The Sugar

Revolution


The sugar revolution was the fall of tobacco and

the rise of sugar cane cultivation in the Caribbean
This transformation was caused by a fall in
tobacco sales leading to the need for a new crop.
During the 17th century, Europe needed a
sweetner, hence the colonizers chose to move
from tobacco to sugar.

Reasons for change

from tobacco and
sugar

 Competition

.West Indian Tobacco could not compete

neither in quantity nor in quality with that of
the American colony of Virginia.

 Use as Sweetener
The introduction of tea and coffee to Europe
resulted in a greater demand for
commodities to sweeten these products
 Commercial
Viability
.The production of sugar also presented no
real transportation problems as sugar was
not too bulky to be transported on the small
ships of the time.

 Shelf Life
Sugar was non-perishable, which meant it
did not risk spoilage during the long voyages.
 Dutch
Assistance
The English colonists readily accepted sugar as an
alternative crop due to the efforts of the Dutch. The Dutch
were expelled from Brazil by the Portuguese which led to
tremendous economic losses. In order to regain these
losses the Dutch supplied the English with the know how
to produce sugar
Consequences of the
Sugar Revolution

 Larger Estates
Tobacco was produced on relatively
small plots. These plots were much to
small to cultivate sugar. Hence, small
estates adjacent to larger ones were
acquired
Racial Composition
of the Islands
Many of the whites who worked on the
tobacco plantations found new work as
innkeepers or clerks, while others returned
to the United States and Europe.
.

African Slave Labour

Sugar cultivation required a large disciplined
workforce. The importation of negroes from
Africa began, and this was the start of the
TRANS-ATLANTIC slave trade.
 Interest from Mother
Countries
The cultivation of sugar also increased the wealth to
be obtained from the West Indies. This led to a
change in in the system of governing the West Indies.
The islands had previously been neglected by the
British. However their recent profitability caused the
British to bring their islands in the West Indies under
closer control
"Sugar Revolution” should only be applied to
the change from tobacco to sugar
cultivation which took place:

In the mid to late seventeenth century

In the eastern Caribbean islands belonging

to the English and French

Where the monoculture of sugar became

the rule

Where the social changes were equally

revolutionary

THHANK YOU!
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