Description
McNeil covers French and Spanish economic and military policy toward the colonies, as well as the empires' actual economic and military roles. Particular colonial trades -- codfish in Cape Breton and sugar and tobacco in Cuba -- were important to the economies of the mother countries.
Both colonies proved to be highly profitable and comparatively inexpensive to defend, govern, and maintain, but, as McNeill shows, managing them from a distance was not without problems. Smuggling was widespread throughout the colonies, although this illegal trading did not undermine the overall commercial success of the systems. In addition, because the preferred method of profiteering from a rival's empire was to seize cargo at critical points on the high seas, the imperial powers faced the continual threat of foreign attacks on their trade ships. McNeill also emphasizes the role of geography, climate, ecosystems, and disease patterns in thwarting Spanish and French ambitions in the New World.
Using archival research, McNeill illuminates the character of the Atlantic world of the eighteenth century by offering information on the economy and defense of two colonies. He also delineates the importance of overseas holdings to European states and the problems of imperial management.
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About the Author
John Robert McNeill is a professor at the School of Foreign Service and History Department at Georgetown University.
Book Information
ISBN 9780807865675
Author John Robert McNeill
Format Paperback
Page Count 352
Imprint The University of North Carolina Press
Publisher The University of North Carolina Press
Weight(grams) 333g