Perceptions of Duty and Motivations for Service Of
PERCEPTIONS OF DUTY AND MOTIVATIONS FOR SERVICE OF AMERICAN SEAGOING OFFICERS DURING THE AMERICAN REVOLUTION A Thesis by BENJAMIN DUERKSEN Submitted to the Office of Graduate Studies of Texas A&M University in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of MASTER OF ARTS May 2012 Major Subject: History PERCEPTIONS OF DUTY AND MOTIVATIONS FOR SERVICE OF AMERICAN SEAGOING OFFICERS DURING THE AMERICAN REVOLUTION A Thesis by BENJAMIN DUERKSEN Submitted to the Office of Graduate Studies of Texas A&M University in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of MASTER OF ARTS Approved by: Chair of Committee, James C. Bradford Committee Members, Rebecca H. Schloss Kevin J. Crisman Head of Department, David Vaught May 2012 Major Subject: History iii ABSTRACT Perceptions of Duty and Motivations for Service of American Seagoing Officers During the American Revolution. (May 2012) Benjamin Duerksen, B.A., The Colorado College Chair of Advisory Committee: Dr. James C Bradford This study utilizes correspondence, memoirs, and secondary sources to explore the lives and careers of six Continental Navy captains—Esek Hopkins, Joshua Barney, John Paul Jones, Hector McNeill, Lambert Wickes, and John Barry—and reveal the motivational factors of patriotism, a desire for fame and professional advancement, and financial stability which underlay their decisions to seek commissions in the Continental Navy, and influenced their conduct while in the service. Additionally, it suggests that prewar interactions in an "Atlantic World" context influenced the ideological and personal motivations that formed the foundations for service in the Continental Navy. All three motivations played a role in each captain's career and affected their conduct in relation to their understandings of duty, but the degree to which they influenced the captains varied.
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