Introduction

In the Seventeenth century, both in the English and the lesser extent in the French Islands, a
change occurred in the basics cash crop. This change was so rapid and far-reaching that
‘revolutionary’ is a fitting word to describe it. The Sugar Revolution emerged. It was no that
sugar replaced tobacco as the chief crop, the population changed from white to black, the size of
landholdings changed and eventually the West Indies became the ‘the cockpit of Europe’. The
sugar revolution would not have been possible with the major contribution of the Dutch.
In each island, ‘revolution’ can be used to denote the startling economic, social and political
changes that occurred.
 Acknowledgement
This project was carried out successful du to help and assistant of the following persons.
The researcher is very thankful to them:
 God
 The Caribbean History Teacher
 My parents
 My Fellow Classmates
 Area of Research
“What were the circumstances which gave rise to the Sugar Revolution in the British West Indies
in the 17th Century?”
 Rationale
The Sugar Revolution brought a new era for the West Indies in the seventeenth century. This
research was carried out mainly to find out the causes of the sugar revolution, why was it not
difficult to change from tobacco to sugar, the parts played by the Dutch and the major effects of
the Sugar Revolution. Moreover, the wider society would know and have insights about the
background and history about sugar and the sugar revolution.
 Report
Sugar revolution refers to the rapid and extensive changes that took place from 1640 to 1650 in
the Lesser Antilles as a result of a change in the primary cash crop.
The main reasons why the Sugar Revolution rose were because the West Indian producers could
not compete with tobacco producers in Virginia who produced tobacco in vaster quantities and of
better quality. The combination of the West Indian and the Virginian tobacco created a glut on
the European market which adversely affected prices and profits. Sugar cane was a crop of
greater profitability than tobacco because there was a high demand for sweetener for tea and
coffee in Europe since, honey was expensive as a sweetener.
It was not very difficult to change from tobacco to sugar. The climate in the West Indies was
suitable for cultivating sugar cane. Sugar cane was a tropical crop and required tropical lands for
cultivation. The Caribbean was the perfect location. Also the soil was suitable. The soil in many
Caribbean islands were fertile and rich for the growth of sugar cane

Picture showing the Cultivation of Sugar Cane in Tropical Lands

The production of sugar posed no special transportation problems. This was because sugar was
not too bulky as a commodity to be transported economically in the small ships rather than a big
boat. There was a ready market for sugar in Europe. When producing any commodity a ready
market is always demanded. Due to sugar being in demand as a sweetener for tea and coffee, it
was demanded so, a ready market was available for the sugar. This also allowed a good price to
be obtained for sugar. Finally, it was very easy for the English and the French to change from
tobacco to sugar since their efforts were backed by the Dutch.
For the sugar revolution to have been successful, the Dutch intervention was important. The
major roles played by the Dutch were the Dutch defeated the Spaniards in two wars and so the
English and the French were allowed to settle in the Caribbean. The Spaniards held the
monopoly of the New World for centuries, so after they lost the war twice against the Dutch, the
English and French took advantage and settled in the West Indies. After being expelled from
Pernambuco, the Dutch brought their expertise and the African slaves to the Caribbean and so
the English and French were taught how to cultivate sugar cane. The Dutch previously used to
cultivate sugar in Brazil, but after they were overthrown, they took their skills and introduced in
to the English and French.
One of the major contributions from the Dutch was since they had control of the slave trade in
Africa, they supplied the English and French with labourers as sugar cane is a labour intensive
crop. Sugar required a lot of labour and they Dutch provided them with full supply of slaves
from Africa. This caused the introduction of the Trans-Atlantic slave trade.

Picture showing Slaves being transported by the Dutch

The Dutch also provided credit to the English and French for establishing factories and
purchasing machineries. A Dutch merchant would put up the capital on the security of the crop.
Finally, the Dutch bought the manufactured sugar and sold it in Europe, providing a ready
market for the product.

Picture showing the Transport of Sugar from the West Indies to Europe
The Sugar Revolution had some major effects in the West Indies. The major effects of the Sugar
Revolution were amalgamation of plots, the increasing number of blacks, monoculture and
absenteeism.
Firstly, one of the major effects was amalgamation of the plots. Many small plots owned by
small farmers were joined into large estates. Since tobacco was not into production in the New
World, the farmers were forced to sell their small plots. The plots were amalgamated thus the
price of lands rapidly increased.
Secondly, there was an increasing in the Black’s population. There were thousands of Blacks
opposing Whites. The Blacks were brought in as slaves to work in the Sugar plantation since
sugar is a labour intensive crop that required a large labour force. The Black population was
constantly increasing. This resulted in something the Whites feared the most, a slave rebellion.

Picture showing the increased of the Black to White Ratio

Thirdly, monoculture was practiced. Sugar was the only crop that the French and English
concentrated on and they did not cultivate any other crop for themselves. They relied on the
Europe for food. Sugar was in high demand and was very profitable and successful, so the
planters focused mainly on sugar. This was a dangerous foundation for their economies and
would eventually lead to much distress.
Lastly, absenteeism was practiced. The planters would go to Europe and have authority to look
after the sugar plantation. Such were the profits from sugar that many of the richer planters were
able to return to England, set up residence and live off the proceeds of their West Indian estates.
Absenteeism was practiced because of the many push factors. These included undesirable
climate and also living next to slaves presented the planters with moral difficulties. Also this
caused the change of the governing systems of many of the colonies.
 Conclusion
It will be remained forever as a history and a tale to be told. The Sugar Revolution changed the
West Indies. It was because of this phenomenon, the Caribbean Society we all know is in
existence. Diversity was introduced, political systems were introduced and last but not least,
sugar cane cultivation was introduced which remains to be the main economic activities in many
of the countries.
 Bibliography
 Beckles, Hilary McD & Shepherd, Verene A. – Liberties Lost- The Indigenous
Caribbean and Slave Systems.
 Greenwood, Robert & Hamben, Shirley revised by Dyde, Brian- Caribbean
Certified History Book 1-Amerindian to Africans.
 Halcrow, Elizabeth M. (1982.) - Canes and chains. - (Heinemann CXC history; 3)