Capitalism in the colonies : African merchants in Lagos, 1851-1931 / A.G. Hopkins.

Format:

Book

Author/Creator:

Hopkins, A. G. (Antony G.), author.

Language:

English

Subjects (All):

Capitalism--Nigeria--History.

Capitalism.

Merchants--Nigeria--Lagos--History.

Merchants.

Lagos (Nigeria)--Commerce--History.

Lagos (Nigeria).

Nigeria--Economic conditions--History.

Nigeria.

Great Britain--Foreign economic relations--Nigeria--History.

Great Britain.

Nigeria--Foreign economic relations--Great Britain--History.

Commerce.

Economic history.

International economic relations.

Nigeria--Lagos.

Genre:

History.

Physical Description:

xxi, 551 pages : black and white illustrations ; 25 cm

Place of Publication:

Princeton [New Jersey] ; Oxford [England] : Princeton University Press, [2024]

Summary:

"In 'Capitalism in the colonies,' A.G. Hopkins provides the first substantial assessment of the fortunes of African entrepreneurs under colonial rule. Examining the lives and careers of 100 merchants in Lagos, Nigeria, between 1850 and 1931, Hopkins challenges conventional views of the contribution made by indigenous entrepreneurs to the long-run economic development of Nigeria. He argues that African merchants in Lagos not only survived, but were also responsible for key innovations in trade, construction, farming, and finance that are essential for understanding the development of Nigeria's economy. The book is based on a large, representative sample and covers a time span that traces mercantile fortunes over two and three generations. Drawing on a wide range of sources, Hopkins shows that indigenous entrepreneurs were far more adventurous than expatriate firms. African merchants in Lagos pioneered motor vehicles, sewing machines, publishing, tanneries, and new types of internal trade. They founded the construction industry that built Lagos into a major port city, moved inland to start the cocoa-farming industry, and developed the finance sector that is still vital to Nigeria's economy. They also took the lead in changing single-owned businesses into limited liability companies, creating freehold property rights and promoting wage labour. In short, Hopkins argues, they were the capitalists who introduced the institutions of capitalism into Nigeria. The story of African merchants in Nigeria reminds us, he writes, that economic structures have no life of their own until they are animated by the actions of creative individuals."-- Publisher's website.

Contents:

Preface

Prologue: A gunboat for Christmas, 1851

The global meets the local

Part I, The shock of 1851: Creating a cosmopolitan frontier, 1851-1880 ; The mercantile community ; Chief Daniel Taiwo and his network ; James Davies, king of the merchant princes

Part II, The shock of 1892: Crisis and transition, 1880-1900 ; The mercantile community ; Merchants as money lenders : Richard Blaize and Isaac Williams ; James Davies : the first of the cocoa farmers ; The changing economic environment, 1900-1914 ; Accommodation and diversification ; Negotiating colonial rule : Josiah Doherty and Samuel Pearse ; Jacob Coker and the new farming frontier at Agege

Part III, The shock of 1914: War and its consequences ; Peter Thomas : from meteor to falling star ; A conclusion, a conundrum, and a speculation

Epilogue: Congestion for Christmas, 2022.

Notes:

Includes bibliographical references and index.

Other Format:

Online version: Hopkins, A. G. (Antony G.). Capitalism in the colonies

ISBN:

9780691258843

0691258848

OCLC:

1397059654