A History of Barbados: 1625-1685 (Paperback) (ISBN-13: 9781025716503)

"A History of Barbados 1625-1685" provides a comprehensive and scholarly account of the formative decades of one of England's most significant Caribbean colonies. Focusing on the pivotal period between the first settlement and the late seventeenth century, Vincent T. Harlow explores the political, social, and economic development of the island. The work delves into the early administrative challenges faced by the settlers, the evolution of the colonial government, and the complex relationship between the island and the English Crown during the tumultuous years of the Civil War and the Restoration.

Central to this study is the dramatic transformation of the Barbadian economy, tracing the transition from small-scale tobacco and cotton farming to the establishment of the dominant sugar industry. Harlow examines how this shift necessitated a massive influx of labor, leading to the growth of the plantation system and the institutionalization of slavery. By analyzing primary sources and colonial records, the author offers a detailed portrait of a society in flux, grappling with external threats, internal rebellions, and the demands of imperial trade. This foundational historical text remains an essential resource for understanding the origins of British power in the West Indies and the early history of the Atlantic world.

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