Fairtrade, A Social Movement for Developing Countries

Question 10: What is Fairtrade, how does it strive to make a difference and is it effective in so doing?

Fairtrade International defines fair trade as, "an alternative approach to conventional trade based on a partnership between producers and traders, business and consumers." In more broad terms, fair trade is an organized social movement designed to help producers in developing country achieve better working and trading conditions, as well as promote sustainability. Several different organizations exist that promote fair trade, but FLO International (Fairtrade International) is the most successful in Denmark as well as the owner of the fair trade mark. Elsebeth Nordlund, the product manager for Fairtrade Danmark, discussed the goals of Fairtrade with our class - social development, economic development, environmental development, and elimination of forced and/or child labor.

The Fairtrade logo has high brand recognition in Denmark. 

One thing that makes FLO International stand out among the rest of the world's fair trade organizations is their Fairtrade Premium, which is money that is used to generally improve the community. Elsebeth cited several examples of this premium's successes such as being utilized to build a basketball court to keep teenagers in South Africa vineyards from drinking and doing drugs, or building a school in a rural Ghana village. The goal of the money is to make the community as a whole better, not just allow for more individual gain for local farmers. One other important focus of fair trade is the elimination of child labor. The organization has audits several times a year, often by surprise to make sure that farmers are staying true to all of the rules outlined by FLO. However, I was interested to learn that one of the major criticisms for fair trade is that the organizations cannot oversee the entire process perfectly. For example, one major issue is the uncontrolled use of seasonal migrant workers. For example, banana plantations may get by with 3 farmers for the majority of the year but come harvest season, the farmers often hire illegal workers without proper paperwork. This is seen as a flaw in the system that cannot be prevented from happening all the time. 

Fairtrade is very popular in the United Kingdom.

Overall, I really appreciated the idea behind fair trade. My only criticism is that it does not do enough environmentally, in my opinion. I was unimpressed with the sustainability goals, particularly when contrasted with organic guidelines. While I appreciate that the organization tries to make it easier for the farmers and they blacklist certain pesticides, it seems that there could be more to do when it comes to educating farmers about sustainable agricultural techniques. Social, economic, and environmental issues go hand and hand. I see the economic and social side of the organization as very strong, but I think the environmental aspect could use some more work. 

One of the most surprising things I learned about Fairtrade is that the organization has expanded to include gold and cotton in addition to their food products. 

A bar of gold certified by Fairtrade International.

Photo sources: 
Photo 1: http://365stepswithoutchocolate.files.wordpress.com/2013/03/fairtrade_make-it-happen-choose-fairtrade-banner.jpg
Photo 3: http://i.guim.co.uk/static/w-620/h--/q-95/sys-images/Environment/Pix/pictures/2013/9/5/1378395261414/Fairtrade-gold--009.jpg

Grapes of the North

Question 9: a) Reflect on our Field Study to Kelleris and b) discuss the important ways in which wine has and continues to play a role in human society and culture.

Believe it or not, Denmark produces wine. Yes, it's a little bit shocking. With a cold climate similar to Canada or Maine, it seems impossible that grapes are successfully grown in this tiny country. Indeed, the cold and rainy day of our field study was so wholly unimpressive that it seemed impossible that the stubby vines could have produced anything at all just a month or two earlier. Wine is traditionally most successful in Italy and France - not Denmark. However, due to modern innovations in vineyard science, it is possible (though difficult and relatively expensive) to produce wine in this northern european country. Commercial production wasn't actually legalized until 1999 but since then, the market has become significant. Søren Hartvig Jensen was one of the first winemakers in Denmark - he established Kelleris Vineyard in 2001, located in Northern Zealand. He taught us how the plants have been cross bred in order to thrive in a cooler climate, as well as avoid the fungal infection brought from North America. 

Kelleris Vineyard on a rainy November day.

