Colonial trade and slavery
Caricature on the double meaning of “cane”. Lithograph by C. Jaquis in the magazine La Caricature. The plantation-owner is saying: “Say what you like, but you can’t make sugar without the cane!”
The discovery of the American continent led to an increase in the significance of sugar as a luxury trading commodity. Colonial masters planted huge plantations of sugar cane, most notably on the sugar islands in the Caribbean, which were farmed by African slaves.
What value did a slave have? Who profited from this business and how did sugar come to Europe? What was everyday life like on a plantation?
The exhibition explained political, economic and social relations between Europe, Africa and America in comprehensive detail.