Publication
Title
Sweet and sour economic turmoil and resilience of the sugar sector in Antwerp and Rotterdam, 1795-1815
Author
Abstract
The recurrent wars of 1795-1815 coincided with numerous regime changes. Like many other port cities, Antwerp and Rotterdam faced unrest and economic insecurity, not least caused by Napoleon's Continental Blockade in 1806. Historical accounts tend to stress the deteriorating conditions for the business world resulting from the restrictions in maritime trade. This article will focus on how sugar traders and sugar refiners faced difficulties, which strategies they applied to overcome crises, and whether they were successful in their attempts or not. The highly remunerative strategies of redirection, diversification and specialisation were sustained by networks; networks that provided the necessary information, furthered the spreading of risk and enabled merchants to profit from new solutions or opportunities. Resilience was boosted further by the growing domestic market that was willing to pay high prices for a luxury item such as sugar. Above all, the affluent businessmen and larger firms managed to weather the times of crises particularly well.
Language
English
Source (journal)
Bijdragen en mededelingen betreffende de geschiedenis der Nederlanden. - 's-Gravenhage, 1969, currens
Publication
's-Gravenhage : Nederlands Historisch Genootschap , 2018
ISSN
0165-0505 [print]
2211-2898 [online]
DOI
10.18352/BMGN-LCHR.10546
Volume/pages
133 :2 (2018) , p. 3-26
ISI
000436512500002
Full text (Publisher's DOI)
Full text (open access)
UAntwerpen
Faculty/Department
Research group
Publication type
Subject
Affiliation
Publications with a UAntwerp address
External links
Web of Science
Record
Identifier
Creation 02.08.2018
Last edited 02.10.2024
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