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Sugar Dbq

Decent Essays
Sugar DBQ

During the sixteenth through the eighteenth centuries the sugar trade was driven by high consumer demand, and the slave trade. Sugar was so high in consumer demand and addicting that in certain areas an average person would consume sixteen pounds a year. Evidence of this is shown in document G. The document conveys the annual per capita consumption ( in pounds ) from the year 1700 to the year 1770 in England. When analyzing document C, readers realize that the high amount of consumption is due to sugar’s highly addictive property. This document written by Benjamin Moseley, M.D. in the year 1800 states, “¬¬¬The increased consumption of sugar, and increasing demand for it, exceeded all comparison with any other article,
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Another consequence of the slave life is shown in document k. “It is to the cheapness of the labour of these poor people that those costly and extensive works, which are necessary in a sugr plantation are derived.” Slaves were not paid for their labor, slaves only had an original price when sold to a master, after that slaves worked without pay. However slaves were not the only ones who lived with consequences. Document E explains the health consequences for consuming sugar. “Children greatly injure their gums and teeth by eating sugar, and sweet things, whereas (cavity filled) teeth and corroded gums are most evidently owing to improper food for children.” Sugar if consumed too much, could affect the health of children and most likely adults as well. All in all, the sugar trade had consequences which included slavery and the health of the general public.
In conclusion, The sugar trade was most successful due to the high consumer demand and the slave trade. This is shown by the evidence of sugar’s addictive properties and its easy use as a sweetener with certain goods. However sugar does have its health and slavery issues, not allowing Africans and other slaves to live they life they
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