Viticulture is no simple science. Rather, producing wine is incredibly complicated and demands a lot of patience. It is an ancient practice - dating back to 6,000 B.C. in Georgia. Wine was celebrated in Ancient Rome and Greece. Most notably, Dionysus is the Greek god (aka Bacchus in Roman mythology) of the grape harvest, winemaking, theatre, and festivity. Known as a jovial character, the fact that he was worshipped is a testament to the importance of wine in early Greek culture. Wine is also important in Christian religion as a symbol of the Christ's blood in communion. It is also included in Jewish religious practices. In fact, on Passover during the Seder, it is a Rabbinic obligation of adults to dink four cups of wine. Islam is actually the only major world religion that doesn't value wine (alcoholic beverages are forbidden under most interpretations of Islamic law). 

Dionysus, Greek god of wine. 

It is actually encouraged to drink wine by medical professionals. While excessive consumption of alcohol is obviously detrimental to one's health, a glass of wine a night is generally acknowledged to have certain cardiovascular benefits. 

Of course, Denmark's favorite Christmastime beverage is mulled wine, or gløgg, so it is appropriate that Denmark produce some of it's own wine. Be sure to taste gløgg at the Christmas Markets all over Copenhagen or make some yourself with the recipe link above. Also try Æbleskiver, which is paired perfectly with gløgg. 

Gløgg and Æbleskiver, traditional Danish Christmas treats.

Sources: 
Photo 1 - personal picture
Photo 2 - http://cf.ltkcdn.net/wine/images/std/111009-417x288-Dionysus.jpg
Photo 3 - http://www.denstoredanske.dk/@api/deki/files/69952/=aebleskiver_B.jpg?size=webview

Modern Plants of Power

Question 8: Which are the ‘Top Three’ most important / influential plants of power today (and I don't necessarily mean by the amount or value produced). Justify and explain your answer.

If I were to answer this question in the most obvious way possible, I would argue that corn, wheat, and rice are the most important and influential plants of power. They are the grains that feed the world - providing an essential part of people's diet from China to the United States. However, there is a different interpretation of the question. Rather than focusing on the most-consumed crops, I will discuss three of the most interesting and controversial modern plants. I have chosen three incredibly different plants that are all important for a wide variety of reasons. 

1) When thinking of plants, a tree comes to mind or perhaps a flowering bush. People usually don't stop to consider the plants of the sea - such as phytoplankton and algae. The first of the most influential plants of power is marine phytoplankton. Marine phytoplankton is a micro algae which essentially feeds the entire population of the ocean. It actually makes up a quarter of all vegetation on the planet. Perhaps most importantly, it provides the earth with over 90% of it's oxygen. That alone makes it the most influential plant in the world. However, there is even more to it! According to doctors, phytoplankton contains all nine amino acids that the body cannot make. The essential fatty acids, such as Omega-3 and Omega-6, are also available as well as many more critical vitamins. If that's not enough to convince you that phytoplankton is important, I don't know what is!!

An image of microscopic phytoplankton.

2) On an entirely different note, I will now turn to a plant that has been a recent source of controversy in the world right now, Cannabis Sativa. I hardly consider it to be one of the most important plants in the world, but it is certainly a very hotly debated plant which makes it very interesting. Cannabis Sativa has a thousand different reputations. In days past it has been used for its oil and as a source of fiber. To some people, it is regarded as a dangerous substance akin to hard drugs such as heroin and cocaine. To others, it is appreciated as a recreational drug that is not detrimental or particularly beneficial for one's health. In parts of the scientific and medical community, it is heralded as a potential curative plant. All of these reputations are valid, though some are far more accurate than others. In recent years, the legality of cannabis has been contested around the world. For example; formerly, it was illegal in the United States. Today, drug laws are being debated in every state. So far, it is fully legal in Oregon, Washington, and Colorado. In California and several other states it is both decriminalized and it is allowed for medical reasons. For more information on legality by state, consult Wikipedia. The issue of legalization is a complex debate. On one hand, a multitude of people can benefit from regulation of the substance, and the state can benefit from heavy taxes on it's sale. Additionally, too many people are in jail for possession of small amounts and the U.S. cannot afford to keep them. On the other hand, you can certainly call into question the benefits of making recreational drug use more popular. 

