Sugar Expansion explores the captivating yet brutal history of sugar, a commodity that transformed from a luxury to a ubiquitous ingredient, fueling empires and reshaping global economies. This book delves into the economic and historical forces behind sugar production, revealing how the plantation system, reliant on slave labor, profoundly impacted social structures and fueled the transatlantic slave trade. Understanding sugar's past provides insights into the formation of modern capitalism and global inequality, illustrating how the demand for sugar spurred innovation while perpetuating systems of oppression.
The book methodically progresses across chapters, starting with the origins of sugar cultivation and its spread from Asia to Europe. It details the establishment of sugar plantations in the Americas, the transatlantic slave trade, and the economic structures that supported this system. Later sections examine the industrialization of sugar production, the rise of beet sugar, and shifting global consumption patterns.
By drawing upon archival sources and quantitative data, Sugar Expansion offers a nuanced perspective on the complex interplay between economic incentives, political power, and human suffering.
