About the book
'It's often said that books are compulsory reading, but this book really is compulsory. You cannot understand slavery, or British Empire, without it' Sathnam Sanghera
Arguing that the slave trade was at the heart of Britain's economic progress, Eric Williams's landmark 1944 study revealed the connections between capitalism and racism, and has influenced generations of historians ever since.
Williams traces the rise and fall of the Atlantic slave trade through the eighteenth and nineteenth centuries to show how it laid the foundations of the Industrial Revolution, and how racism arose as a means of rationalising an economic decision. Most significantly, he showed how slavery was only abolished when it ceased to become financially viable, exploding the myth of emancipation as a mark of Britain's moral progress.
'Its thesis is a starting point for a new generation of scholarship' New Yorker
Editions of Capitalism and Slavery
- Paperback
- ISBN 9780241548165
- EBook
- ISBN 9780141999081
Read an Excerpt
'It's often said that books are compulsory reading, but this book really is compulsory. You cannot understand slavery, or British Empire, without it' Sathnam Sanghera
Arguing that the slave trade was at the heart of Britain's economic progress, Eric Williams's landmark 1944 study revealed the connections between capitalism and racism, and has influenced generations of historians ever since.
Williams traces the rise and fall of the Atlantic slave trade through the eighteenth and nineteenth centuries to show how it laid the foundations of the Industrial Revolution, and how racism arose as a means of rationalising an economic decision. Most significantly, he showed how slavery was only abolished when it ceased to become financially viable, exploding the myth of emancipation as a mark of Britain's moral progress.
'Its thesis is a starting point for a new generation of scholarship' New Yorker
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Capitalism and Slavery about?
'It's often said that books are compulsory reading, but this book really is compulsory. You cannot understand slavery, or British Empire, without it' Sathnam Sanghera
Arguing that the slave trade was at the heart of Britain's economic progress, Eric Williams's landmark 1944 study revealed the connections between capitalism and racism, and has influenced generations of historians ever since.
Williams traces the rise and fall of the Atlantic slave trade through the eighteenth and nineteenth centuries to show how it laid the foundations of the Industrial Revolution, and how racism arose as a means of rationalising an economic decision. Most significantly, he showed how slavery was only abolished when it ceased to become financially viable, exploding the myth of emancipation as a mark of Britain's moral progress.
'Its thesis is a starting point for a new generation of scholarship' New Yorker
What core themes, tropes, or subjects are explored in Capitalism and Slavery?
History and Archaeology > History > History: specific events and topics > Slavery, enslaved persons and abolition of slavery
Where can I read a sample of Capitalism and Slavery?
You can read an official preview of the few pages here https://www.book2look.com/book/9780241548165
Who is/are the Author/s of the book Capitalism and Slavery?
Eric Williams
What are the ISBN numbers for the physical and digital editions?
Capitalism and Slavery is available as paperback(ISBN 9780241548165) and ebook(ISBN 9780141999081)
Where can I buy Capitalism and Slavery online or support local independent bookshops?
You can buy Capitalism and Slavery from below
Where can I buy Capitalism and Slavery?