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Trade and Empire

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  • Kris James Mitchener
  • Marc Weidenmier

Abstract

We employ a new database of over 21,000 bilateral trade observations from 1870–1913 to assess the contemporaneous effects of empire on trade. Our analysis shows that belonging to an empire roughly doubled trade relative to those countries that were not part of an empire. The use of a common language, the establishment of currency unions, the monetisation of recently acquired colonies, and the establishment of preferential trade agreements and customs unions help to account for the observed increase in trade associated with empire.

Suggested Citation

  • Kris James Mitchener & Marc Weidenmier, 2008. "Trade and Empire," Economic Journal, Royal Economic Society, vol. 118(533), pages 1805-1834, November.
    • Handle: RePEc:wly:econjl:v:118:y:2008:i:533:p:1805-1834
    DOI: 10.1111/j.1468-0297.2008.02192.x
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    4. Christopher David Absell, 2023. "British slave emancipation and the demand for Brazilian sugar," Cliometrica, Journal of Historical Economics and Econometric History, Association Française de Cliométrie (AFC), vol. 17(1), pages 125-154, January.

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