Early Modern Diasporas: A European History

This book is the first comprehensive history of diasporas in Europe between 1500 and 1800, exploring the diverse communities of Huguenots, Sephardim, British Catholics, Mennonites, Moriscos, Moravian Brethren, Quakers, and Ashkenazim. It investigates the tensions these groups experienced as minorities, maintaining complex relationships with authorities, local inhabitants, and other diasporic populations. The authors provide a comparative view and case studies to understand integration, migrations, and religious coexistence.

Format: Hardback
Length: 274 pages
Publication date: 28 April 2022
Publisher: Taylor & Francis Ltd

This comprehensive historical account delves into the intricate tapestry of diasporas in Europe spanning the 16th to 18th centuries. It explores the diverse communities of Huguenots, Sephardim, British Catholics, Mennonites, Moriscos, Moravian Brethren, Quakers, and Ashkenazim, among others, who traversed the continent during this period. Despite the extensive literature on diasporas, most studies have focused on individual communities, neglecting the broader interconnectedness of these groups. Each community, united by shared experiences of persecution, a deep attachment to their homeland, and economic ties, formed dynamic networks that facilitated the exchange of information, people, and goods. Despite their shared characteristics, these communities exhibited remarkable diversity, navigating complex relationships with authorities, local inhabitants, and other diasporic populations.

In this book, the authors seek to reconcile global and microhistorical approaches, examining the tensions experienced by these communities. They explore the interplay between unity and heterogeneity, mobility and locality, marginalization and assimilation, providing a comparative perspective and detailed case studies to engage scholars, students, and the general public in understanding the complexities of integration, migrations, and religious coexistence.

The authors highlight the importance of studying diasporas as they shed light on the broader historical context of Europe, its interactions with other regions, and the impact of migration on societies. By examining the experiences of these communities, the book contributes to our understanding of the complexities of identity, culture, and the challenges faced by marginalized groups in a changing world.

This comprehensive historical account offers valuable insights into the lives and experiences of these diverse communities, providing a rich resource for scholars, students, and anyone interested in exploring the rich tapestry of European history.

Dimension: 234 x 156 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781032046822