History of Slavery in the Caribbean Essay -- Caribbean Historical Essa

History of Slavery in the Caribbean The institution of slavery has played a major role in the history, and the shaping of the Caribbean. Therefore, in order to truly understand the Caribbean one must completely understand slavery itself. Slavery can be defined as belonging to a person, or being treated like a piece of property, and not having any individual freedom This was essentially the life many Africans lived for many centuries in the Caribbean . The master’s had total freedom and control over his or her slaves. As a result of this behavior they were able to run successful sugar plantations that resembled modern day factories. Until the end of the 18th century many sugar estates used the "gang" system. The owner treated hundreds of slaves as units of production. Many plantation owners had a very profitable and prosperous business, but it was expense of human lives. Slaves working in the sugar cane fields always faced the most brutal treatment. Due to the nature of cane farming, a lot of heaving lifting and back breaking cutting was necessary for many hours out of the da...