Return to previous page

Empire of Cotton

A Global History
Summary:

The book traces the rise of cotton as a pivotal commodity in the global economy, exploring its role in industrialization, empire-building, and capitalism's development. It examines the social, economic, and political transformations driven by cotton production, from slavery and colonialism to labor struggles and innovation across various continents.

Key points:

1. War Capitalism: Beckert describes "war capitalism" as the violent methods used by Europeans to establish the global cotton industry, including colonization, slavery, and economic destruction.

Books similar to "Empire of Cotton":