How Sugar Changed the World: Slavery, Freedom, and Science (2017) - The Best Documentary Ever

Mark Aronson and Marina Bhutto explore the profound influence of sugar on world history, discussing its role in the Atlantic slave trade and the Industrial Revolution. They share personal family stories linked to sugar, highlighting the substance's universal impact. The narrative begins with a world map, illustrating the far-reaching history of sugar from its origins to its influence on modern life.

The script delves into how sugarcane knowledge spread from New Guinea to India, where it was used in religious practices dedicated to the goddess Durga. It explains the evolution of the word for sugar from a term for sweetness to 'Chikara,' meaning gravel, reflecting the granulated appearance of sugar. The discussion also covers the spread of sugarcane via Alexander the Great's conquests and its use as a spice and sweetener in various cultures.

Sugar's status as a luxury item is contrasted with its modern perception as a staple. The establishment of the first medical college in Jundishapur, Iran, contributed to the growth of sugar knowledge. The narrative explains how sugar was once difficult to obtain and expensive, and how the concept of sugar plantations emerged, leading to the spread of sugar cultivation and processing techniques across the Mediterranean and eventually to the Americas.

The script discusses the role of Arabic numerals in the spread of sugar knowledge, as the Arabs introduced a decimal system that facilitated the exchange of information, including sugar production techniques. It also touches on the European resistance to Arabic knowledge and their unique path in sugar consumption, highlighting the contrast between the Arabic and European approaches to sugar and its integration into society.

The paragraph focuses on the processing of sugar cane, emphasizing the need for a timely process after cutting due to the cane's perishable nature. It discusses the development of the plantation system in the Arabic world, where large numbers of workers were employed to process sugar cane efficiently. The narrative also highlights the historical significance of sugar in the Mediterranean and the role of Christopher Columbus in bringing sugar cane to the Canary Islands.

This section details the expansion of sugar plantations in the Americas following Columbus's voyages, the conditions necessary for sugar production, and the reliance on enslaved workers for labor. It provides statistics on the transatlantic slave trade, revealing that the majority of enslaved Africans were sent to sugar lands, thus connecting the growth of the sugar industry to the brutal history of slavery and its impact on the world economy.

The paragraph describes the harsh working conditions on sugar plantations, including the physical labor and the relentless cycle of work. It connects the production of sugar to the Industrial Revolution in England, where factory workers relied on sugar, tea, and coffee to maintain their energy. The narrative also explores the increase in sugar consumption and its transformation into a staple commodity, highlighting the human cost behind the affordable price of sugar.

The script discusses the reasons behind the increased consumption of sugar as its price dropped, linking it to the shift in England from farm work to factory work and the need for energy-boosting foods. It also touches on the role of sugar in the American Revolution and the French Revolution, illustrating how sugar's influence extended to political and social upheavals of the time.

This section covers the Haitian Revolution and its effect on Napoleon's plans for sugar production, leading to the Louisiana Purchase from France by the United States. It also discusses the aftermath of Haiti's independence and the subsequent migration of former slave owners to Louisiana, where sugar production continued to be deadly for workers, resulting in a high mortality rate among enslaved laborers.

The paragraph explores the cultural heritage that emerged from the sugar lands, including music and dance, as a form of expression and resistance. It also discusses the abolition movement in England, which successfully ended slavery in the British Empire by raising awareness of the human cost associated with sugar consumption. The narrative concludes with the impact of sugar on global history, linking it to magic, spice, slavery, freedom, and science.

The final paragraph reflects on the personal connections the authors have to sugar through their family histories and the inspiration behind writing the book. It discusses the process of researching and writing together, the challenges they faced, and their desire to share the stories of those affected by sugar's history. The authors also express their hope that their work can inspire readers to think about the connections between their lives and the global history of sugar.