Slavery, Capitalism and the Industrial Revolution

Slavery played a crucial role in Britain's economic development, influencing everything from textile mills to iron and copper smelting, steam power, and financial institutions. It also had a significant impact on London's role as a center for global finance. To fully understand Britain's role in slavery, we must acknowledge its links with Western capitalism and the ways in which we continue to benefit from it today.

Format: Hardback
Length: 282 pages
Publication date: 01 June 2023
Publisher: John Wiley and Sons Ltd

Slavery played a significant role in driving Britain's economic development, often overlooked in discussions. In their groundbreaking book, Maxine Berg and Pat Hudson meticulously trace the intricate connections between slavery and the Industrial Revolution. It was not just a source of wealth for a privileged few slave owners who constructed grand country houses and indulged in luxuries. The slave and plantation trades permeated almost every aspect of the economy and society.

In textile mills, iron and copper smelting, steam power, and financial institutions, slavery was indispensable. Surprisingly, even seemingly distant aspects of eighteenth-century culture, such as fashion trends, tea consumption, snuff boxes, mahogany furniture, ceramics, and silverware, were intricately linked to slavery. Moreover, London's status as a global financial hub was partly shaped by the slave trade, as insurance, financial trading, and mortgage markets emerged in the city to facilitate investments in enslaved people.

The book offers a bold and uncompromising account of how Britain emerged as a global superpower and how the legacy of slavery continues to shape our world today. Recognizing Britain's involvement in slavery goes beyond removing statues and renaming streets. It requires us to confront the deep-rooted connections between slavery and Western capitalism, and the ongoing benefits many of us derive from this historical injustice.

It is crucial to acknowledge that slavery did not end with the abolition of the transatlantic slave trade in 1807. The system of slavery persisted in various forms until it was formally abolished in Britain in 1833. Moreover, the impacts of slavery continue to be felt today, particularly in regions where former slave colonies exist.

To truly address the legacy of slavery, we must engage in a comprehensive and ongoing process of education, awareness, and reparation. This includes recognizing the contributions of enslaved people and their descendants to British society and history, and providing support for communities affected by slavery. It also involves challenging the systemic inequalities and biases that perpetuate the legacy of slavery in our society, such as poverty, discrimination, and limited access to education and healthcare.

In conclusion, the role of slavery in driving Britain's economic development cannot be overstated. Maxine Berg and Pat Hudson's book provides a valuable contribution to our understanding of this complex and often overlooked aspect of history. By tracing the money trail, they shed light on the pervasive influence of slavery on almost every aspect of British society and economy. Recognizing and addressing the legacy of slavery is not just a matter of historical curiosity; it is an essential step towards creating a more just and equitable world.

Weight: 584g
Dimension: 162 x 237 x 33 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781509552689