Theme 2 Handout
The Sugar Revolution
This was a change from tobacco to sugar and the consequences of its introduction
on a large scale in the Caribbean in the 17th century. It began in Barbados in 16440
and was completed by 1650.
Causes of the Sugar Revolution
1. For a long time, tobacco from the West Indies had been preferred. However, by
the 17c., tobacco from the West Indies was facing competition from tobacco from
Virginia in North America, which was superior in quality and quantity.
2. The journey to Virginia was shorter and easier for European merchants.
3. There was an increasing demand for sugar in Europe to be used as a sweetener
for teas and in the manufacturing of sweets.
4. There was a glut on the market so the price of tobacco fell.
5. Failure of other crops in terms of profitability eg. Ginger and cotton
Differences between Sugar and Tobacco Cultivation
1. Tobacco could be grown successfully by small farmers on small landholdings
2. One man and his family could manage all the process of the manufacturing of
tobacco
3. Sugar production had to be grown on a large scale on large areas of land
4. Africans had to be brought in large numbers to work on sugar plantations.
Social changes:
1. The black population increased with the importation of African slaves to
produce sugar.
2. The white population decreased as the whites returned to Europe or moved onto
other islands because they did not want to work alongside the blacks.
3. Society changed from a free citizenry to a slave society as the Africans were
enslaved on the plantations and the small number of whites ruled society. ‘’Free’’
meant ‘’white’’’ and ‘’slave’’ meant ‘’black’’.
4. Social status was now determined by colour as new social groupings were
introduced.
Union Colour
White and black Mulatto
Black and mulatto Quadroon
Mulatto and white Sambo
Quadroon and white Mustee
Mustee and white Musteefino
Musteefino and white Quintoroon
5. Laws were introduced to define the relationships between master and slaves. Eg.
Deficiency Act, Code Noir, Siete Partidas and British Slave Codes.
6. A whole new culture was introduced- the African culture
7. Absenteeism (practice of owning land in one country but living in another)
became a feature of West Indian society as planters owned plantations in the West
Indies but lived in Europe.
Economic changes:
1. The price of land inflated as there was an increasing demand for land.
2. The number of landholders decreased. Small land owners were put out of
business and small plots of land could not accommodate the amount of sugarcane
necessary. Many small holdings were grouped together into large estates, under
the ownership of a rich planter.
3. The number of landholdings increased as sugar could only be grow
economically on large estates.
4. Monoculture (the concentration on the cultivation of a single crop) became the
backbone of the Caribbean economy as sugar became the main crop that was relied
upon. This was a dangerous foundation for the Caribbean economy which would
eventually lead to much distress.
5. Large amounts of capital were invested in the sugar industry. Most of this capital
was from the Mother country and soon many West Indian planters were indebted
to British bankers, investors and merchants.
6. England gained a lot of revenue from the sugar industry. Later she would use
much of this money to finance her Industrial Revolution.
Political changes:
1. Britain and France became major superpowers and the colonies were used as
pawns in their rivalry for supremacy.
2. The Old Representative System of Government replaced the Proprietorship
System of Government. The Old Representative System of Government had a
Governor and an Assembly. Barbados had its assembly set up in 1639. This was
the first Assembly to be established in the West Indies. The planter-class ruled the
assembly and made the decisions as they held many seats.
3. Laws were instituted to get rid of the Dutch: Navigation Acts and Mercantilism.
4. In the colonies the franchise (right to vote) was only given to persons who
owned a certain amount of land. The whites then were the only ones who could
vote and ultimately controlled the Assemblies.
