5/10 - Trade and Finance. Conférence Slavery, Resistance and Democracy.

The conference presentations offer a nuanced and well-researched examination of the often-overlooked Swiss and European involvement in the slave trade and colonial economies. Each speaker grounds their arguments in primary sources, such as business correspondence, account books, and company archives, lending credibility to their claims. Zangger’s meticulous analysis of the P. Blumer and Yenni archive provides concrete evidence of Swiss textile merchants’ participation in the Brazilian slave trade, including long-term credit arrangements and partnerships with known slave traders. Bormann’s focus on David de Purry illustrates the global reach of Swiss financial networks and their role in Portuguese colonial ventures. Naef’s research on London financiers further underscores the international dimension of these economic activities. The presentations are well-structured and accessible, though they assume a certain familiarity with the historical context. The discussion of sources is transparent, with clear references to archival materials. However, the lack of a formal Q&A or critical commentary limits the depth of engagement with potential counterarguments. Overall, the panel provides valuable insights into the economic history of slavery and colonialism, contributing to a more comprehensive understanding of Switzerland’s historical role. The title accurately reflects the content, and the presentations are of high scholarly quality.

The title accurately reflects the panel's focus on trade and finance in the context of slavery, resistance, and democracy.

8/10

The conference features three academic presentations based on archival research, with references to primary sources and historical records. The speakers are established researchers, and the content is scholarly, though not peer-reviewed in this format.

Markers derived by PSI from the transcript: the creator did not define chapters.

• 02:00Introduction by chair Sandra Bott, welcoming speakers and setting the stage.
• 05:00Andreas Zangger begins his presentation on Swiss involvement in the Brazilian slave trade.
• 15:00Zangger discusses the America Commission and its instructions to merchants in Rio de Janeiro.
• 30:00Zangger presents evidence from P. Blumer and Yenni's archives, including accounts with slave trader Domingos Gomez Bellow.
• 45:00Ricardo Bormann begins his talk on David de Purry and Swiss financial networks in Portuguese colonialism.
• 1:00:00Alain Naef presents on London financiers and the Portuguese Atlantic slave economy.
• 1:15:00Concluding remarks and thanks to the audience.

• P. Blumer and Yenni archive — Archival records used by Andreas Zangger to document Swiss textile exports to Brazil.
• Neuchâtel Faconiz project — Research project mentioned by Ricardo Bormann at the University of Neuchâtel.

• Swiss participation in the transatlantic slave trade — Wikipedia article providing general context on Swiss involvement.