David McNally discusses his book, Slavery and Capitalism: A New Marxist History. Prof. McNally offers the first systematic Marxist account of the capitalist character of Atlantic slavery. By using colonial travel literature, enslaver records, and slave narratives he makes the case that enslaved labor in the plantation system established a modern capitalist working class constantly fighting for their freedom.

David McNally is the NEH Cullen Distinguished Professor of History and Business at the University of Houston.