The Comparative Histories of Slavery in Brazil, Cuba, and the United States

This book is an introductory history of racial slavery in the Americas. Brazil and Cuba were among the first colonial societies to establish slavery in the early sixteenth century. Approximately a century later British colonial Virginia was founded, and slavery became an integral part of local culture and society. In all three nations, slavery spread to nearly every region, and in many areas it was the principal labor system utilized by rural and urban elites. This is the first work that systemically surveys slavery in the three nations from comparative perspectives. Chapters focus on slave narratives, demography, economy, culture, resistance and rebellions, and the causes of abolition.

Reviews & endorsements

"...Bergad's stated purpose is to integrate new interdisciplinary knowledge about three major slave societies-Cuba, Brazil, and the United States (why not Puerto Rico?)-in a digestible form for advanced undergraduates, graduate students, and the general public....provide a clear view of profitability and technology of slavery....In textbook format, Bergad provides an effective overview of colonization and the rise of slavery as the primary system of production for each of his areas of study-North America (United States), Cuba, and Brazil, with some discussion of other parts of the Americas....The presentation of data regarding production, prices, investments, and demography...makes for an admirable introduction to the economics of slavery...."
--Paul E. Lovejoy, York University, Journal of Interdisciplinary History

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Product details

• Date Published: June 2007
• format: Paperback
• isbn: 9780521694100
• length: 342 pages

• dimensions: 226 x 152 x 20 mm
• weight: 0.5kg
• contains: 5 tables
• availability: Available