Name: Shauntel Grant
Tutorial Question #6: “ Examine Eric Williams’ and C.L.R James’ Position that (a) the trade in Africans and the profits from Caribbean economies developed Europe and that (b) there was the relationship between Capitalism and anti-slavery, in light of countervailing arguments.”
Over the years much of the literature presented on the historiography of the slave trade and its supposed impact has largely been from a Euro-centric standpoint. Consequently, much of the literature and Eurocentric historians have purported without compelling evidence, that the development of Caribbean economies resulted from the riches of Europe. However, Eric Williams and C.L.R James among other historians have attempted to present the other side of the coin and illuminate our understanding as it relates to the development of European economies via the slave trade.
Williams expanded on his famous doctoral thesis into what is now famously known as Capitalism and Slavery, here we see Williams challenging traditional orthodoxy and asserting that the trade in Africans and the wealth procured from Caribbean economies not only developed Europe but served as a precursor for industrialization in Britain. Using Britain as a proto-type he presents a forceful case demonstrating that the slave trade and profits from Caribbean economies undoubtedly developed Europe.
In the 17th century the slave trade became one of the most if not the most important entities to Europe. Using Britain as a proto-type, Williams showed that the trade in Africans and Caribbean economies not only developed Britain but sparked the industrial revolution. Williams maintains in his book that the trade gave a triple stimulus to the British industry. He explains that from the inception of the trade, Britain had a monopoly which yielded great benefits for its people and its industries. Under the Royal African
Company it reaped great rewards but merchants complained about the high prices of slaves...