Capital-labor separation predated and enabled Britain’s copper and brass industries

Evidence

In the British copper and brass industry that developed in the 1560s, large capital investments were necessary for opening and developing the mining shafts, smelting the ore, producing brass wire, and flattening ingots. Since neither the workers nor any single capitalist had the necessary funds, capital was supplied by English and German shareholders—members of the nobility, clergy, state officials, and merchants. Separation of worker and capitalist was thus a prerequisite for the start of this industry. — Carolyn Merchant, The Death of Nature, 708

Categorization

• XREF: connects to: Slave-created colonial wealth financed British commercial and industrial growth

Broader Connections

• Slave-created colonial wealth financed British commercial and industrial growth #complicates (0.75)