The Making of New World Slavery

The Making of New World Slavery examines the development of slavery across the Americas from the 15th through 18th centuries. The book tracks how European powers established and expanded slave-based colonial economies in the Caribbean, Brazil, and North America. Blackburn analyzes the economic, social, and political factors that drove the growth of slavery in different colonial regions. The narrative moves chronologically through Portuguese, Spanish, Dutch, French, and English colonization efforts while comparing their approaches to slave labor and trade. The work draws on archival records and historical documents to detail the evolution of plantation systems, slave trading networks, and colonial administration practices. Blackburn explores the connections between European capitalism, colonial expansion, and the institutionalization of racial slavery. This comprehensive study demonstrates how New World slavery marked a distinct break from previous forms of bondage and fundamentally shaped the modern world economy. The book reveals the complex interplay between economic interests, imperial competition, and evolving ideas about race and human property.

Readers value the book's comprehensive examination of how slavery systems evolved differently across European colonies. Many note its strength in connecting economic factors to the development of racial ideology. Positives from reviews: - Deep analysis of Dutch, British, French colonial differences - Clear explanations of complex economic systems - Strong primary source citations - Detailed merchant/trade information Common criticisms: - Dense academic writing style - Too much focus on European economics vs slave experiences - Length (over 500 pages) makes it challenging for casual readers - Some sections get repetitive Review Scores: Goodreads: 4.3/5 (62 ratings) Amazon: 4.4/5 (12 ratings) A Goodreads reviewer noted: "Excellent on economic aspects but could have included more about enslaved peoples' resistance." An Amazon reviewer wrote: "The level of detail on trade networks and colonial administration is impressive but makes for dry reading at times." JStor reviews emphasize its contributions to understanding capitalism's role in slavery's development.

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Many Thousands Gone by Ira Berlin The transformation of African American slavery across regions and centuries reveals distinct phases of development and adaptation in different colonial territories.

The Half Has Never Been Told by Edward E. Baptist An economic history connects the expansion of American slavery to the rise of modern capitalism and banking systems.

The Price of Emancipation by Nicholas Draper A detailed analysis of the British slavery compensation records exposes the financial networks and economic impact of abolition across the British Empire.

River of Dark Dreams by Walter Johnson The Mississippi Valley's cotton kingdom demonstrates the intersection of slavery, capitalism, and empire in the nineteenth-century Atlantic world.

🔷 The book traces how slavery evolved differently in various colonial regions, showing how Portuguese, Spanish, Dutch, English and French colonies each developed distinct systems of bondage 🔷 Author Robin Blackburn was a long-time editor of New Left Review and taught sociology at the University of Essex, bringing both academic and political perspectives to his analysis 🔷 The work reveals how European banking systems and industrial capitalism were largely built on profits from the slave trade, with many modern financial institutions tracing their wealth to this period 🔷 Despite covering the brutal history of slavery, the book also documents forms of resistance and rebellion by enslaved people, including the successful Haitian Revolution 🔷 The book demonstrates how New World slavery was not a continuation of old forms of bondage, but rather a new, more systematized form of exploitation specifically designed for colonial capitalism