The Sugar Plantation
History:
Sugarcane traveled from China in the 10th Century to the Western world. It was brought to Brazil by the Portuguese in 1654. It then moved to Jamaica, Santo Domingo, Martinique, Guadeloupe and Dutch Curaçao. By 1680 sugar production in the West Indies had begun. Sugar was initially a luxury item in Europe, but and demand grew and production increased it become much more commonplace.
Development:
Sugar production grew at alarming rates, mirroring the English "engines" that existed in London, especially in the large labor force that sugar production demanded. Santo Domingo, one of the smaller islands, produced 70,000, or roughly 50 Kilos per year during the 18th century. These plantations were an early version of vertical consolidation; they were both farms and factories. However, the final refining process often occurred in Europe, which caused conflict between the refiners and the growers on the other side of the pond.
Image Sources:
http://www.poster.net/zachary-alexander/zachary-alexander-the-west-indies-2406553.jpg
