English colonial expansion in the Caribbean was more than a matter of migration and trade. It was also a source of social and cultural change within England. Finding evidence of cultural exchange between England and the Caribbean as early as the seventeenth century; Susan Dwyer Amussen uncovers the learned practice of slaveholding.As English colonists in the Caribbean quickly became large-scale slaveholders; they established new organizations of labor; new uses of authority; new laws; and new modes of violence; punishment; and repression in order to manage slaves. Concentrating on Barbados and Jamaica; England's two most important colonies; Amussen looks at cultural exports that affected the development of race; gender; labor; and class as categories of legal and social identity in England. Concepts of law and punishment in the Caribbean provided a model for expanded definitions of crime in England; the organization of sugar factories served as a model for early industrialization; and the construction of the "white woman" in the Caribbean contributed to changing notions of "ladyhood" in England. As Amussen demonstrates; the cultural changes necessary for settling the Caribbean became an important; though uncounted; colonial export.
#800251 in Books The University of North Carolina Press 2004-09-27 2004-09-27Original language:EnglishPDF # 1 9.25 x .89 x 6.13l; 1.28 #File Name: 0807855669400 pages
Review
2 of 2 people found the following review helpful. Should be required reading!By CBanksThis is a remarkable read -- the research Gerda Lerner put forth over many years (decades) to preserve the Grimke sisters'place in history (and the prominence they well deserve) is; in itself; inspiring; however; the impact these two sisters had on both the abolitionist and women's rights movements is truly incredible. That I'd never heard of them until I happened to read Sue Monk Kidd's "The Invention of Wings" (which I thought was a mediocre attempt at historical fiction) is disheartening. Lerner's book should be on everyone's required reading list. If you're a fan of David McCullough or Doris Kearns Goodwin; you will certainly appreciate Lerner's methodical and exhaustive approach to historical research as well as her ability to transport you to a very difficult and tragic time in our nation's history.9 of 9 people found the following review helpful. The gutsy Grimke sistersBy Lu Ann W. DarlingThe Grimke sisters were indeed gutsy; southern born women who rebelled against slavery and took to the northern hustings to make their case. Gerda Lerner has done a splendid job of mapping their story.Later I found they were not the only ones in the Grimke family to rebel against "that peculiar institution". Mark Perry's book Lift Up Thy Voice; should be a companion piece; because the sisters had two mulatto nephews they helped educate and who also became abolitionists.2 of 2 people found the following review helpful. The Grimke Sisters of South CarolinaBy N. C. AllenAn extremely thorough history of their lives and times. What amazing women they both were; especially given their southern; social background. Very detailed research; but readable. I bought this book to supplement an historical novel based on their lives we were reading for my book club group..
