Question

Historians could use the chart above to support which statement about slavery in the

British West Indies?
a.) Growing European demand for sugar cane led to an increase in the use of slaves as a labor force
b.) The French and Indian War's conclusion led to increased conflict between slaves and masters.
c.)The number of large slave plantations on Antigua quickly outnumbered the number of small slave holders.
d.) The British West Indies were originally colonized by individuals who brought large numbers of
slaves

Answer 1

Answer: a.) Growing European demand for sugar cane led to an increase in the use of slaves as a labor force

Step-by-step explanation:

Sugar production was the main economic activity in Antigua for much of its existence including when the British first took control of it. There was a strong demand for sugar in Europe and to satisfy this demand, whilst keeping labor costs low, farmers began to use more and more slave labor to farm more land.

This is why in the chart above you will notice that the number of enslaved people as well as the amount of land (acreage) being used for farming saw a sustained increase from 1688 to 1767.