Event

The Department of History presents its "Sixth Staff Seminar" as part of its Staff Seminar Series for Semester II, 2014-2015.  Dr. Gelien Matthews will present on the topic “Sugar Casualty – The US in Antigua Since World War II.” 

This event takes place at 10am. 

Abstract 

For almost 300 years, sugar monopolized Antigua’s economy. By mid-nineteenth century, however, sugar fortunes declined leaving the island in economic doldrums. Into this gloom entered the USA. Historians interrogate this history by examining the economic benefits accompanying the American servicemen during World War II. Others criticize America’s hegemonic role during the war. The leading scholar on wartime Antigua, Susan Lowes, questions the supplanting of Winthropes Village by the American bases.   Whilst these studies are far reaching, this paper is crucial to an understanding of America’s contribution to the marginalization of Antigua’s sugar industry.