All parts of the plants are used for a variety of different reasons.

3) Finally, I will talk about a plant that I don't know much about - Cassava. Nevertheless it is incredibly important, particularly Africa and South America. Cassava is a staple food; it actually provides a basic diet for more than half a billion people - or 1 in 14 members of the world population. Originally domesticated in Brazil, Cassava is still important to the region's cuisine. As a crop that does well in poor soil with limited rainfall, and can be harvested year round when needed, it is a critical source of food in the developing world. 

Photo sources: 

Photo 1: http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/9/99/Phytoplankton_-_the_foundation_of_the_oceanic_food_chain.jpg

Photo 2: http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/7/79/Cannabis_sativa_Koehler_drawing.jpg

Photo 3: http://www.thetimes.co.uk/tto/multimedia/archive/00369/118979221_Cassava_369115c.jpg

Food Insecurity

Question 7: Discuss the current threats and possible solutions to food security. Within your answer identify the problems associated with the possible solutions. 

According to the United States Department of Agriculture, food insecurity is a situation of "limited or uncertain availability of nutritionally adequate and safe foods or limited or uncertain ability to acquire acceptable foods in socially acceptable ways." While their definition is somewhat convoluted, the basic idea behind it is clear: humans need a stable source of food. Unfortunately, the world has approached the next serious challenge related to food security due in part to accelerated global population growth and climate change. 

Today, food availability has decreased due to rising oil prices, land use for biofuels, water supply issues, and unprecedented population growth. As food has become increasingly expensive due to an increase in demand and lack of supply, people are suffering more and more from undernourishment. The Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) has estimated that almost 870 million people were chronically undernourished in the years 2010-2012, or 1 in 8 people. 

Number of people affected by undernourishment 2010-2012 (in millions). 

As the population is projected to reach between 8.3 and 10.9 billion by 2050, it is anticipated that food security will become an increasingly dramatic problem. It is not only developing countries that are suffering. In fact, the United States has a serious problem with food insecurity, which is portrayed in the chart below. According to their data, only 85.4% of the United States is classified as food secure.

Food insecurity statistics for the U.S. from the Food Assistance and Nutrition Research Program.

Meanwhile in vulnerable regions such as central Africa and southeast Asia, a much higher percentage of people do not know when there next meal may be. For example, food insecurity has been identified as one of the most serious issues for Africa by the United Nations Development Program (UNDP).

An image from the Africa Human Development Report 2012 - UNDP. 

What can be done to fix this devastating situation? Well, the UN's Millennium Development Goals for 2015 cover the broad necessity for aid. More specifically, it is important to preserve and protect the world's water resources, curb population growth through education and family planning assistance, and provide more international resources for aid.


Photo sources: 
Image 1: 
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Food_security#mediaviewer/File:FAO_Food_security_2012.jpg
Image 2: http://www.georgiadisabilitylawyerblog.com/091117-Food-FoodInsecurity.png
Image 3: http://www.afhdr.org/

Stolen Growth: Biopiracy, Then and Now

Question 6: Define biopiracy. Give two historic and one modern examples of this practice and briefly explain the impacts of the plant ‘transfers’.


Biopiracy is defined as, "the exploitative appropriation of indigenous forms of knowledge by commercial actors, as well as the search for previously unknown compounds in organisms that have never been used in traditional medicine." 


