The idea that the British empire was built on freedom is a myth. Britain rose to global power in the eighteenth century on the backs of enslaved workers. And although Britain was the first European empire to abolish slavery, even British abolitionism was shaped by the slave empire.
An Imperial History of the Irish Famine
The narrative explores the stark contrast between Britain's industrial ascent and Ireland's devastating Great Famine in the nineteenth century. This crisis challenged established beliefs about political economy and civilization, revealing vulnerabilities in Britain and prompting a reevaluation of its imperial practices. Ireland served as a critical case study, influencing British perspectives on colonization, population dynamics, ecology, and labor, ultimately reshaping the understanding of empire itself.