Economic Activities Of The Spanish Flashcards
Sugar Cane Industry
Hispaniola became the first center of the Caribbean sugar cane industry.
Two types of mills used in sugar cane industry
water mill- the power/energy of the water was harnessed to crush the sugar cane
cattle mill- cattle like cows were used
wind mill- used later on though
Profits made from sugar cane
the profits made from sugar cane were average at this point in time
CATTLE RANCHING and Leather Industry
cattle ranching was an important part of the community in Cuba, Jamaica, etc. They were allowed to roam freely.
Cattle Ranching and LEATHER INDUSTRY
leather was in demand in Europe and the Caribbean. Hides were sold in England and other European countries. They became self-sufficient in beef and this helped to solve their food problems.
What are hides?
In the leather trade, the term hide refers to the skin of large animals like cattle
Tobacco industry
The Spanish also grew tobacco for export. Caribbean tobacco soon dominated the European market, and to this day, Cuban tobacco is still rated among the best in the world.
Farming Industry
They learned about maize and cassava and the encomoderos implemented it in their diet. producing cash crops of tobacco and cotton with the labor of a few servants and slaves
Change from Logwood to Mahogany- PART 1
- In the 18th century logwood trade became affected by European fashions.
- New methods of dyeing cloth meant that dyers could use cheaper raw materials.
- Furniture makers in Europe were turned away from using wood such as walnut to MAHOGANY.
- There was an abundance of mahogany in Honduras but it was difficult to ship and alot more skill was needed to cut it.
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Change from Logwood to Mahogany- PART 1
- In the 18th century logwood trade became affected by European fashions.
- New methods of dyeing cloth meant that dyers could use cheaper raw materials.
- Furniture makers in Europe were turned away from using wood such as walnut to MAHOGANY.
Change from Logwood to Mahogany- PART 2
- There was an abundance of mahogany in Honduras but it was difficult to ship and a lot more skill was needed to cut it.
- Because of the difficulties in cutting these trees they used slave labour.
- They needed mahogany “gangs” of up to 50 men to cut the trees.
Within the mahogany “gang”
huntsmen-
found the trees
slaves-
felled the trees; cut them into logs and cleared a road to the rivers during the dry season they used oxen carts to transport them to the river
Process of the mahogany “gang”
First, the slaves felled the trees and cut them into logs and cleared a road to the rivers, the legs were marked with the owner’s name and was floated down to the river harbour. They would often stack the logs on the ship. The slaves worked 6 days a week.
Relationship between slaves and their master in mahogany “gangs” versus their relationship on a sugar plantation.
Some slaves were treated well as there was a closer ‘bond’ between the master and the slave there than on the sugar plantations. Slaves that were too weak were freed, others bought their freedom.
There was a violent and more cruel relationship on the sugar plantation. There were severe whippings..even domestic slaves were beaten.
Manumission
release from slavery.
freeing in the master’s will of a devoted servant after long years of service.