History's Most Thrilling Example of Biopiracy 
Historically, biopiracy has been significant in the spread of plant varieties across borders. Perhaps one of the most famous and thrilling tales of biopiracy is that of Robert Fortune and his adventures into China. The year was 1848 and The British East India company was immensely frustrated with the Chinese tea trade because China only gave up their tea for pure silver. The East India Company's solution to this economic dilemma was to send a "plant hunter" to China to travel in disguise and steal knowledge of tea cultivation and the plants themselves. With a shaved head and a large paycheck, Fortune was sent on his way. On his expedition, Fortune discovered the difference between black and green tea among many other local secrets related to tea production. Simultaneously, the East India Company was conveniently acquiring land in India that was perfect for tea cultivation. Thus began the British monopoly on tea trade, more than ever before. Today, tea is still grown in India and the industry is worth millions of dollars. Fortune changed the economic landscape of the world, but at what cost to China? 

Robert Fortune, "plant hunter."

Stealing to Save a Nation?
One very similar story is that of John Rolfe, who mysteriously obtained several tobacco seeds for cultivation in Jamestown, Virginia. At the time, Spain had declared a death penalty on anyone caught selling seeds to a non-Spaniard. However, Rolfe managed to steal the seeds of a popular strain being grown in Trinidad. To this day, it is not known how exactly Rolfe managed to get his hands on such valuable seeds. Perhaps what he did cannot even be described as biopiracy. What is known is that his tobacco saved the North American colonies, making the United States the economic power that it is today and no one in Trinidad benefitted from that. 

An image of John Rolfe planting tobacco.

Modern Biopiracy
Today, biopiracy is being fought in court all over the world. Too often, indigenous people are being manipulated by large pharmaceutical corporations. One such example is that of the Hoodia, a succulent plant from South Africa. In 1996 large corporations such as Unilever began developing dietary supplements based on the local knowledge of Hoodia's success as an appetite suppressant. The local people were to acquire none of the profits. Finally, an agreement was struck that locals would receive approximately 6% of the profits and put it towards purchasing new land, who had previously lost their land to white settlers. This exemplifies an excellent success story and nice win against biopiracy. 

The Hoodia plant.

For more information about Robert Fortune's thrilling story, check out this article from the Smithsonian.

Sources: 
Photo 1: https://www.hort.purdue.edu/newcrop/proceedings1993/figures/v2-142a.gif
Photo 2: http://americasfirstentrepreneur.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/01/John-Rolfe-planting-tobacco.jpg
Photo 3: http://www.icecubediet.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/02/6187965079_630921c054_z.jpg

An Industrialized World

Question 5: Of those plants we have so far studied, which in your opinion has had the greatest impact on world history. Justify and explain your answer.

It is nearly impossible to decide which plant has impacted world history the most. However, within the constraints of our class and my own knowledge, I have to choose cotton. Why, you might ask? 

American History of Cotton
Well, perhaps I'm biased as a native of the Southeastern United States, home grown in a place where cotton changed history forever: Atlanta, Georgia. Cotton built Georgia's robust economy while simultaneously demanding the mass importation of slaves from Western Africa. This morally reprehensible practice ultimately led to the American Civil War, where Atlanta was burned to the ground at the hands of General Sherman. Later, after the challenging reconstruction era and the horrors of racism, the Civil Rights Movement finally occurred making Atlanta a stronghold for black American culture and racial integration. That's just a short version of the story. Needless to say, cotton had a colossal effect on The United States. However, rather than focusing on the history of America, I will instead discuss another impact that cotton had on the world: the advent of the Industrial Revolution. 

Picking cotton was a grueling task

A New Age
The Industrial Revolution began in the late 1700s and marks a huge turning point in history; almost every aspect of daily life was affected in Britain and it spread to the rest of the world. Indeed, as a student of Environmental Studies I have learned over and over again that the Industrial Revolution changed the world as we know it. Not only did it it increase carbon emissions, it led to unprecedented population growth. On the positive side, people's standard of living generally improved (although I'm not sure the factory workers would agree). Why did this all happen? Well, based on the topic of my post I'm sure you can guess....

Cotton. 

An image of Manchester during the Industrial Revolution,
textile manufacturing hub and the world's first industrial city. 

