Africans and the Industrial Revolution in England: A Study in International Trade and Economic Development - Softcover

Inikori, Joseph E.

Softcover

ISBN 10: 0521010799 ISBN 13: 9780521010795

Publisher: Cambridge University Press, 2002

Synopsis

Drawing on classical development theory and recent theoretical advances on the connection between expanding markets and technological developments, this book reveals the critical role of the expansion of Atlantic commerce in the successful completion of England's industrialization from 1650-1850. The volume is the first detailed study of the role of overseas trade in the Industrial Revolution. It revises other explanations that have recently dominated the field and shifts the assessment of African contribution away from the debate on profits.

About this title

Book Description:

Drawing on classical development theory and recent theoretical advances on the connection between expanding markets and technological developments, this book shows the critical role of expanding Atlantic commerce in the successful completion of England' industrialization process over the period 1650-1850. This is the first detailed study of the role of overseas trade in the Industrial Revolution. It revises inward-looking explanations that have dominated the field in recent decades, and shifts the assessment of African contribution away from the debate on profits.

Review:

"...a brave and good book." Pat Hudson, Cardiff University, Journal of Modern History

"[A] densely argued, learned, and important book...Inikori builds a compelling case to which all serious students of industrialization will pay careful attention.[T]his powerful and closely-reasoned book has brought vigorous new life to an old debate." John Darwin, Nuffield College, Oxford, Albion

"Inikori's big book dispels any lingering doubts about the important part played by overseas trade in stimulating the innovation and enterprise that underpinned Britain's Industrial Revolution and makes a welcome attempt to add precision to our understanding of the linkages between slavery, Atlantic commerce, and long-run economic change." Nuala Zahedieh, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, Scotland, International Journal of Maritime History

"Professor Inikori's ambitious book stressing the pivotal contribution of Africans (especially enslaved Africans) to England's industrialization is certain to persuade many readers. His thesis is provocative and may be relevant to contemporary political debates in the United States...a book that merits very close attention." John Singleton, Victoria University of Wellington, Wellington, New Zealand, International Journal of Maritime History

"...[a] splendid book...I admire Inikori's book and regard the appearance of research which rehabilitates the role of the slave trade and slavery in British industrialisation as long overdue." Pat Hudson, Cardiff University, Cardiff, United Kingdom, International Journal of Maritime History

"Joseph Inikori has written a detailed and important book on the origins and causes of the English Industrial Revolution. Inikori makes it clear that historians can no longer neglect the role of Africans in Atlantic commerce and its effects on industrialisation..." Henk den Heijer, University of Leiden, Leiden, The Netherlands, International Journal of Maritime History

"...a treasure trove of information...a product of mature scholarship, vindicating the dedication of a life-time of research to a single great theme." William G. Clarence-Smith, SOAS, University of London, London, England, International Journal of Maritime History

"Inikori seeks to draw a parallel between international forces affecting Britain's industrialization, and international theories and development policies affecting economic development in the non-Western world after World War II. Inikori draws new attention to the impact of international trade on the development process in England." Maxine Berg, University of Warwick, Coventry, England, International Journal of Maritime History

"Joseph Inikori's Africans and the Industrial Revolution in England: A Study in International Trade and Economic Development is destined to become a classic in the study of English, European, and world history. He has taken on a perennial topic of historical debate, and the book does what any good classic in history and social science should do. It provides broad historical context, challenging theorectical insights, rich empirical detail, and a well-constructed and provocative set of conclusions about the centrality of Africa's contribution to the modern period of history. It will engage scholars for decades to come." International Journal of African Historical Studies

"...a big book in every sense...provocative...convincing..." EH.NET

About this edition

• Publisher: Cambridge University Press
• Publication date: 2002
• ISBN 10: 0521010799
• ISBN 13: 9780521010795
• Binding: Paperback
• Number of pages: 600