Tea, Porcelain, and Sugar in the British Atlantic World

Abstract

Studying history through the Atlantic World can be an exciting and challenging endeavor for both teachers and students. As students begin to see society through new perspectives, they learn to better understand not only the world of yesterday, but also that of today and they begin to notice how even the smallest details of their daily lives can be interconnected with larger trends and movements in history. This is no where more apparent than in the study of the things of daily life such as furniture, food, and even clothing. By looking at not only the flow of goods through the Atlantic World, but also the meanings that nations and individuals attached to those products, students can gain a unique understanding of the eighteenth century and the birth of modern society. OAH's Talking History radio show has several episodes related to consumerism in its archives that are educational and entertaining at the same time. (The shows are archived online at <http://talkinghistory.oah.org/>.) This article will use two of these episodes as launching points to larger discussions about consumerism in the eighteenth century by specifically focusing on the movement of tea, porcelain, and sugar through the Atlantic World and examining the various ways that these products became interwoven with the social fabric of life in Britain and America.