Spain’s colonization of the Americas was attributed to the lure of precious metals which was the standard of wealth at the time. Spain’s aim to become the most powerful country in Europe was the driving force behind their forced systems of production. The enduring legacy of cheap or forced labour became the platform upon which our development model will be built. Lloyd Best has since coined this model the ‘plantation economy’.
Click to view the Slideshare below that gives a chronology of the systems of production used in the Caribbean.
Click to view the Slideshare below that gives a chronology of the systems of production used in the Caribbean.
Note that terms of indentureship varied among territories. For instance in Trinidad East Indian workers were contracted to work for a period of 5 - 7 years.
After studying the slides, complete the crossword puzzle below!