New Inventions
Textile manufacturing in Britain marked the initiation of the Industrial Revolution. Early inventions and innovations include the rolling spinner machine and the spinning jenny. These new machines were produced for the sole purpose of producing cotton as quickly as possible. Indeed, "Mechanized cotton spinning powered by steam or water increased the output of a work by a factor of about 1000." Later on, American Eli Whitney invented the cotton gin which was equipped to remove the seeds from cotton, exponentially speeding up the process and reducing human labor needs. Years later, the Industrial Revolution would continue to lead to urbanization, the development of better transportation, and more. It changed the world permanently and globally, all because cotton led to the invention of new machines and labor practices. One small plant changed the world in a huge way, for better or for worse I can not be sure.  

The spinning jenny, invented by James Hargreaves in 1764. 

You can watch a video about the spinning mule (a similar invention) here.

Photo sources:
Photo 1: http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/e/e7/Cotton1943_cropped.jpg
Photo 2: http://www.scotsman.com/lifestyle/books/raised-by-dissent-forging-the-industrial-revolution-1-2943870
Photo 3: http://kids.britannica.com/elementary/art-183939/The-spinning-jenny-was-used-for-spinning-wool-and-cotton

The Company That Owned Nations

Question 4: Draw together and explain the roles of cotton, tea and opium in the business and success of the British East India Company.

The idea of a company ruling country (or a few) is somewhat ridiculous in the modern world. Sure, Apple has the world at it's beck and call every time a new product is released but they certainly can't claim ownership of China or the United States. But The British East India Company actually acted as an agent of British imperialism in India. That's right, they were the governing body for India and held a monopoly on trade in most of Southeast Asia. They first ventured into the eastern part of the world for spices and ultimately ended up controlling the cotton, tea, and opium trade. In fact, The British East India accounted for more than 50% of global trade at one point during its powerful reign. 

Cotton and Tea: British Necessities The British East India Company (which I will now refer to as EIC) took control of India, taking advantage of their cheap labor and good soil for cotton cultivation and importing the cotton back to the English cotton mills. Additionally, EIC attempted to penetrate China's trade barriers in search of tea and other unique goods. At this time, China barred westerners from trading in their country. However, England was addicted to tea so they made it work. When EIC finally managed to set up trade for tea, China only accepted silver and gold as payment which was rather inconvenient. As a result, EIC had a significant trade deficit with China. What was their solution?

Tea Clippers were extremely fast ships designed to carry tea from India and China to England.

Opium: A Substitute for Silver 
Well as history has proved time and time again, addictive substances are the most lucrative goods to trade. It was certainly true for tobacco and so England got China hooked on opium. It all began when Warren Hastings - an EIC leader in India - established a colonial monopoly over Bengalese opium. Because it was questionable for EIC to trade opium directly, they sold copious amounts of the addictive drug to "legitimate merchants" in order to wash their hands of the illegal activity. Not so mysteriously the opium ended up in China and EIC ended up with silver coins in their pockets once again to exchange for tea. In some ways, it was a brilliant trading scheme but overall it was entirely immoral and resulted in mass drug addiction for China. By 1906, 13.1 million people or 27% of the Chinese population was addicted to opium. 

To get a feel for the British East India Company's tea and opium trade, try playing this computer game. You can actually be an opium trader on a tea clipper! Talk about getting engaged with history! (Credit goes to Olivia for the recommendation). 

Photo links:
Photo 1: http://az-teas.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/05/tea-cup1.jpg
Photo 2: http://www.bathandwells.org.uk/assets/images/communications/Connect/Poppies%20(2).jpg
Photo 3: http://www.bathandwells.org.uk/assets/images/communications/Connect/Poppies%20(2).jpg

From Barley to Beer: The Most Important Beverage

Question 3: Reflect on our Monday lecture and our Field Study and discuss the importance of Barley to mankind, both historically and now.

