Empire of Cotton by Sven Beckert Summary

Empire of Cotton explores cotton’s central role in shaping modern capitalism, tracing its global impact from ancient times to the 20th century. Sven Beckert argues that European empires used violence, slavery, and colonialism to dominate cotton production, fueling industrialization and systemic inequality. The book reveals how war capitalism (imperial expansion) and industrial capitalism (state-backed markets) transformed economies worldwide.

This book is essential for historians, economics students, and readers interested in capitalism’s origins, colonialism, or labor history. It appeals to those seeking a deeper understanding of how slavery, globalization, and industrialization interconnected to shape today’s economic systems.

Yes—it won the Bancroft Prize, was a Pulitzer finalist, and was named a New York Times Top 10 Book of 2015. Beckert’s decade of research offers a groundbreaking perspective on capitalism’s violent foundations, making it a critical read for understanding global economic history.

Beckert defines “war capitalism” as Europe’s 17th–19th century system of conquering lands, enslaving Africans, and coercing labor to control cotton production. Unlike industrial capitalism, it relied on militarized trade, colonial exploitation, and plantation slavery rather than technological innovation.

The book details how enslaved Africans in the Americas provided the labor for cotton plantations, enabling Europe’s textile dominance. Beckert shows that slavery was not a relic of feudalism but a cornerstone of industrial capitalism’s rise, generating immense wealth for Western economies.

European states used military force, colonial policies, and coerced labor to restructure global cotton networks. Beckert challenges the myth of European technological superiority, arguing that empire-building—not innovation—secured their control over production and trade.

Beckert contends that cotton industrialization relied on slavery, colonialism, and state power, reshaping global capitalism. He emphasizes how violence and exploitation in Asia, Africa, and the Americas enabled Europe’s economic dominance, leaving enduring inequalities.

The book frames the Industrial Revolution as a global process fueled by colonial resources and enslaved labor, not just British ingenuity. Cotton manufacturing’s growth depended on raw materials from enslaved plantations and markets in colonized regions.

Beckert’s analysis of capitalism’s roots in exploitation offers insights into modern globalization and inequality. The book underscores how historical systems of labor oppression and state power continue to influence economic structures.

Unlike eurocentric narratives, Beckert’s global approach highlights slavery and colonialism as pillars of capitalism. It complements works like Sapiens and Capital in the Twenty-First Century by focusing on commodity-driven economic transformation.

Beckert draws on transnational archives, plantation records, and merchant correspondence to trace cotton’s supply chains. His decade-long research spans five continents, offering a meticulously documented yet accessible narrative.

The book received the Bancroft Prize, Philip Taft Award, and Cundill Recognition for Excellence. It was a Pulitzer Prize finalist and named a New York Times Notable Book of the Year.