The triangular trade is a staple of American history. Any economic history of the colonial period should deal with it. Edwin Perkins' book on the colonial American economy (Columbia University Press, 2nd ed. I think) should guide you ok. I think John McCusker wrote his dissertation on the rum trade a long time ago (the dissertation, that is!), but to my knowledge he has not published on the subject. At 01:13 PM 9/2/96 +0930, you wrote: >---------------------- Information from the mail header ----------------------- >Sender: Alcohol and Temperance History Group <[log in to unmask]> >Poster: Melissa Raven <[log in to unmask]> >Subject: triangular trade >------------------------------------------------------------------------------- > >I've only recently come across references to the so-called triangular trade >(rum, slaves, sugar, traded between England, West Africa, the Americas) in >the early(?) nineteenth century (and late eighteenth?). > >I'd like to know more about this (I've only seen it mentioned in passing). >Can anyone suggest a few good papers or books to read? Plus I'd welcome >anyone's thoughts/ideas - I'm particularly interested in the significance of >alcohol as a tool of imperial expansion/colonisation, and links between >commercial interests and international politics, but I'm also intrigued by >the symbolic significance of links between slavery and alcohol. Also, until >recently I'd always thought of sugar as a fairly ordinary commodity, but >I've heard a bit lately about the use of Torres Strait Islanders as slave >labour in the sugar-fields of north Queensland (Australia), and the notion >of the triangular trade suggests that there's a lot more to it than I'm >aware of. > >Thanks >Melissa >Melissa Raven, Lecturer, Addiction Studies Coordinator >National Centre for Education & Training on Addiction >NCETA, Level 3B, Science Park Adelaide, BEDFORD PARK SA 5042, AUSTRALIA >Phone 61 8 2017557 Fax 61 8 201 7550 > > K. Austin Kerr, Co-Editor of H-Business private: [log in to unmask] Find out more about H-Business and Business History at http://www.cohums.ohio-state.edu/history/bus.htm