Empires of the Atlantic World: Britain and Spain in America, 1492-1830

• DOI: 10.2307/25094617
• Publication Date: 2010-05-04T02:01:40Z
• Authors: R. R. Johnson
• Keywords: CONQUEST; Atlantic World

The recognition that Europe's overseas expansion bred competing colonial empires—in contrast to the more monolithic growth of a Rome or China—has long alerted historians opportunities for their comparative assessment, even as range expertise required has rendered this approach preached than practiced. Sir John Elliott's long-awaited study, nearly two decades in making, takes on task with grace and skill. A renowned historian peninsular Spain, Elliott sets limits his voyage into wider transoceanic world by focusing empires Spain Britain Americas giving, he acknowledges, somewhat lesser attention native peoples areas such Caribbean. Sensitive dangers merely tabulating similarities differences, seeks work “by constantly comparing, juxtaposing interweaving stories” (p. xviii). So skilled is interweaving, when informed span reading—the book concludes one thousand-item bibliography—that it continually generates fresh insights forged out familiar materials. Many emerge “Occupation,” opening section book's three parts, demonstrates how Britain, both “composite states” but varied elements, evolved different patterns “occupying American space,” first bent conquest, exploitation, conversion, integration its subject second planting migrant communities heterogeneous political religious ways less engaged they encountered 29). North Americanists can learn much from analysis contrasting forces unity diversity—as pigment, caste, belief, urbanization, generation labor supply—that textured each society.