The Overseas Trade of British America: A Narrative History

The three-hundred-year history of British America's overseas trade is presented by historian Thomas M. Truxes, showing how it enabled the survival, economic expansion, and prosperity of British America and brought different geographical regions into a single fabric. Colonial American prosperity was due to enslaved Africans' labor, the dependency on free and open markets, and the United States' survival in the American Revolution.

Format: Hardback
Length: 464 pages
Publication date: 01 February 2022
Publisher: Yale University Press

The history of early American trade and the foundation of the American economy is a captivating journey that spans centuries. In his comprehensive book, historian Thomas M. Truxes delves into the intricate details of the overseas trade of British America, tracing its roots back to the sixteenth century in Tudor England. This trade, known as Atlantic trade, played a pivotal role in the survival, economic expansion, and ultimately prosperity of British America. It brought together vastly different geographical regions, each with its unique identity and economic structure, into a unified fabric.

Truxes reveals how colonial American prosperity was solely reliant on the labor of enslaved Africans. The colonial economy, he explains, became dependent on free and open markets, fostering a thriving commercial environment. Moreover, the young United States owes its very survival during the American Revolution to the Atlantic trade.

The book explores the various aspects of early American trade, including the exchange of goods, the development of trade routes, and the impact of slavery on the economy. Truxes sheds light on the complex relationships between different regions, such as the North and South, and how trade influenced political and social developments. He also discusses the role of British America in shaping the global economy during the eighteenth and nineteenth centuries.

Through his meticulous research and engaging storytelling, Truxes provides a comprehensive understanding of the foundations of the American economy. His work offers valuable insights into the complex web of factors that shaped the nation's development and continues to influence its economic and political landscape today.

In conclusion, the history of early American trade and the foundation of the American economy is a fascinating tale that spans centuries. Historian Thomas M. Truxes' book, "The Overseas Trade of British America," offers a comprehensive and insightful perspective on this critical period. By examining the role of Atlantic trade in the survival, expansion, and prosperity of British America, Truxes sheds light on the complex web of factors that shaped the nation's development. His work is a valuable contribution to our understanding of the past and a must-read for anyone interested in the history of the United States.

Weight: 800g
Dimension: 164 x 247 x 37 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9780300159882