Sugar cane played a significant role in the Columbian Exchange and unfortunately contributed to the growth of the American slave trade. The origins of sugar cane can be traced back to Polynesia, where small pieces would often wash up on foreign shores and thrive. This explains how it spread to China, India, and other places (Hobhouse 44). The production of refined sugar began near modern Funchal, Portugal in 1432. Eventually, vineyards would replace sugar crops as the Europeans had cleared most of the islands’ woodlands needed for growing sugar cane. Sugar was introduced in the Caribbean shortly after Columbus arrived in 1492 (51).
By 1530, there may have been over twelve sugar plantations in the West Indies, utilizing imported animals, imported machinery, and imported laborers in a novel agricultural venture in a distant continent with a lucrative market (52). The favorable tropical climate made it ideal for cultivating sugar cane, justifying the hefty investment required for settlement. The Caribbean settlers cultivated various types of tropical plants, but sugar was the most profitable, given its addictiveness and increasing demand (52).
Before Christopher Columbus introduced sugar cane to the Caribbean, sugar was considered a luxury item. It was primarily sourced by Europeans from apothecaries, who used it to enhance the taste of medication. However, in the 16th century, the expansion of cane-growing plantations in tropical American forests led to Europe’s increasing dependence on sugar (Columbian 27).
In 1514, Bartolome Las Casas acquired a plot of land in the Spanish colony of Cuba. The indigenous people who were conquered preferred death over enslavement. Las Casas suggested using African slaves instead, as they were known to work willingly. This marked the beginning of the transatlantic slave trade (Hobhouse 57). However, by 1548, Las Casas had a change of heart and initiated a campaign in Spain against the very practice he had initiated (57). Las Casas was eventually forgotten, and it took two centuries for slavery and the slave trade to be vigorously questioned and ultimately abolished. By then, sugar had become the most valuable commodity in global trade (58). As of 1600, Spain remained the sole European country producing sugar in substantial quantities (55).
The tropical island of Barbados, once a British colony, had an ideal climate for growing sugar cane. From 1660 to 1670, Barbados dominated the sugar production industry. However, this success eventually came to a halt when deforestation and land depletion occurred. The demanding and monotonous nature of cultivating sugar cane made slavery inevitable. Instead of using plows, pits were cleared and young plants or stem cuttings were planted to minimize the need for manual labor. This was exhausting work for white individuals in the scorching sun. Harvesting, crushing, and boiling the cane into sugar was even more challenging due to the intense heat. With no means of cooling in the sugarhouse, temperatures would soar up to 140F during the day and well over 120F near the vat at night. The high humidity further added to these grueling conditions. It became evident that this labor-intensive task was better suited for black individuals, whether they were enslaved or free men. This marked a significant historical moment where one race was exclusively selected for servitude.
The triangular trade, which took place after 1680, offered a speedy path to wealth (67). It encompassed voyages from Europe to Africa, then from Africa to the Americas, and finally back to Europe (68). However, the Middle Passage was an extremely harsh journey that led to the death of 10-20% of enslaved individuals onboard. During this passage, adult men were chained together and subjected to unsanitary conditions for up to three months (68). The combination of putrid smells, confinement, fear of the unknown, inability to communicate, and encounters with unfamiliar white men all added to the already dreadful experience at sea. These factors help clarify why many people perished during the journey regardless of the captain’s skill or crew’s consideration and competence or how easy the passage was (68). Ultimately, this horrific experience contributed to the growth of a massive industry – the slave trade.
In 1801, the sugar addiction caused more deaths than the present drug trade, but there is a difference. The drug trade kills its users, while the sugar trade mostly killed slaves (63).
Europe experienced the introduction of coffee, tea, and cocoa as new choices for the wealthy. These beverages offered an alternative to alcohol, which had never been accessible before. However, all three drinks were considered harsh and frequently bitter. It was argued that they needed to be consumed with sugar (64). Consequently, there was a significant rise in the demand for sugar trade.
The sugar cane brought to the Americas as a result of the Columbian exchange had a significant effect on the Caribbean and the slave trade. The tropical environment made it easy to cultivate sugar crops, which were in high demand due to their addictive nature. Consequently, African-Negroes were exclusively used for the first time in a servile role (63). This high demand for sugar played a crucial role in the expansion of the slave industry.
