A Turbulent Time: The French Revolution and the Greater Caribbean

by David Barry Gaspar (Editor), David Patrick Geggus (Editor)

"Stimulating, incisive, insightful, sometimes revisionist, this volume is required reading for historians of comparative colonialism in an age of revolution." ―Choice

"[An] eminently original and intellectually exciting book." ―William and Mary Quarterly

This volume examines several slave societies in the Greater Caribbean to illustrate the pervasive and multi-layered impact of the revolutionary age on the region. Built precariously on the exploitation of slave labor, organized according to the doctrine of racial discrimination, the plantation colonies were particularly vulnerable to the message of the French Revolution, which proved all the more potent because it coincided with the emergence of the antislavery movement in the Atlantic world and interacted with local traditions of resistance among the region's slaves, free coloreds, and white colonists.

Genres: History

280 pages, Paperback

First published March 1, 1997

Reviews

[Brian · Rating 2 out of 5]

This book covers the effects of the French Revolution on the Caribbean and how it affected movements for independence later on. In addition to covering the larger islands like Hati and Santo Domingo it also covers smaller ones such as St. Lucia and mainland USA. Both Spanish Florida and Louisiana are covered in their moves from slave holding territories to a part of the United States still holding slaves. Some of the racial tensions that were prevalent throughout the time are clearly shown in the contrasts between the various classes and races on the islands. The multitude of authors who contribute are all fine scholars and do an excellent job of conveying their areas of expertise. For those looking to get a start on understanding how the French Revolution put the Caribbean on the path to modernity this is the best place to start.