Essay on Sweetness and Power - 624 Words

By: YP Sweetness and Power: The Place of Sugar in Modern History Some of the most brilliant minds have made many unorthodox suggestions. This is the case with Sidney Mintzs thesis in Sweetness and Power: The Place of Modern History. Mintzs suggestions that industrial capitalism originated in the Caribbean sugar plantations may seem to contradict the European version of world history fed to most of the Western world, but is nevertheless supported by substantial evidence. In general, Western education has conditioned students to believe that everything productive originated in Europe. Mintz begins by explaining the process of obtaining granular sugar from the liquid extracted from the sugar cane. There was very significant sense of†¦show more content†¦As a consumer and lover of sugar, I have now given a considerable amount of thought to the sugar that I consumed so often. The extent to which the Caribbean people and land were exploited is unfathomable. When speaking of a plantation, Americans usually think and refer to the cotton plantations in the South. Even those Americans with roots in the Caribbean are completely unaware of the exploitation of their land and people. The long-term effects of this exploitation led to the underdevelopment of these Caribbean countries. These effects are still evident today as most of the Caribbean islands are labeled as Third World Countries. In addition, Mintz mentions the separation of the production from consumption. The Major consumers of sugar were not the hard workers on the plantation, but the far removed citizens of England. The plantation workers were not able to profit from the fruit of their land. They were forced to work under harsh conditions. Even after slavery ended, the workers were over-worked and under-appreciated just as factory workers were in the documented and established industrial societies Americans have been trained to visualize. Industrial capitalism involves an organization involving ownership, con trol and direction of production. This was what took place on sugar plantations in the Caribbean. Every worker had set duties and a unified goal of mass production of sugar at the most efficient rate. Mintz does anShow MoreRelatedSweetness and Power2050 Words   |  9 Pages#9;Sweetness and Power is a historical study of sugar and its affect on society and economy since it was first discovered. Sugar has had a large impact on society and the economy that is not noticeable unless thoroughly studied. The following is an analysis of the work done by Sidney W. Mintz in his attempt to enlighten the quot;educated laypersonquot;. #9;Mintz uses a very basic system for organizing the tremendous amount of data found within in the book. The book is divided into 5 chapters:Read More Sweetness and Power Essays610 Words   |  3 PagesSweetness and Power Sweetness and Power: The Place of Sugar in Modern History Some of the most brilliant minds have made many unorthodox suggestions. This is the case with Sidney Mintz’s thesis in Sweetness and Power: The Place of Modern History. Mintz’s suggestions that industrial capitalism originated in the Caribbean sugar plantations may seem to contradict the European version of world history fed to most of the Western world, but is nevertheless supported by substantial evidenceRead More Sweetness And Power Essay1968 Words   |  8 Pages amp;#9;Sweetness and Power is a historical study of sugar and its affect on society and economy since it was first discovered. Sugar has had a large impact on society and the economy that is not noticeable unless thoroughly studied. The following is an analysis of the work done by Sidney W. Mintz in his attempt to enlighten the amp;quot;educated laypersonamp;quot;. amp;#9;Mintz uses a very basic system for organizing the tremendous amount of data found within in the book. The book is dividedRead MoreSweetness and Power by Sidney Mintz873 Words   |  4 PagesSweetness and Power by Sidney Mintz This part basically focuses on how Mintz tries to tie together the disparate geographies from Northern Europe up to the Caribbean. It will be documented that Sweetness and Power by Sidney Mintz actually discusses and illuminates the economic and social history revolving around sugar consumption and production in Europe as well as its colonies, predominantly focusing on England. Mintz examines the structure of power, which made it probable for sugar to actuallyRead MoreSweetness And Power By Sidney Mintz898 Words   |  4 PagesSweetness and Power by Sidney Mintz explains the causes and effects of the use of sugar. 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Mintz discusses how the fall of sugar as a luxurious and exotic product to a necessity for the most common of the workingRead MoreHistory of Sugar1439 Words   |  6 PagesThe production of sugar has shaped our world throughout the centuries. From its humble beginning, to its royal induction it has now made a household name as a necessity. It has changed our society into sugar addicts wi th a never ending urge for sweetness. Production of this craving has lead to an over abundant consumption. Consumption so great that is has defined humans through culture and history. The journey has marked the path of this once less then famous compound into a substance that is inRead MoreRacism In Racism1214 Words   |  5 Pagesway blacks viewed themselves. While American society has come very far in terms of civil rights, unfortunately discrimination between blacks still continues. Lighter blacks consider themselves superior to darker ones. 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