J.H. Elliot, Empires of the Atlantic World: Britain and Spain in American 1492-1830. New Haven: Yale University Press, 2006.

Any historian who takes on the endeavor of writing a comparative history faces an extremely complicated task, regardless of the field of study. Many problems arise in the comparison of inherently different entities and there are numerous advantages and disadvantages to the implementation of this strategy. J.H. Elliot tackles this undertaking head-on, using the introduction to admit the numerous problems presented to him. Elliot uses this work to spark debate on well-researched, familiar topics and to call for changes to contemporary approaches to comparative history. Elliot’s thesis is ultimately contained in the idea that the British and Spanish empires were not two-self contained cultural worlds, rather two empires that were aware of each other while operating in the same transatlantic sphere, and that their histories are truly intertwined.

Before comparing Spanish American to British America and vice versa, Elliot uses the introduction to establish his framework and rationale for the work. Elliot points out the numerous technical problems of imperial historians, such as division and lack of collaboration between scholars, examining differences more than similarities, and falling into established stereotypes and patterns by using a teleological view. To remedy these problems, Elliot calls on imperial historians to equally evaluate points of similarity and difference, as well as incorporating a narrow focus in a transatlantic construction. A narrow focus is needed due to the seemingly infinite variables presented during the colonial period. Some examples are varying geographies, climates, native policies, imperial priorities, religions, and dates of colonization. For this work, Elliot focuses on the development of settlements and their relationship to the appropriate crown. By centering on New England and Virginia in British America, Spanish possessions in Iberian America, European ancestries, and the continental mainland, it becomes easier to intertwine the fabric of each empire. Here in lies the inherent problem with comparative history.

Omission of other influences can truly discredit any comparative imperial history. It is impossible to view truly pure connections between two empires because of the immense amount of variables presented. If one looks at the development of towns in New Spain and New England, one cannot simply pick five similar influences as a basis for comparison. While British America benefitted from the older institutions of Spanish America, it could not have influenced it in any pure form. The Portuguese, French, and Dutch influenced the British as much as they did the Spanish, and also influenced each in their own, unique ways. It is therefore folly to simply reduce the realm of the New World to the strongest and most influential powers. However, to include each of these empires would be a seemingly impossible undertaking as well, as the complexity of each layer being added would damage the validity of the content as well. Comparative history is useful in fleshing out certain aspects between groups, but is incapable of doing justice to something as large as an empire.

Empires of the Atlantic World is a large book, but Elliot is able to narrow his focus into three parts: occupation, consolidation, and emancipation. In each part, Elliot uses thematic chapters. Comparisons of British America and Spanish America are made throughout each chapter and are juggled back and forth moving to a new thought, much like a baton passed between runners. At the end of work, Elliot concludes his history with an epilogue which adequately summarizes the main themes of the book. The true masterpiece of the volume may be seen in the bibliography which encompasses twenty-percent of the total page count. As large as the book is, it is a fairly quick read that can be understood by lay and scholarly readers alike with its ability to simplify a very complex subject.

In regard to the concept of transatlantic history, Elliot strengthens the argument of connectivity across the Atlantic Ocean. In regard to the development of settlements, Elliot argues that European heritage is as important as any environmental factor. The westward influences of new technology, movements such as the Enlightenment, religious reform, and imperial policy play a substantial role in growth of New World settlements. Elliot also pushes the importance of eastward Atlantic trade in shaping imperial policy and the people who emigrated across the ocean. Unfortunately, this interconnectivity discounts Africa, which seems to be a stepchild of transatlantic thought. Empires of the Atlantic World‘s biggest contribution to transatlantic history may be through the compilation of sources in the one-hundred page bibliography, which can serve as a starting place for imperial comparative historians.