'Capitalism & Slavery' by Colin A. Palmer and Eric Williams delves into the intertwined history of capitalism and the slave trade, revealing the economic foundations of European wealth and the role of slavery in fueling industrialization. Through meticulous research and detailed analysis, the book presents a compelling argument that the transatlantic slave trade was not only a brutal system of labor but also a key driver of capitalist expansion, shaping global economies and influencing historical events such as the American Revolution. Eric Williams' groundbreaking thesis challenges traditional narratives by highlighting the economic motivations behind the exploitation of enslaved Africans and the lasting impact of slavery on modern capitalism.

Writing/Prose:

The writing style is scholarly and dense, filled with historical data and analytical insights, suitable for an academic audience.

Plot/Storyline:

The book presents a thorough examination of slavery's role in shaping the British economy, arguing that economic factors were primary in both the perpetuation and eventual abolition of slavery.

Setting:

The setting is primarily within the British Empire during the period of slavery, focusing on economic and political contexts.

Pacing:

The pacing can be slow at times due to extensive details and data, yet it effectively supports the analytical depth of the themes.

17. Cairnes, op. cit., 44; Merivale, op. cit., 305–306. On soil exhaustion and the expansion of slavery in the United States see W. C. Bagley, Soil Exhaustion and the Civil War (Washington, D. C., 194...

Genres:

Topics:

transatlantic slave trade

economic history

british colonialism

abolition of slavery

role of capitalism in slavery

historical revisionism

economic determinism

colonial critique

Notes:

Eric Williams was the first Prime Minister of Trinidad and Tobago, serving from 1961 until 1981.

Before becoming Prime Minister, Williams was a professor at Howard University.

His book 'Capitalism and Slavery' was originally published in 1944 and presented a new perspective on the role of slavery in economic development.

Williams argued that the British abolition of slavery was primarily driven by economic factors rather than humanitarian ones.

The mercantile system, which restricted colonies to trade only with Britain, perpetuated slavery to a degree, as it made importing raw materials expensive.

Once British industrialists no longer needed the production from slave colonies, the economies of these colonies suffered greatly.

Williams highlighted that slave uprisings and changing market demands contributed to the decline of slavery in the British Empire.

His research showed that abolitionists did not universally oppose slavery, as some supported it in places like Brazil for economic reasons.

Williams' work has been largely validated by subsequent research, although some of his details have been contradicted.

The book illustrates how slavery was tied to various sectors of the economy, such as sugar production, shipbuilding, and clothing manufacturing.

Williams connected capitalism and slavery by showing how profits from the slave trade fueled the Industrial Revolution.

The author argued that modern capitalism has roots in the exploitation and wealth generated from slavery.

Williams' book is considered a classic in understanding the historical relationship between capitalism and slavery.

Sensitive Topics/Content Warnings

Content warnings include discussions of slavery, exploitation, and economic suffering.

From The Publisher:

Slavery helped finance the Industrial Revolution in England. Plantation owners, shipbuilders, and merchants connected with the slave trade accumulated vast fortunes that established banks and heavy industry in Europe and expanded the reach of capitalism worldwide. Eric Williams advanced these powerful ideas in Capitalism and Slavery , published in 1944. Years ahead of its time, his profound critique became the foundation for studies of imperialism and economic development. Binding an economic view of history with strong moral argument, Williams's study of the role of slavery in financing the Industrial Revolution refuted traditional ideas of economic and moral progress and firmly established the centrality of the African slave trade in European economic development. He also showed that mature industrial capitalism in turn helped destroy the slave system. Establishing the exploitation of commercial capitalism and its link to racial attitudes, Williams employed a historicist vision that set the tone for future studies.

In a new introduction, Colin Palmer assesses the lasting impact of Williams's groundbreaking work and analyzes the heated scholarly debates it generated when it first appeared.

Reader Stats (2):

Want To Read (2)

What can you read after
Capitalism & Slavery?

Meet New Books is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a way for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to products and services on amazon.com and its subsidiaries.
When you click the Amazon link and make a purchase, we may receive a small commision, at no cost to you.

Activity

Recommendations

My Stuff

Account

More

Capitalism & Slavery

Colin A. Palmer, Eric Williams