Empires that bleed -- Capitalism, slavery on imperial hinterlands -- Between war and peace -- The wealth of empires -- Spanish secessions -- Brazilian counterpoints -- Dissolutions of the Spanish Atlantic -- Crossing the Rubicon -- Revolution and sovereignty

Introduction. The colonial Cul de Sac -- Province and colony -- Production and investment -- Humanity and interest -- War and profit -- Husband and wife -- Revolution and cultivation -- Evacuation and indemnity -- Epilogue