Death of the French Atlantic: Trade, War, and Slavery in the Age of Revolution

The Death of the French Atlantic examines the decline of France's Atlantic empire in the Age of Revolution due to war, anti-slavery, and the French Revolution, leading to the loss of Saint-Domingue and the creation of Haiti.

Format: Hardback
Length: 352 pages
Publication date: 30 January 2020
Publisher: Oxford University Press

The Death of the French Atlantic delves into the abrupt and irreversible collapse of France's Atlantic empire during the Age of Revolution, shedding light on the underlying factors that weakened the country's competitiveness as a dominant commercial power in the Atlantic region. The first force was war, particularly the naval conflicts waged against France's longstanding adversary and commercial rival, Great Britain. A series of colonial wars, spanning from the Seven Years' War and the American Revolution to the Revolutionary and Napoleonic Wars, significantly contributed to France's expulsion from the North Atlantic.

The second factor was the growing opposition to slavery and the emergence of a new moral consciousness that questioned the legitimacy of Europeans possessing slaves or sacrificing the freedom of others for national economic gain. This moral awakening challenged the established order and sparked a wave of activism against slavery, leading to the abolition of the slave trade in many countries.

The third and most significant factor was the French Revolution itself. While the Revolution aimed to secure the Rights of Man for French citizens, it also sowed the seeds of insurrection in the slave societies of the New World. The Haitian Revolution, which began in 1791, resulted in the loss of Saint-Domingue and the creation of the first black republic in Haiti. This event had far-reaching consequences for the French Caribbean, driving both colonists and slaves from Saint-Domingue to seek refuge across the Atlantic world. It led to a significant population shift, with many individuals seeking opportunities in Europe, North America, and the Caribbean.

The impact of these forces was profound. The loss of Saint-Domingue, a major sugar producer, dealt a significant blow to the French economy, particularly in the French Caribbean. The exodus of colonists and slaves also disrupted the social and economic structures of these regions, leading to economic instability and social unrest. Furthermore, the legacy of the slave trade in French ports like Nantes, La Rochelle, and Bordeaux has left an uneasy memory that continues to shape race relations in France today.

The Death of the French Atlantic serves as a reminder of the complex and multifaceted factors that contributed to the decline of France's Atlantic empire and the lasting impact of these events on the history, society, and economy of the region. It highlights the interconnectedness of global events and the profound consequences that they can have on individual countries and societies.

Weight: 656g
Dimension: 162 x 241 x 24 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9780199568956