The Sugar Revolution

Name: Jordan Anthony Parnell

Subject: Caribbean History

Candidate Number: 1000152640

Centre: 100015

Territory: Jamaica

Teacher: Ms. McFarlane

Year: 2017
 Table of Contents

Theme

Research Question & Rationale

Aims

Chapter 1

 Causes of the Sugar Revolution

Chapter 2

 Effects of the Sugar Revolution

1. Economic Effect

2. Political Effect

3. Social Effect

Conclusion

Bibliography

Appendix
 Theme

The Theme or Topic Of this S.B.A. is The Sugar Revolution of the British West Indies in

the 18th Century.

 Research Question

Between 1643 and 1748, In the British West Indies, Why was sugar introduced by Britain to

the British West Indies, and what are causes and effects of the Sugar Revolution? Commented [T1]: THIS IS DEFINITELY NOT A RESEARCH
QUESTION

Rationale

The researcher has chosen this topic mainly to examine the change from tobacco to sugar

because it is broadly known that the 18th century changed the entire landscape pf the British

West Indies. This S.B.A. will explain:- Commented [T2]: THIS IS NOT A RATIONALE

1. The Causes of the Sugar Revolution in the 18th century

2. The Effects of the Sugar Revolution in the 18th century

PLEASE SEE ME
 Aims

The 3 Main Aims of this S.B.A. are to:

1. Discuss why sugar was introduced by the Britain in the British West Indies.

2. Examine the Causes of the Sugar Revolution in the 18th Century.

3. Analyze the Effects of the Sugar Revolution in the 18th Century.

 Chapter 1
Causes of the Sugar Revolution

Throughout the early years of settlement in the West Indies, tobacco was the main

agricultural crop. Wherever sugar was planted at all it was in minor quantities (Alan C. Burns

1997).Fairly a few factors accounted for the Sugar Revolution. Tobacco, the crop on which

the economy of the British West Indies was founded, was on the decline. West Indian

tobacco could not compete with Virginian tobacco or tobacco from Venezuela, so there was a

fall in prices (Alan C. Burns 1997).Therefore, there was less demand for tobacco and many

small farmers exited tobacco production, also tobacco became unprofitable in the British

West Indies. Therefore tobacco was abandoned.

In 1627, Virginia was able to ship nearly 500,000 pounds of tobacco to England while St.

Kitts and Barbados combined could only ship 100,000 pounds (Greenwood, R. & Hamber, S.

(2008) (Please Refer to the table showing the production of sugar in tons by each territory

between 1741 and 1745 in Appendix). Virginia didn’t only have the benefit of size but of

quality. As the demand for tobacco in England increased, Virginia was able to meet the

demand easily. The demand for West Indian tobacco fell because it failed to expand its output

and the quality was inferior. The combination of the West Indian and Virginian tobacco

created a glut in the market which unfavourably affected prices and profits. Competition also

came from the Dutch trading tobacco in Venezuela and Curacao (Greenwood, R. & Hamber,

S. 2008).

Accordingly, the price of West Indian tobacco fell and many small farmers went out of

production. Another force at work was the rising demand for sugar in Europe (Alan C.

Burns). Social customs were varying in Europe at the time. The introduction of coffee and tea
from the newly colonized India and the Far East created a demand for a sweetener less

expensive than honey, which was used at the time. Attention was focused on cane sugar.

Cane Sugar was a lot of profit to be gained from sugar production. The increase for demand

in sugar provided a stimulus for its introduction and expansion in the British West Indies. It

was readily accepted as a substitute crop to tobacco and their hard work were supported by

the Dutch.

In 1640, the Dutch came to the islands and brought with them their expertise in sugar

cultivation. They provided capital, labour, transportation and markets for the young industry.

They arrived at a time when the tobacco economy was facing problems to teach the

inhabitants the secrets of sugar cultivation and production (Alan C. Burns 1997).The Dutch

Contribution was so great that it can be said that they made the change possible. The change

to sugarcane cultivation mainly because the Spanish were the first to provide sugar in the

Caribbean. However, it was the British who first began the serious production of sugar in

Barbados in the 1620s. The Dutch were also called the Foster Fathers of the British and

French colonies by supplying all the essentials for sugar production (Alan C. Burns 1997).
 Chapter 2
Effects of the Sugar Revolution
Economic Effect

The change from tobacco to sugar cultivation strongly modified the challenge for

agriculture in the British West Indies. Among the changes resulting from the change were

adjustments for the social and economic lives of the tobacco farmers and political fabric of

the islands. A change in the economic structure produced a consistent change in the labour

supply. Sugar required large plantations and crowds of cheap labour. The increase of the

sugar industry was the signal for lack of small farmers

Political Effect
Social Effect
Conclusion
Bibliography
Books
Greenwood, R. & Hamber, S. (2008) Amerindians to Africans, Macmillan Caribbean England
Beckles, H. & Sheperd, V. (2004) Liberties Lost, Cambridge University press Jamaica
Williams, Eric. (1944) Capitalism & Slavery, Ian Randle Publishers Kingston
Alan C. Burns (1997) History of the British Caribbean,

Websites
http://missmango.wikispaces.com/9+a.+The+Sugar+Revolution
http://www.scribd.com/doc/51122465/The-Sugar-Revolution#
http://www.google.com.vc/url?sa=t&rct=j&q=&esrc=s&source=web&cd=1&sqi=2&ved=0C
CQQFjAA&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.macmillan-
caribbean.com%2Fuploads%2Faa209150-89b7-45c0-b7da-
18e38b194374_CSEC%2520History%2520Book%25201.pdf&ei=d1LXUsm_LufRsAT32oG
gAQ&usg=AFQjCNEkpcHq2X_5WZ-7-5E5Um0dXsZxtw&bvm=bv.59568121,d.cWc
Appendix
 Sugar production in the Caribbean
Territory Output(annual average tons )
1741-45 1766-70
British 41043 80285
French 64675 77923
Dutch 9210 10126
Spanish 2000 10000
Danish 730 8230
Table 1: Showing production of sugar in tons by each territory between 1741-45 and 1766-

70. (Beckles and Sheperd, 2004)