Question

Explain the ways that the production of sugar during the colonial period of the Americas changed the social landscape across the world.

Answer 1

Answer :- Britishers used to called sugarcane as a white gold and it was regarded as engine of the slave trade which brought millions of african to America in early 16 th century for cultivation of sugarcane. It was cash crop for European superpowers. Even it helped America to get freedom of british rule due to the profit from sugarcane production. Europeans were taking massive profit from sugar coming for eastern colonies. Spanish colonizers snatch some seeds from Columbus field in Dominican Republic and planted it in burgeoning Caribbean colonies. During the mid century Portuguese brought it to Brazil and later on it went to British, Dutch and French colonies such as Haiti, Barbados. Sugar was significant source of income for new settlers in America.

Early settlers then realized that they were lacking manpower for harvesting and cultivation of sugarcane. It was 1505 when slave ship started arriving America which continued for more than 300 years. Most of the slave came from Africa. Sugar slavery was the main part of Trade triangle that was a network where slaves where sent to colonies for sugar plantation all the profit goes to European superpower . More goods ( mirror, guns, bullets, comb) were sent to Africa for purchase of more african slaves. Sugar used to account almost one third of European economy during these three centuries and it was essential commodity for trade. Britain lost 13 American colonies as it's military was engage protecting sugar islands. After opposed of slave working in South America and Caribbean resulted in decrease of European owners. Britisher were in fear for revolt. Sizable Military troops in West Indies to protect sugar fields let Britain left the country in 1763 after the war for 7 years. King George III give up Caribbean sugar islands to France to protect major part of North America.