rule, we develop a borrowed European idea forward, and Europe develops a borrowed American idea backwards.
Mark Twain, Complete Essays

Access the full collection

Get full access to Transatlantic Civil Society in Periodicals, 1768-1925.

Institutional Free Trial

Sign up for a FREE trial 

Already have a license? Sign in to view the collection

Study the evolution of American-European social, economic, and cultural relations

This collection contains a series of American journals, magazines, and trade papers published in the United Kingdom and continental Europe from 1768 to 1925—a period that encompasses everything from the Boston Tea Party to the First World War. The periodicals are diverse in nature, but their focus is on social, cultural, and economic interchange between North America and Europe, with an emphasis on Anglo-American relations.  

Subject matter covered includes art (The Anglo-American Illustrated News), literature (The American Magazine), trade and commerce (The American Blue Book), leisure (American Referee And Cycle Trade Journal), tourism (The American Visitors’ News And Register And Colonial Gazette; America Abroad), émigré society gossip (American Society in Europe), politics (The London American), and white supremacy (The Anglo-Saxon), amongst other things. 

The collection is accompanied by a detailed publication guide. 

Contents

Transatlantic Civil Society in Periodicals, 1768-1925...

From the colonial period to the Roaring Twenties

Volumes & Documents 
BOA_Transatlantic_Contents

Highlights

Licensed to access The American Gazette, 1768-1770

Published in the aftermath of the controversial Townshend Acts, the diverse items contained within 'The American Gazette' shed light on the emerging opposition to British rule in colonial North America.

Licensed to access American Society in Europe, 1891-1892

This newspaper, described by one scholar as "often quite sharp", published light society gossip, with much of the commentary centring on politicians and other notable figures.

Licensed to access The American Trade Review, 1902

Subtitled 'a journal of facts', 'The American Trade Review' catered to British exporters through informative articles and statistical tables detailing the major trends of Anglo-American trade.

Licensed to access The American Directory of Who's Who in Europe, 1922-1925

The Directory provides an unparalleled insight into American émigré society in Europe during the 1920s. It had separate editions for Belgium, France, Italy, Spain, and the United Kingdom.

Insights

  • The periodicals highlight the interdependent nature of North American and European society, even during times of conflict and strife.
  • Many of the titles were published in England, and, as such, privileged Anglo-American relations, issues, and commerce.
  • While Canada receives much less attention than the United States, it still features regularly in some publications and prominently in others.
  • Magazines such as 'The American Directory of Who's Who in Europe' had several editions, each concerned with different European countries. 'The American Referee and Cycle Trade Journal', meanwhile, printed separate editions in English, French, and German.
  • In general, the periodicals were aimed at American travellers and residents in Europe, providing a guide to émigré society, news from North America, advice for tourists, or all three. The more trade-oriented journals, however, are addressed to British businessmen with an interest in American markets and products. A good example of this is the 'The Anglo-American and Mexican Mining Guide and General Financier'.
  • The collection is divided thematically into five volumes: Cultural Exchange, 1851-1914; Tourism and Emigration, 1884-1914; Conflict, 1768-1919; Investment and Finance, 1873-1912; and Trade and Commerce, 1897-1906.

Licensed to access Power and Profit: British Colonial Trade in America and the Caribbean, 1678-1825

1678   1825

Licensed to access The American Revolution from a British Perspective, 1763-1783

1763   1784

Licensed to access British Army Lists of Officers, 1740-1784

1740   1784

Licensed to access American Records in the House of Lords Archive, 1621-1917

1621   1917
Back to Top