Cotton Capitalists
American Jewish Entrepreneurship in the Reconstruction Era
By Michael R. Cohen | Publisher: NYU Press
About the book
Honorable Mention, 2019 Saul Viener Book Prize, given by the American Jewish Historical Society
A vivid history of the American Jewish merchants who concentrated in the nation’s most important economic sector
In the nineteenth century, Jewish merchants created a thriving niche economy in the United States’ most important industry—cotton—positioning themselves at the forefront of expansion during the Reconstruction Era. Jewish success in the cotton industry was transformative for both Jewish communities and their development, and for the broader economic restructuring of the South. Cotton Capitalists analyzes this niche economy and reveals its origins. Michael R. Cohen argues that Jewish merchants’ status as a minority fueled their success by fostering ethnic networks of trust. Trust in the nineteenth century was the cornerstone of economic transactions, and this trust was largely fostered by ethnicity. Much as money flowed along ethnic lines between Anglo-American banks, Jewish merchants in the Gulf South used their own ethnic ties with other Jewish-owned firms in New York, as well as Jewish investors across the globe, to capitalize their businesses. They relied on these family connections to direct Northern credit and goods to the war-torn South, avoiding the constraints of the anti-Jewish prejudices which had previously denied them access to credit, allowing them to survive economic downturns.
These American Jewish merchants reveal that ethnicity matters in the development of global capitalism. Ethnic minorities are and have frequently been at the forefront of entrepreneurship, finding innovative ways to expand narrow sectors of the economy. While this was certainly the case for Jews, it has also been true for other immigrant groups more broadly. The story of Jews in the American cotton trade is far more than the story of American Jewish success and integration—it is the story of the role of ethnicity in the development of global capitalism.
Editions of Cotton Capitalists
- AltFormat
- ISBN 9781479879700
Read an Excerpt
Honorable Mention, 2019 Saul Viener Book Prize, given by the American Jewish Historical Society
A vivid history of the American Jewish merchants who concentrated in the nation’s most important economic sector
In the nineteenth century, Jewish merchants created a thriving niche economy in the United States’ most important industry—cotton—positioning themselves at the forefront of expansion during the Reconstruction Era. Jewish success in the cotton industry was transformative for both Jewish communities and their development, and for the broader economic restructuring of the South. Cotton Capitalists analyzes this niche economy and reveals its origins. Michael R. Cohen argues that Jewish merchants’ status as a minority fueled their success by fostering ethnic networks of trust. Trust in the nineteenth century was the cornerstone of economic transactions, and this trust was largely fostered by ethnicity. Much as money flowed along ethnic lines between Anglo-American banks, Jewish merchants in the Gulf South used their own ethnic ties with other Jewish-owned firms in New York, as well as Jewish investors across the globe, to capitalize their businesses. They relied on these family connections to direct Northern credit and goods to the war-torn South, avoiding the constraints of the anti-Jewish prejudices which had previously denied them access to credit, allowing them to survive economic downturns.
These American Jewish merchants reveal that ethnicity matters in the development of global capitalism. Ethnic minorities are and have frequently been at the forefront of entrepreneurship, finding innovative ways to expand narrow sectors of the economy. While this was certainly the case for Jews, it has also been true for other immigrant groups more broadly. The story of Jews in the American cotton trade is far more than the story of American Jewish success and integration—it is the story of the role of ethnicity in the development of global capitalism.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Cotton Capitalists about?
Honorable Mention, 2019 Saul Viener Book Prize, given by the American Jewish Historical Society
A vivid history of the American Jewish merchants who concentrated in the nation’s most important economic sector
In the nineteenth century, Jewish merchants created a thriving niche economy in the United States’ most important industry—cotton—positioning themselves at the forefront of expansion during the Reconstruction Era. Jewish success in the cotton industry was transformative for both Jewish communities and their development, and for the broader economic restructuring of the South. Cotton Capitalists analyzes this niche economy and reveals its origins. Michael R. Cohen argues that Jewish merchants’ status as a minority fueled their success by fostering ethnic networks of trust. Trust in the nineteenth century was the cornerstone of economic transactions, and this trust was largely fostered by ethnicity. Much as money flowed along ethnic lines between Anglo-American banks, Jewish merchants in the Gulf South used their own ethnic ties with other Jewish-owned firms in New York, as well as Jewish investors across the globe, to capitalize their businesses. They relied on these family connections to direct Northern credit and goods to the war-torn South, avoiding the constraints of the anti-Jewish prejudices which had previously denied them access to credit, allowing them to survive economic downturns.
These American Jewish merchants reveal that ethnicity matters in the development of global capitalism. Ethnic minorities are and have frequently been at the forefront of entrepreneurship, finding innovative ways to expand narrow sectors of the economy. While this was certainly the case for Jews, it has also been true for other immigrant groups more broadly. The story of Jews in the American cotton trade is far more than the story of American Jewish success and integration—it is the story of the role of ethnicity in the development of global capitalism.
What core themes, tropes, or subjects are explored in Cotton Capitalists?
History and Archaeology > History > History: specific events and topics > Social and cultural history
Where can I read a sample of Cotton Capitalists?
You can read an official preview of the few pages here https://www.book2look.com/book/9781479879700
How long is Cotton Capitalists and how many pages does it have?
Cotton Capitalists has 288 page(s)
Is Cotton Capitalists part of a series, and can it be read as a standalone?
Yes it is a part of series Goldstein-Goren Series in American Jewish Studies
Who is/are the Author/s of the book Cotton Capitalists?
Michael R. Cohen
Who is the Publisher of the book Cotton Capitalists?
NYU Press
What are the ISBN numbers for the physical and digital editions?
Cotton Capitalists is available as altformat(ISBN 9781479879700)
Where can I buy Cotton Capitalists online or support local independent bookshops?
You can buy Cotton Capitalists from below
Where can I buy Cotton Capitalists?