Patronage and profit : Scottish networks in the British West Indies, c.1763-1807
The thesis is concerned with assessing the scale and importance of the interaction between Scotland and the West Indies in the later part of the eighteenth century. In analysing the symbiotic relationship between a metropolitan region and a colonial sphere, this study seeks to further the on-going reappraisal of British imperial activity. Within the West Indies, the thesis focuses particularly on Jamaica and on the Windward Islands, which were ceded to Britain in 1763. For Scots, the new opportunities in the Windwards were especially attractive. In this period, Scots formed a significant, and disproportionately large, part of the white population and tended to conduct their affairs in networks based on ties of kinship or local association. These were essentially transatlantic, and were often based on pre-existing networks which were extended from Scotland to include Great Britain and its Atlantic empire. In addition to facilitating all aspects of the Scottish-West Indian interaction, the networks helped to forge new, concentric identities within a imperial framework. The thesis considers this transoceanic interaction by examining a number of key themes. The two opening chapters discuss the Scottish and Caribbean
Hamilton, Douglas J.
Jamaica; Colonialism; Colonies; Scotland
Patronage and profit : Scottish networks in the British West Indies, c.1763-1807. The thesis is concerned with assessing the scale and importance of the interaction between Scotland and the West Indies in the later part of the eighteenth century. In analysing the symbiotic relationship between a metropolitan region and a colonial sphere, this study seeks to further the on-going reappraisal of British imperial activity. Within the West Indies, the thesis focuses particularly on Jamaica and on the Windward Islands, which were ceded to Britain in 1763. For Scots, the new opportunities in the Windwards were especially attractive. In this period, Scots formed a significant, and disproportionately large, part of the white population and tended to conduct their affairs in networks based on ties of kinship or local association. These were essentially transatlantic, and were often based on pre-existing networks which were extended from Scotland to include Great Britain and its Atlantic empire. In addition to facilitating all aspects of the Scottish-West Indian interaction, the networks helped to forge new, concentric identities within a imperial framework. The thesis considers this transoceanic interaction by examining a number of key themes. The two opening chapters discuss the Scottish and Caribbean
patronage profit scottish network british west_indies concerned assess scale importance interaction scotland west_indies later part analyse symbiotic relationship metropolitan region colonial sphere study_seek going reappraisal british_imperial activity within west_indies focus_particularly jamaica islands britain scots new opportunity especially attractive period scots form significant disproportionately large_part white population tend conduct affair network base tie kinship local association essentially transatlantic often base pre_existing network extend scotland include great britain atlantic empire addition facilitate aspect scottish west_indian interaction network help forge new concentric identity_within imperial framework considers interaction examine number_key theme open discus scottish caribbean