Final answer:
The demand for labor on sugar plantations in the Western Hemisphere was high due to the labor-intensive process of sugar cultivation. Plantation owners utilized slavery to maximize profits, where enslaved Africans suffered under grueling conditions to meet the demand for sugar. Hence, the correct answer is option (a).
Step-by-step explanation:
The conditions that drove sugar production and slavery in the Western Hemisphere were primarily due to the labor-intensive nature of sugar cultivation, which was required to meet the high demand for this lucrative cash crop. Sugar plantations, especially those in the West Indies and Brazil, depended on large numbers of workers due to the grueling and dangerous work involved in the cultivation and processing of sugar cane.
Slavery in these regions was closely associated with sugar production, as plantation owners turned to the forced labor of enslaved Africans to maximize profits. This inhumane system was rationalized by the European settlers, who deemed a massive labor force necessary for the success of their plantations. Consequently, the majority of enslaved Africans in the Western Hemisphere were involved in the sugar industry, enduring harsh conditions and abuse.