The Slave Power: Its Character, Career, and Probable Designs
Being an Attempt to Explain the Real Issues Involved in the American Contest

First published in 1862, this clear analysis of the issues involved in the American Civil War influenced international opinion.

John Elliott Cairnes (Author)

9781108024334, Cambridge University Press

Paperback / softback, published 9 December 2010

328 pages
21.6 x 14 x 1.9 cm, 0.42 kg

John Elliot Cairnes (1823–1875) was one of the leading economists of his day, holding professorships at Trinity College Dublin, University College, Galway, and University College, London. He gained an international reputation with The Slave Power, first published in 1862, and enlarged and reissued the following year. His analysis of the economic and social system of the Confederate states in America did much to influence British support for the Union in the United States' Civil War. He argued that the course of history was influenced most of all by economic causes. Although he had begun his study of the slave trade on a theoretical basis, the outbreak of civil war had given it a more immediate and practical application. His case is very clearly and impartially argued. While being opposed to slavery on moral grounds, he fairly states the arguments on both sides, and refutes some of the Confederate propaganda.

Preface
1. Introductory - the case stated
2. The economic basis of slavery
3. Internal organization of slave societies
4. Tendencies of slave societies
5. Internal development of slave societies
6. External policy of slave societies
7. The career of the slave power
8. The designs of the slave power
9. General conclusions.

Subject Areas: Early modern history: c 1450/1500 to c 1700 [HBLH]