As defined by Fredrick H. Smith in his novel, Caribbean Rum: A Social and Economic History, rum is “the potable alcoholic beverage obtained by distilling sugarcane juice and the waste products of sugar making” (Smith 1). Imported African slaves on the islands of the Caribbean discovered the distillation of the by- product, molasses, into rum. At first, it was thought to be industrial waste; however, quickly after, it became a global phenomenon, which rapidly amped up the economies of several islands. Several attributes of rum developed “from its ability to provide a temporary respite from the challenges of everyday life in the region;” therefore, contributing to the reconfiguration of drinking patterns among both the European colonists and …show more content…
In regards to international trading, “sugar has always required a large capital investment” (Ortiz 2). Specifically, Cuba has taken part in the grand success of the sugar industry. It is an industry filled with importing and exporting all different services and goods. The importation of “machinery, workers, and capital” allowed for the expansion of more sugarcane plantations, slaves, greater investments and reserves that led to higher exports of sugar and molasses (Ortiz 62). This all generated positive revenue for the economy. In Haiti, author Finbarr O’Reilly wrote that the Barbancourt Estate that specializes in rum distillation is “what keeps this tiny, abandoned raft of a country on the map” (O’Reilly). Although these are just two examples of how the industry has benefited the economy of the Caribbean Islands, the main contribution of the sugar industry and its by-product, in terms of my essay, revolve around the several cultural implications it …show more content…
Although it was associated with economic status and spiritual ways of escape, it was also viewed as means of harm to certain groups. Drinking alcoholic beverages led to drunken vulnerability among all sectors of society. It temporary lowered innate defenses that exposed individuals to all sorts of dangers. A theme arose from the excess use of alcohol in the Caribbean: vulnerable-while-drunk theme. It was presented throughout several different pieces of Caribbean folklore, which exposed images of individuals drunken beyond repair. (Smith) The original function of alcohol has greatly changed over the past few centuries leading to a new drinking culture. However, these types of drinking habits were not just present throughout the Caribbean, but in fact all over the
In doc. 1, a map is shown. This map shows all of the islands and larger land masses that are perfect for the growing of sugarcane in central America. Many countries decided to take advantage of this and made central America the capital of the sugar trade. Thousands of plantations took root and out of them came the flourishing sugar trade. Without the fertile land, the trade would never have started and because of the land, the sugar trade was driven forward to become an enormous industry. To continue, in document 2 it shows just how perfect the land was for growing sugar cane. The climates of two islands, Jamaica and Barbados are almost exactly alike to the ideal climate for growing. In that same region there were tens of more islands, all perfect for growing sugar. Without this perfect land and climate, the sugar trade would never have developed or driven forward and without the sugar trade, England would never have become the global empire that it
During particular time periods whichever product rose to popularity, whether it be cotton, rum, tobacco, or sugar, became the means of buying and selling or trading. Two major products that the people of the “new world” depended on during the early colonial times were tobacco and sugar. Both Virginia and the Caribbean were able to be successful and bloom due to these two major products. Virginia and the Caribbean had many similarities as well as differences on how they changed economically and socially due to tobacco and sugar plantations.
Alcoholism is one of our nation’s largest social issues to date, and carries with it many negative aspects, the most dire being death at the hands of this disease. Alcohol and alcoholism have been part of societies for centuries. This habit was brought over to the new world when the first settlers landed on the shores of what was to become America. Furthermore, in bringing alcohol to this new land an entire nation of Native American Indians were introduced to a product that has affected them more negatively than any other to date, and continues to suffer from today and probably well into the future.
818189 The “Engine” of the Sugar Trade Over one generation in Britain, the consumption of sugar quadrupled, sending a shockwave to the economy. This was during the eighteenth century, when sugar was being produced at a fast rate as sugar cane was being harvested and processed in the Caribbean by slaves from Africa, then being shipped to Britain to meet the high demand of the British. The “engine” behind the trade of this sugar was the combined force of Britain’s demand for the sugar, the ever growing slave trade, and the money invested by British people.
Due to the efforts to colonize the Caribbean islands, by 1750 they were almost all owned by Spain, France, or England, meaning these countries now had access to and control over this area that they did not previously; they took advantage of this newfound power (Doc 1). Sugar requires a specific climate to grow plentifully (i.e. 68°-90°F) and this was something the Caribbean islands provided the Europeans with; if European countries had not had taken control in the Caribbean islands the sugar industry would not have survived (Doc 2). At this time, the Caribbean islands were the only location that the Europeans had access to that provided the correct climate. The landscape was ideal and led to a high crop yield and without it the consumers would be at a loss (Doc 8). Through the 1700s and into the 1800s, in Barbados, Jamaica, Saint-Domingue, and Cuba, sugar production rates escalated, but this vast increase was made possible only by the natural conditions of the Caribbean islands (Doc 10).
