What Drove the Sugar Trade?

What Drove the Sugar Trade?

            Today, sugar is an alleged necessity. We have a colossal amount of sugar in our diets every day. We put sugar on our already sugary cereals, in our lunches there is usually a “treat” of a rice crispy treat or brownie, and yes, chocolate milk has sugar. Some soda for a snack, a few kit kats, hot chocolate to keep us warm, sugared yams and cake for dinner.  We consider a day without sugar, a day not done. (At least I do). But little do we know that a while back, you couldn’t buy a candy bar, or let alone a bag of sugar at the store. What drove the sugar trade? I do believe that what drove the sugar trade consists of the following: Land and climate, consumer demand, and complementary goods.

            In order for sugar to grow to its full goodness, it is ideal to have 68-90’ F, 80-90 inches of rain each year, and volcanic or alluvial soil that is sandy/silt/clay. Two Caribbean Islands fit the deal pretty well. Jamaica’s temperature is primarily 68-86 F., has a clay/silt/sand mix, and has generally 77 inches per year.  The temperature in the Barbados ranges from 72-86 F., has clay/sand mix, and has about 60 inches of rain each year (Doc 2). The British own both of those islands (Doc 1). The way that the islands could get money would be to sell the sugar, but even better! They could trade it for things that they needed! But first, people would want it.

            Everyone has somewhat of a sweet tooth. Who doesn’t love a little sugar every now and then? Since we have it at the tips of our tongues, we take it for granted. But in 1846, sugar was limited. So much so, that children would lick the bottom of the barrels that it was transported in (Doc 3). In Britain alone from 1700-1770 the sugar jumped from 4.6 pounds per capita per year to 16.2 pounds per capita per year.  The more that was imported, the more the consumption rocketed (Doc 5). How are they eating all this sugar?

            Sugar goes good with everything. Correct me if I’m wrong. Did you know that chocolate is bitter on its own? That alone would have a huge impact in trade. Chocolate is delectable. A list of all of the things that sugar goes well with would be forever stretching. One thing that sugar goes great with (at least I hear it goes great with, I never have had any) is tea. Tea is and has been the most popular nonalcoholic beverage in the UK (Doc 4). Everything tastes awe-inspiring with sugar in it. So much better than when it is plain. So, That’s why I think that complementary goods drove the sugar trade.

            In finale, I would just like to say that these are the reasons that drove the sugar trade. They all add on to each other, there had to be land to grow the sugar on, people had to want to purchase it, and they had to have a reason to obtain it.