Book Report: Capitalism and Slavery by Eric Williams "Capitalism and Slavery" (published by The University of North Carolina Press, 1994) was written by Eric Eustace Williams and first published in 1944. Eric Williams' book was , at the time of its publication, considered years ahead of its time. It should be noted at the outset of this report that literary works on Caribbean history, or on slavery in fact, were produced by Europeans. In the preface to his book, Williams clearly states that his work "is not a study of the institution of slavery but of the contribution of slavery to the development of British capitalism." »1 His work takes an economic view of history, which is central to his arguments and therefore essential for understanding how his arguments and ideas are ultimately formulated. The author himself sums it up best, when he clearly states that his work is "first a study of English economic history and secondly of West Indian and Black history."2 His main thesis is that “the commercial capitalism of the 18th century was built on slavery and monopoly, while the industrial capitalism of the 19th century destroyed slavery and monopoly. »3 Economics was at the heart of Williams's thesis; it links slavery, the rise of British capitalism, the African slave trade and the emancipation of the Caribbean. Triangular trade involved trade between England, North America, the West Indies, and England in the 18th century. Triangular trade would be crucial in the development of British industry, which would in turn lead to the Industrial Revolution. was financed by "capital accumulation",4 from salvos, the key element of work in...... middle of paper ......ess, 1994, page xiBibliography1) Williams Eric, Capitalism & Slavery, The University of North Carolina Press, 19942) Shepherd Verene and Beckles Hilary, Caribbean Slavery in the Atlantic World, Ian Rndle Publishers Limited, 20003) Higman BW, General History of the Caribbean, Unesco Publishing, 19974) Amazon, Capitalism & Slavery (Paperback), http://www.amazon.com/Capitalism-Slavery-Eric-Williams/dp/0807844888, accessed February 7, 20075) Wikipedia, Eric Williams, http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki /Eric_Williams, accessed February 7, 20076) Solow Barbara and Engerman Stanley, British Capitalism and Caribbean Slavery: The Legacy of Eric Williams, The William and Mary Quarterly, October 1989,7) Solow Barbara and Engerman Stanley, British Capitalism and Caribbean Slavery: The Legacy of Eric Williams, The Journal of American History, March1989,