African and European Bound Labor in the British New World: The Biological Consequences of Economic Choices

B-Tier
Journal: Journal of Economic History
Year: 1997
Volume: 57
Issue: 1
Pages: 83-115

Authors (2)

Coelho, Philip R. P. (Ball State University) McGuire, Robert A. (not in RePEc)

Score contribution per author:

1.009 = (α=2.02 / 2 authors) × 1.0x B-tier

α: calibrated so average coauthorship-adjusted count equals average raw count

Abstract

This article offers an explanation for the regional differences in the use of African and European bound labor in colonial America. The migrations of Africans and Europeans to the Americas set in motion an evolutionary process that caused regional changes in the disease ecology of the New World. Biological and epidemiological differences among populations explain the different regional labor supply choices. This article emphasizes the interactions between changing populations and disease environments. Diseases are intermediaries through which populations interact by causing illness and death. Not all populations are equally afflicted by specific diseases. Therein lies the story.

Technical Details

RePEc Handle
repec:cup:jechis:v:57:y:1997:i:01:p:83-115_01
Journal Field
Economic History
Author Count
2
Added to Database
2026-01-25