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Microregionalism and intercolonial relations: the case of the Danish West Indies, 1730–1830*

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  18 February 2013

Jeppe Mulich
Jeppe Mulich*
Affiliation:
Department of History, New York University, King Juan Carlos I of Spain Center, 53 Washington Square South, Floor 4E, New York, NY 10012, USA E-mail: jeppe.mulich@nyu.edu
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Abstract

This article proposes a new framework of analysis for studying inter-imperial spaces in global history. The analytical construct developed here – that of the inter-imperial microregion – highlights the density of networks and interactions found in certain areas with multiple competing polities. It provides a relational approach to the study of transnational and inter-polity exchanges that challenges traditional imperial narratives and suggests a more direct engagement between global, regional, and local histories. After discussing the theoretical and historiographical implications of this model, the article goes on to look at empirical evidence from the case of the Danish West Indies. It analyses the role that these Caribbean colonies played within the inter-imperial microregion of the Leeward Islands during the century from 1730 to 1830. The case study is structured around three central elements of colonial life – geography, security, and commerce – showing how these created the conditions for a high level of interdependence between colonies of multiple empires in the region.

Keywords

Atlantic historycomparative empiresDanish empiremicroregionalismtransnational networks
Type
Articles
Information
Journal of Global History , Volume 8 , Issue 1 , March 2013 , pp. 72 - 94
Copyright
Copyright © Cambridge University Press 2013 

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Footnotes

*

Helpful comments on various incarnations of this article came from Lauren Benton, Jane Burbank, Frederick Cooper, Nadim Bawalsa, and Tony Andersson; from participants at the Configurations of Empires conference at New York University; from two anonymous readers; and from the editors of the Journal of Global History – I am thankful for all of them. Any errors are mine alone.

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