Sugar developed into the leading slave-produced commodity in the Americas. The number of slaves brought to the tiny island of Haiti equaled more than twice the number imported into the United States. The vast majority came during the 18th century to work in the expanding sugar plantation economy.

How did sugar shape the economy of the Americas?

Sugar developed into the leading slave-produced commodity in the Americas. The number of slaves brought to the tiny island of Haiti equaled more than twice the number imported into the United States. The vast majority came during the 18th century to work in the expanding sugar plantation economy.

How did slaves make sugar?

When the cane was ripe, the enslaved workers cut the sugar cane by hand with broad curved machetes and loaded the stems onto carts. Mills were slow and inefficient so during the harvesting season the slaves worked in the mill and boiling house 24 hours a day to process the crop.

How many slaves were usually needed on a sugar plantation?

In 1832, the median-size plantation in Jamaica had about 150 slaves, and nearly one of every four bondsmen lived on units that had at least 250 slaves.

How many slaves were on the Whitney Plantation?

350 African slaves

How would slaves revolt in a covert way?

Breaking tools, feigning illness, staging slowdowns, and committing acts of arson and sabotage–all were forms of resistance and expression of slaves’ alienation from their masters. Running away was another form of resistance.

What was the sugar trade?

Sugar slavery was the key component in what historians call The Trade Triangle, a network whereby slaves were sent to work on New World plantations, the product of their labor was sent to a European capital to be sold and other goods were brought to Africa to purchase more slaves.

Why was life on the plantation so hard?

On the plantation slaves continued their harsh existence, as growing sugar was gruelling work. Gangs of slaves, consisting of men, women, children and the elderly worked from dawn until dusk under the orders of a white overseer.

What is an example of covert resistance to slavery?

Covert forms of slave resistance often involved resisting work. Individual slaves would pretend to be too sick to work or groups of slaves would “slow down” their work. Because the slaves were in collusion, it was difficult if not impossible to ascribe blame to any one individual with work slowdowns.

How did Sugar impact the new world?

It was synonymous with the institution of slavery. Secondly, the sugar production system had a cultural impact on Native Americans as well. The sugar production prospered in the Caribbean Islands. Therefore, the New World became a place where the culinary traditions of many different cultures merged.