Drugs Labor And Colonial Expansion

Download or read book Drugs, Labor, and Colonial Expansion written by William R. Jankowiak and published by University of Arizona Press. This book was released on 2003-10 with total page 262 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: "The authors show that drugs possessed characteristics that made them a particularly effective means for propagating trade or increasing the extent and intensity of labor. In the early stages of European expansion, drugs were introduced to draw people, quite literally, into relations of dependency with European trade partners. Over time, the drugs used to intensify the amount and duration of labor shifted from alcohol, opium, and marijuana - which were used to overcome the drudgery and discomfort of physical labor - to caffeine-based stimulants, which provided a more alert workforce."--BOOK JACKET.