From Silver to Cocaine: Latin American Commodity Chains and the Building of the World Economy, 1500-2000

Introduction : Commodity chains in theory and in Latin American history -- 1. The Spanish-American silver peso : export commodity and global money of the ancien regime, 1550-1800 -- 2. Indigo commodity chains in the Spanish and British empires, 1560-1860 -- 3. Mexican Cochineal and the European demand for American dyes, 1550-1850 -- 4. Colonial tobacco : key commodity of the Spanish empire, 1500-1800 -- 5. The Latin American coffee commodity chain : Brazil and Costa Rica -- 6. Trade regimes and the international sugar market, 1850-1980 : protectionism, subsidies, and regulation -- 7. The local and the global : internal and external factors in the development of Bahia's cacao sector -- 8. Banana boats and the baby food : the banana in U.S. history -- 9. The fertilizer commodity chains : Guano and nitrate, 1840-1930 -- 10. Brazil in the international rubber trade, 1870-1930 -- 11. Reports of its demise are not exaggerated : the life and times of Yucatecan Henequen -- 12. Cocaine in chains : the rise and demise of a global community commodity, 1860-1950 -- Conclusion : Commodity chains and globalization in historical perspective

Frontmatter -- Contents -- Introduction. Commodity Chains in Theory and in Latin American History -- 1 The Spanish-American Silver Peso: Export Commodity and Global Money of the Ancien Regime, 1550-1800 -- 2 Indigo Commodity Chains in the Spanish and British Empires, 1560-1860 -- 3 Mexican Cochineal and the European Demand for American Dyes, 1550-1850 -- 4 Colonial Tobacco: Key Commodity of the Spanish Empire, 1500-1800 -- 5 The Latin American Coffee Commodity Chain: Brazil and Costa Rica -- 6 Trade Regimes and the International Sugar Market, 1850-1980: Protectionism, Subsidies, and Regulation -- 7 The Local and the Global: Internal and External Factors in the Development of Bahia's Cacao Sector -- 8 Banana Boats and Baby Food: The Banana in U.S. History -- 9 The Fertilizer Commodity Chains: Guano and Nitrate, 1840-1930 -- 10 Brazil in the International Rubber Trade, 1870-1930 -- 11 Reports of Its Demise Are Not Exaggerated: The Life and Times of Yucatecan Henequen -- 12 Cocaine in Chains: The Rise and Demise of a Global Commodity, 1860-1950 -- Conclusion Commodity Chains and Globalization in Historical Perspective -- Contributors -- Index

Examining the commodity chains that have connected producers in Latin America with consumers around the world for 500 years, this work follows a specific commodity from its inception, through its development and transport, to its final destination in the hands of consumers