The Bitterness of SugarHow sweetness led to slavery

Do you know?There’s something you eat

every day, that is the reason the system of slavery existed in America. Can you name what it is?

From Magic to SpiceTraced back to New Guinea as early as 9000

BCSugar Cane first appeared in China in 200AD

and spread across to Egypt

From Magic to Spice

Used as an offering in religious and magical ceremonies First written record of sugar Used to burn in fire to communicate with gods

When placed in fire, priests noticed it would crystalize and harden

From Magic to Spice

In 600s, doctors at Jundi Shapur (prestigious university) writing about medicine from India named sharkara – sugar

Jundi Shapur pulled in people from all over the world – the word about sugar spread Soon those cooking for the wealthiest started

using it as a spice

The Spread of Sugar

With the spread of Islam, sugar reached greater even more people and lands

Eventually made its way to Europe Could not produce their own spices A series of wars and fairs brought in new spices

– sugar among themMuslims raised the sugar, sold to Italians who

took it further into Europe

The Travels of Sugar

The Problem with Sugar Cane

Two problems growing large amounts of sugar cane1. Time2. Fire

Instant cane is sliced, sweet mass inside starts to harden

Must get cane into boiling water within 48 hours

Preferably 24

The Solution to Sugar Cane Problem

Create a system with army of workers Swarm through fields cutting

the cane Haul piles to be crushed into

a syrup that flows into boiling room

Group responsible for cutting and supplying wood for fire

Working around the clock, cook and clean bubbling liquid Sweetest syrup makes

sweetest sugar

The Solution to Sugar Cane Problem

Plantation Exists to produce only one product New approach

Normally farms have variety and support owners Instead, machine designed to satisfy just one

craving of buyers potentially thousands of miles away

Needed ideal locations Rich soil to support growth Close to water to ship to countries quickly Filled with trees ready to be cut down

The Solution to Sugar Cane Problem

Tropical islands met these requirements Found in their search for trade routes to Asia

Used slaves to build army of workers Originally prisoners of war and native people

Not strong enough to withstand the heat of the islands and grueling work

Bartholomew de Las Casas, Spanish priest, suggested bringing in Africans Wanted to protect natives Africans perceived to be hard-working, strong,

resilient, excellent in agriculture and adapted to tropical climate

The Solution of Slavery

Unpaid workforceLittle regard for health of worker

Grueling work 14 – 18 hour days Deplorable living conditions

Serves as model for others Dehumanized Africans Created justification since “others” were doing

it

Slavery Begins in the New World

Colonists setting up in New World and recognize need for cheap labor

Need help setting up towns First slaves arrive in Jamestown, VA in 1619

Triangular Slave TradeFirst Leg

Left Europe headed to Africa Ships carried supplies for sale and trade

Second leg Cargo was sold or bartered for slaves Slaves taken through Middle Passage from Africa to

the New World (Caribbean or Americas)Third leg

Slaves sold in Caribbean or Americas Picked up goods to send to Europe

Caribbean – sugar, rum and molasses New World – tobacco and other crops

Triangular Slave Trade