Empires and Colonies provides a thoroughgoing and lively
exploration of the expansion of the seaborne empires of western
Europe from the fifteenth century and how that process of expansion
affected the world,
including its successor, the United States.
Whilst providing special attention to Europe, the book is
careful to highlight the ambivalence and contradiction of that
expansion. The book also illuminates connections between empires
and colonies as a theme in history, concentrating on culture while
also discussing the rich social, economic and political dimensions
of the story.
Furthermore, Empires and Colonies recognizes that whilst
a study of the expansion of Europe is an important part of world
history, it is not a history of the world per se. The focus on
culture is used to assert that areas and peoples
that lack great economic power at any given time also deserve
attention. These alternative voices of slaves, indigenous peoples
and critics of empire and colonization are an important and
compelling element of the book.
Empires and Colonies will be essential reading not only
for students of imperial history, but also for anyone interested in
the makings of our modern world.
Table of Content
Preface and Acknowledgements.
Introduction.
1. First Expansion: 1415-1517.
2. From the Reformation to English and French Settlements in the
New World: 1517-1608.
3. The Relative Decline of Portugal and Spain: 1608-1713.
4. The Rise of Britain and France: 1713-1830.
5. High Imperialism: 1830-1914.
6. European Civil War and World Conflict: 1914-1945.
7. Decolonization or Neo-imperialism: 1945 to the Present.
8. Conclusion
About the author
Jonathan Hart is Professor of English, Director of Comparative Literature and Adjunct Professor of History at the University of Alberta.
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