Barbados and the Rise of Sugar

From Alexander Pope’s Rape of the Lock 117 'Twas then Belinda, if report say true, 118 Thy eyes first open'd on a Billet-doux; 119 Wounds, Charms, and Ardors, were no sooner read, 120 But all the Vision vanish'd from thy head. 121 And now, unveil'd, the Toilet stands display'd, 122 Each silver Vase in mystic order laid. 123 First, robe'd in white, the nymph intent adores 124 With head uncover'd, the Cosmetic pow'rs. 125 A heav'nly Image in the glass appears, 126 To that she bends, to that her eyes she rears; 127 Th'inferior Priestess, at her altar's side, 128 Trembling, begins the sacred rites of Pride. 129 Unnumber'd treasures ope at once, and here 130 The various off'rings of the world appear; 131 From each she nicely culls with curious toil, 132 And decks the Goddess with the glitt'ring spoil. 133 This casket India's glowing gems unlocks, 134 And all Arabia breathes from yonder box. 135 The Tortoise here and Elephant unite, 136 Transform'd to combs, the speckled, and the white. 137 Here files of pins extend their shining rows, 138 Puffs, Powders, Patches, Bibles, Billet-doux. 139 Now awful Beauty puts on all its arms; 140 The fair each moment rises in her charms, 141 Repairs her smiles, awakens ev'ry grace, 142 And calls forth all the wonders of her face; 143 Sees by degrees a purer blush arise, 144 And keener lightnings quicken in her eyes.

Barbados Tiny island of 166 square miles Tiny island of 166 square miles East of Lesser Antilles islands wracked by violence of inter-colonial rivalry East of Lesser Antilles islands wracked by violence of inter-colonial rivalry Less mountainous Less mountainous No indigenous inhabitants left No indigenous inhabitants left

Indentured Servants Five years labor to pay off transatlantic passage Five years labor to pay off transatlantic passage Received 10 pound freedom dues upon completion of service, usually in provisions, clothing and tools Received 10 pound freedom dues upon completion of service, usually in provisions, clothing and tools Contemptuously known by masters as “white slaves” Contemptuously known by masters as “white slaves” Often supplemented by political prisoners and criminals Often supplemented by political prisoners and criminals

Racial solidarity and Whiteness Planters wanted a more permanent labor force Planters wanted a more permanent labor force Servants could escape Servants could escape Served only for 5 years Served only for 5 years Parliament began to protect rights of white laborers Parliament began to protect rights of white laborers Price of African slaves fell from 35 pounds in 1635 to 20 pounds in 1645 Price of African slaves fell from 35 pounds in 1635 to 20 pounds in 1645

Population of Barbados indentured servants 200 African slaves indentured servants 20,000 slaves

New World Sugar Output ,000 tons ,000 tons

Price of Sugar in England Pounds/ton Pounds/ton

Sugar consumption in England per capita lb lb lb

Slave imports to English Caribbean , , ,800

Richard Ligon and African Women “A Negro of the greatest beautie and majestie together that I ever saw in one woman. Her stature large, and excellently shap’t, well favour’d, full eye’d, & admirably grac’t “A Negro of the greatest beautie and majestie together that I ever saw in one woman. Her stature large, and excellently shap’t, well favour’d, full eye’d, & admirably grac’t “[I] awaited her coming out, which was with far greater majesy, and gracefulness, then I have seen Queen Anne, descend from the Chaire of State (203) “[I] awaited her coming out, which was with far greater majesy, and gracefulness, then I have seen Queen Anne, descend from the Chaire of State (203)

Cape Verde Virgins “there appeared to our view, many pretie young Negro Virgins, playing about a Well... Creatures, of such shapes, as would have puzzel’d Albert Durer, the great Master of Proportion “there appeared to our view, many pretie young Negro Virgins, playing about a Well... Creatures, of such shapes, as would have puzzel’d Albert Durer, the great Master of Proportion “yet a word or two, would not be amisse, to express the difference between these and those of high. Africa as of Morcoco, Guinny, Binny, Cutchchow, Angola, Ethiopia, and Mauritania, or those that dwell near the river Gambiai, who are thick lipt, short nosd, and commonly low foreheads “yet a word or two, would not be amisse, to express the difference between these and those of high. Africa as of Morcoco, Guinny, Binny, Cutchchow, Angola, Ethiopia, and Mauritania, or those that dwell near the river Gambiai, who are thick lipt, short nosd, and commonly low foreheads

Compare descriptions on free Negroes black and green so well becoming on another 212 (choosing wives) Pickaninny