The Global Refuge: The Huguenot Diaspora in a Global and Imperial Perspective

Abstract Huguenot refugees were everywhere in the early modern world. Exiles fleeing French persecution, they scattered around Europe and beyond following Revocation of Edict Nantes 1685, settling North America, Caribbean, South Africa, even remote islands Atlantic Indian Oceans. This book offers first global history diaspora, explaining how why these became such ubiquitous characters imperialism. The story starts with dreams Eden, as beleaguered religious migrants sought suitable retreats to build perfect societies far from political storms Europe. In order create communities, however, Huguenots needed patrons, thus ran headlong into world empires. promoted themselves chosen people empire, heroes who also possessed key skills that would strengthen British Dutch states. As a result, French-Protestants settled world—they tried make silk Carolina, planted vines Africa; peopled vulnerable frontiers New England Suriname. Of course, this embrace empire led gradual abandonment Huguenots’ earlier utopian ambitions. They realized only by blending in, mastering foreign institutions, could prosper quickly changing Nonetheless, managed maintain role well eighteenth century, before coming Revolution upended ancien régime.