The sugar trade succeeded due to the increasing demand for the product, along with the advent of European colonization of the Caribbean, and the use of slavery as an efficient workforce. The rise in demand for sugar was partially a result of the addictive properties it had, which caused people to want more of it. The islands on which the Europeans were colonizing were ideal for the growth of cane sugar, the plant that is processed into the finished sugar product. With the use of slaves, the production of sugar was happening at a much quicker and cheaper rate than before, thus creating more sugar to supply the demand. During the sixteenth century, the Europeans colonized the Caribbean islands, which were perfect for running sugar plantations.
The Caribbean region in the late eighteenth century was exploited in many ways: plantations altering any financial potential and cruel oppressors exploiting natives and slaves to keep the “Old World” linked to the “New World.” Full of pirates, slave rebellions, and involved in multiple wars including the Nine Years’ War and the Seven Years’ War. They were home to many plays for profit, the easiest of which was smuggling. The causes and responses to smuggling were all around the same, all that matters was whom the smugglers were working for, and whose funds were being subverted by said smuggling.
Two of the islands which were best fit for cane sugar’s growth were Jamaica and Barbados (Doc. 2). Their soil and yearly temperature made it so that growing the crop was easier to do. During the heyday of the sugar trade, both Jamaica and Barbados were under English rule (Doc. 1). Due to their connection with England, some of the most successful plantations were run by Englishmen. One of these Englishmen was Charles Long, who at the time, held the largest amount of Jamaican land of any English plantation owner (Doc. 7). He and others took advantage of the ideal climate of the area, making the sugar trade thrive. As plantation owners were getting wealthier, the demand for sugar was also on the
The cause and effects of the Haitian Revolution have played, and continue to play, a major role in the history of the Caribbean. During the time of this rebellion, slavery was a large institution throughout the Caribbean. The success of the sugar and other plantations was based on the large slave labor forces. Without these forces, Saint Domingue, the island with the largest sugar production, and the rest of the Caribbean, would face the threat of losing a profitable industry.
It was the largest producer of sugar, and also the most valuable sugar producing colony, with much as eighty-eight thousand tons of sugar were being processed annually. In addition to the massive amounts of sugar being produced in Haiti, it was also a large producer of a variety of other commodities, one of which being coffee which it produced about thirty-seven thousand tons annually. Even further, the commodities that were being exported from Haiti totalled approximately one third of France’s external commerce. Moreover, a tremendous amount of the sugar that was being consumed in France came from Haiti. However, it was not exclusively France who was indulging on the commodities being produced and exported here, as the United States had participated as well. As a matter of fact, about all of the sugar and other commodities, such as molasses, that was being consumed in the United States had been imported from Haiti. The mass production of all the commodities did not happen by itself, but rather it happened due to the intensive labour of the slave population.
As a result, Mintz completely transformed my ideas on industrial capitalism. As a consumer and lover of sugar, I have now given a considerable amount of thought to the sugar that I consumed so often. The extent to which the Caribbean people and land were exploited is unfathomable. When speaking of a “plantation”, Americans usually think and refer to the cotton plantations in the South. Even those Americans with roots in the Caribbean are completely unaware of the exploitation of their land and people. The long-term effects of this exploitation led to the underdevelopment of these Caribbean countries. These effects are still evident today as most of the Caribbean islands are labeled as “Third World Countries”.
A. What is your good or service and how does it relate to your hometown? i. Cuba is a small island in the middle of the Caribbean where the climate is best for growing Sugarcane. The taste of sugarcane is affected by the soil and weather where it grows and is also essential to the making of rum. ii.
By the early 18th century, with the peace treaty in place, Jamaica began to build vast amounts of sugar plantations. Sugar became the main export to England. Second, and not far behind, was slave trade. Jamaica’s location in the heart of the Caribbean Sea made it an ideal port for harboring slaves until they were needed to sell. This enabled Jamaica to be one of the British crown’s most lucrative assets (Encyclopedia Americana, 2001, P 673).
Alcohol has been the lifeblood of civilization dating thousands of years back in time, and it is clear to see the culture impact it has made throughout history. People perceive alcohol in many different ways; depending on gender, age, religious background, or social upbringing. Throughout history alcohol has affected different cultures and various demographics. It has been a source of pleasure and aesthetic in many cultures, along with being one of the oldest rites of passage, especially in modern day American society. Alcohol and drinking were also an integral part of religious observances throughout history and culture. The use of alcohol can be seen as a social lubricant, and besides being a thirst quencher, it can play a pivotal role
Since the arrival of Europeans the Caribbean islands have been going through constant change. The loss of native peoples and the introduction of the plantation system had immediate and permanent reprocussions on the islands. The Plantation system set up a society which consisted of a large, captive lower class and a powerful, wealthy upper class. As the plantation systems became successful labor was needed in order to progress. Slavery became the answer to the problem. Slavery played an important role in the how the economy changed the islands because there was a