10 Questions
What is described as a 'revolutionary' change in the seventeenth century in the English and French islands?
The change from tobacco to sugar as the chief cash crop.
Which island experienced the sugar revolution most rapidly between 1640 and 1650?
Barbados
What were some of the key changes brought about by the sugar revolution?
Population changed from white to black, landholding sizes changed, and the West Indies became a key area of conflict in Europe.
What caused the decline of tobacco in the Lesser Antilles, leading to the shift towards sugar cultivation?
Competition from Virginia tobacco
Why is the term 'revolution' used to describe the economic changes in each island during the sugar revolution?
To denote the startling economic, social, and political transformations that occurred.
What factors led to the decline of the West Indian tobacco crop?
Slow expansion of output, inferior quality, and competition from Dutch traders in Venezuela and Curaçao.
How did sugar become the most important item of transatlantic trade?
Sugar was able to compete as a high-value condiment with spices from the east and quickly became a valuable commodity in transatlantic trade.
What was the impact of the rise of sugar trade on maritime commercial activities?
The rise of sugar trade led to the infamous slave trade as demand for labor increased in sugar plantations.
How did the discovery of sugar extraction method in India impact Europe?
The discovery of sugar extraction method in India led to the introduction of sugar-cane to the eastern Mediterranean by the Persians and eventually to Europe by the Arabs.
Why did sugar become a high-demand commodity in Europe by the sixteenth century?
Sugar's popularity in Europe by the sixteenth century was due to its status as an exotic condiment on par with spices from south-east Asia.
Explore the transformative impact of the sugar revolution in the 17th century on the English and French islands, leading to significant changes in cash crops, population demographics, and land ownership. Understand how this revolution reshaped the Lesser Antilles region.
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