What makes beer so important, you may be wondering? Well first of all, cereals were the first plants to be domesticated in the Fertile Crescent, or the "cradle of civilization." Evidence indicates that barley played a key role in forming early neolithic farming communities, meaning that humans could maintain a more sedentary lifestyle. Known as a Neolithic founder crop, barley was a critical source of nutrition in early farming communities. In other words, barley allowed humans to involve into the developed species that we are today. No big deal or anything (it's a big deal).

The "cradle of civilization"

At some point during this time (no one is sure precisely when), beer began to crop up in multiple settlements around the world. It is not known exactly how beer was discovered. Because creating beer is a pretty scientific process for early humans, it is assumed that beer was discovered accidentally, through some turn of fate. Indeed, it is quite possible that a barrel of barley was left out in the rain and somehow yeast was introduced to the mixture. Perhaps a young man tasted the water and liked it then reproduced the process. However it happened, it was an incredibly important innovation for the world.

As A Brief History of Beer put it, "Beer is almost a wonder food: nutritionally enriched, hedonistically satisfying, and medically protective." In fact, beer has played an important role in human health through the ages. For example, when water borne illnesses were prevalent, beer was a safer alternative for hydration and nutrition. Today beer is still chosen over water in less developed countries because the alcohol kills deadly germs and parasites.

Meanwhile in modern Denmark, beer production is important for the economy and society. The Carlsberg Group is a Danish brewing company - the fourth largest brewer in the world. Carlsberg accounts for approximately 6.2% of world beer production and a stunning 40% of the Russian market. Through a field study to the Carlsberg Laboratory, we learned about their innovative research on barley breeding. Not surprisingly, consumers are not fans of GMO (genetically modified organisms) barley. Therefore, Carlsberg selects for barley with the best genes, hoping to increase productivity the old fashioned way. The Carlsberg tour continued to repeat one important phrase, "brewing is old fashioned." And it is - beer brewing hasn't really changed for thousands of years. It is an ancient science that has left its mark on the world and will continue to do so in the years to come.

For more fascinating information on how beer is made, check out this BBC documentary. 

You should also check out this video about the Carlsberg Laboratory. 

Sources:

Bamforth, Charles. "Grape vs. Grain: A Brief History of Beer." Cambridge University Press. 2008.

http://www.therichest.com/expensive-lifestyle/entertainment/top-five-largest-beer-brewing-companies-in-the-world/?view=all

A Wealth in Spices

Question 2: Explain the ways in which the desire by European monarchies / governments to control the spice trade changed world history. 


Today most people only think of spices when they open up a random drawer in their kitchen to make cooking a little bit more exciting. Spices are not seen as particularly precious commodities. Rather, it is entirely normal to put spices in the majority of our food. 

Several hundred years ago, this was not the case. First discovered in the eastern part of the world, the spice trade was dominated by Arab merchants in the 7th century and later on by the Romans. However, after the Roman empire fell, spices decreased in popularity. 

It wasn't until the Christian crusades that Europe rediscovered their taste for spices between 1095 and 1275. It was the spice trade that stimulated the Age of Discovery, prompting European explorers to travel further than ever before because Western Europe did not want to depend on non-Christian traders for their spices. Explorers searched for their own sea route to the Indies - especially the infamous Spice Islands. 

The Portuguese explorer, Vasco de Gama

Christopher Columbus and Vasco de Gama were the most successful explorers during this time, and they are still still the most famous today. While Columbus headed in the direction of the Americas, de Gama is known as the first European to sail around Africa to India - a very dangerous trip. 

Vasco de Gama's first route

The Portuguese rapidly expanded their spice trade after de Gama made it to India, finding huge economic success. As Portuguese explorers returned to Europe, the price of pepper in Lisbon dropped to one-fifth that in Venice. While the Portuguese dominated the spice trade for many years, Spain, Holland, and Britain were also important players in the global spice trade. During the 15th, 16th, and 17th centuries these countries fought Portugal for control of the Spice Islands. Ultimately, the Dutch took control of the spice trade in the 17th century. 

