Genoese Entrepreneurship and the Asiento Slave Trade, 1650–1700

This book explores the transformative role of Genoese entrepreneurs in the 17th-century slave trade, particularly focusing on Domenico Grillo's influential business network.

This book reconstructs the previously overlooked role of Genoese entrepreneurs in reshaping the trans-imperial and intra-American slave trade to Spanish America. It delves into the global histories of the 17th-century slave trade, early modern capitalism, and the dynamics of empire. By focusing on the contributions of these merchants, the author provides a nuanced perspective that extends beyond traditional narratives centered on Northern European mercantilism.

The narrative centers around Domenico Grillo, a prominent Genoese merchant whose business network flourished between the 1650s and 1680s. Grillo's interests spanned from the Mediterranean to Pacific South America, connecting various trading routes across the Spanish, Dutch, and English Atlantics. His innovative business model, characterized by monopolistic asientos, laid the groundwork for the exploitation of the slave trade, influencing subsequent generations of traders from different European nations.

Genoese Entrepreneurship and the Asiento Slave Trade, 1650–1700 offers a connected history that challenges established perspectives on early modern capitalism and empire. By examining the intricate relationships and economic practices of these entrepreneurs, the book reveals how their contributions disrupted traditional narratives of the Rise of the West. This study is essential for students and scholars interested in the diverse geographies and agents of trade in the Atlantic world.