10 Questions
What was the primary reason for the rise in demand for sugar cane in the West Indies?
Tea and coffee from India became popular, increasing the demand for a sweetener.
Which of the following was NOT a way in which the Dutch assisted the sugar revolution in the British West Indies?
Providing the initial sugar cane seedlings to the British planters.
Based on the definition provided in the text, what is the key characteristic of a 'revolution'?
It is a sudden, rapid, and far-reaching change that impacts a society.
What was the primary reason for the West Indies sugar market being more accessible than alternative sugar producers in India?
The West Indies had a more established trade route via the trans-Atlantic voyage.
What does the text imply was the primary role of African slaves in the sugar revolution?
Providing labor on the sugar cane plantations.
What was the primary reason for the decline of tobacco production in the British West Indies (BWI) in the 17th century?
Competition from Virginia's larger quantities and better quality tobacco due to their virgin land
Which of the following was NOT a factor that initially favored tobacco cultivation in the British West Indies?
Tobacco required substantial start-up capital for specialized equipment
What was the primary reason for sugarcane being chosen to replace tobacco as the main cash crop in the British West Indies?
The demand for sugar in Europe was increasing due to its use in confectioneries
Which of the following statements about tobacco is NOT true?
Tobacco was a perishable crop that could not survive the journey to Europe
How did the Dutch assist the British sugar revolution in the British West Indies?
The question does not provide enough information to determine the Dutch role
Study Notes
Tobacco as a Cash Crop
- Tobacco is an American plant rich in nicotine, cured through drying and fermentation for smoking and chewing purposes.
- British settlers first encountered tobacco through indigenous people who used it for religious and recreational purposes.
- Tobacco was in high demand, fashionable, and popular in Europe, non-perishable, and easy to ship.
- Production required little land (around 10 acres), labour (usually just a farmer and their family), and start-up capital (no special equipment needed).
Decline of Tobacco
- Tobacco production in the BWI began to decline in the 17th century due to competition from Virginia (US) where it was produced in larger quantities and better quality.
- The Dutch in Araya, Venezuela, and Curacao also competed with BWI tobacco.
- BWI tobacco was of poorer quality and higher prices, leading to its decline.
Rise of Sugar Cane
- Sugarcane is a bamboo-like tropical grass with a fibrous interior, from which juice is extracted to make sugar.
- The West Indies had the appropriate tropical climate to grow sugarcane, making it a suitable replacement for tobacco.
- The Dutch assisted the British sugar revolution by providing expertise, capital, and labour (African slaves) and handled the sale of sugar.
The Dutch Contribution
- The Dutch provided expertise acquired from living in the Portuguese sugar-producing colony of Brazil.
- They sent 50 sugar plantation labourers from Brazil to Barbados in 1643.
- The Dutch provided funding required for land, machinery, and labour (African slaves) purchases.
The Sugar Revolution
- A sugar revolution is a rapid and far-reaching change in the major cash crop of the West Indies, from tobacco to sugarcane, which took place in the seventeenth century.
- The sugar revolution was caused by a sudden, rapid, and far-reaching change in the cash crop, leading to a significant impact on society.
Test your knowledge on the Sugar Revolution and Rise of Tobacco in the British West Indies. Questions cover topics such as the decline of tobacco, the shift to sugarcane, and the role of the Dutch in the sugar revolution.
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