In conclusion, spices were crucial when it came to the expansion of trade routes and the discovery of new continents. Spices facilitated colonization of the East, the Americas and much more. Spices were key to development and they are still hugely important to culinary traditions all over the world today. Just think about it...what's your favorite dish? What spices does it include?

Fun fact:
Today, the most widely used spice in the world is the peppercorn. Here is a link to an article with some surprising facts about pepper. You won't believe some of them! For example, peppercorns were used as currency at one point in history!   

Photo citations: 
Photo 1: http://st.houzz.com/simgs/81c15ac30d85fdef_4-9666/traditional-cabinet-and-drawer-organizers.jpg
Photo 2: http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/8/8d/Vasco_da_Gama_-_1838.png
Photo 3: https://s-media-cache-ec0.pinimg.com/originals/71/aa/4b/71aa4bfc4ca010cb379cd7e89fa68f60.jpg

The Founders of America were Plants?

Question 1: Tobacco and Cotton were two founder crops of the United States of America. Explain how and why, highlighting any connections / similarities between the crops.

 

The Seeds of A New World Power

Both tobacco and cotton played intrinsic roles in the foundation of the United States of America, empowering the new world colonialists to free themselves from British rule and build a strong economy.

It all began back in the early 1600s when English settlers initiated a new colony near the Chesapeake Bay. The new colony had nearly failed when a savior appeared in the form of a strange crop – tobacco seeds from Spanish plantations in the West Indies. Almost immediately Jamestown, Virginia changed from a tragic wasteland to a burgeoning economic power. This influx of money from the tobacco trade allowed the American colonies to develop a sense of independence from their British benefactors, who came to be seen as a real nuisance due to heavy taxes and a monopoly on exports from the colonies. Ultimately, it can be argued that tobacco led to the independence of the United States of America and the freedom that modern Americans cherish so much.

While the economic benefits of tobacco production can hardly be contested, it also led to the development of slavery in the United States which would go on to change the country forever. African slaves were first brought to America in 1619 during the advent of the colonies for the purpose of growing tobacco. The institution of slavery only became more popular with the introduction of cotton in the late 1700s. In the Southern states such as Georgia (my home state), Alabama, and Mississippi cotton was king. It is said that cotton accounted for more than half of American exports in the 1800s. Britain purchased the majority of raw cotton and produced cotton products in their factories – this powered the southern states to become exorbitantly wealthy and finally allowed America to be truly economically independent. However, the wealth that free labor created came to be morally questioned by the northern United States. The disagreement over slavery was one of the driving forces that ignited the American Civil War in 1861, which tore the United States in half.

After four years of conflict the Union (northern states) won the war, the south was left in shambles, and slaves were declared to be free. At that point, slaves had accounted for almost half of the population in the South. The years that followed, known as the Reconstruction era, were wrought with strife as society struggled to accept African-Americans as equal. It was a not a respectable time in American history and things only got worse until the Civil Rights Movement started to change America for the better and the south was slowly rebuilt. Today, the United States still hasn’t recovered completely from the devastating effects of slavery, which brought about by its tobacco and cotton production.

The tragic conclusion is that tobacco and cotton both left scars on America, even as they lifted the country up as the greatest economic power in the world. 

Cotton is still grown in Georgia today - thankfully in a much less morally reprehensible manner. This image depicts my friend and me standing in a cotton field in rural Georgia with our brothers and my dog. 

Photo citations: 

Photo 1: http://www.speedlivin.com/2011/04/how-tobacco-helped-the-colonization-of-america/

Photo 2: http://social.rollins.edu/wpsites/hist120/files/2012/11/Picking-cotton-Jones-County-Courtesy-of-Georgia-Department-of-Archives-and-History_jpg1.jpg

Photo 3: Personal photo

Related links: 

http://www.ushistory.org/us/22b.asp