Ben Franklin's world is a production of the

Omaha Institute. Hello and welcome to episode 293 of Ben Franklin's world.

The podcast dedicated to helping you learn more about how the people and

events of our early American past

have shaped the present day world we live in. And I'm your host, Liz Kovart.

In 1655, Oliver Cromwell, the Lord Protector of England during England's Commonwealth period,

launched an assault against a Spanish in the Spanish West Indies.

Known as the Western design, this assault sought to increase England's power in the Americas

by challenging Spain supremacy in the Caribbean.

Now one of England's successes in this challenge was the acquisition of the Spanish colony of Jamaica.

Over time, Jamaica would become the crown jewel of Great Britain's Atlantic Empire

as its wealthiest and biggest slaveholding colony.

How did Jamaica grow to become the crown jewel of the British Atlantic world?

Part of the answer is that Jamaica's women became some of the most ardent and best supporters of the island's practice of slavery.

Christine Walker, an assistant professor of history at the Yale and US College in Singapore,

and the author of the award-winning book,

Jamaica Ladies, Female Slaveholders,

and the creation of Britain's Atlantic Empire,

leads us on an investigation of female slaveholdership

in 17th and 18th century Jamaica.

Now during our investigation, Christine reveals how England came to possess and colonize Jamaica.

Why the Voices and Lives of women and people of color must be

...