Final answer:
The authors support their claim by discussing the economic importance of sugar and the trade systems developed by European merchants that were based on the labor of enslaved people. The enduring impact on postcolonial nations' economies and the interconnectedness of industries supported by sugar trade further back their argument.
Step-by-step explanation:
The authors support the overall claim that sugar production and trade had a significant impact on world history by providing evidence of its economic importance and the creation of global trade systems. European merchants changed the economies of many countries as they developed a lucrative system of production and consumption. This system relied heavily on the labor of enslaved people from West Africa, and it was not only crucial for sugar production but also for other global commodities like cocoa, coffee, tea, and cotton. Sugar became comparable to today's oil in economic significance and gave rise to a vast network of industries including shipbuilding, refining, and banking.
In detailing the vast influence sugar had on maritime employment, industrial development, and even culinary trends, the authors draw a clear connection between the demand for sugar and the fueling of the slave trade along with other industries. This creates a narrative that persuasively supports their claim about sugar's transformative role in shaping international economies and colonial practices.
The fact that many postcolonial nations still depend on the export of these primary commodities illustrates the lasting impact of these historical systems. Furthermore, the trade in sugar and enslaved people was interlinked and sustained multiple industries, not only affirming this influence but underscoring the human cost associated with it.