Read the timeline from Sugar Changed the World.
1789 French Revolution begins with the declaration of the Rights of Man and the Citizen
1791 Children of free parents in French sugar colonies are granted the full rights of French Citizens, no matter what their color or origin; slavery abolished within borders of France
1792 French leaders begin to use the guillotine to execute enemies
1793 Louis XVI executed; Marie Antoinette executed
1794 Slavery abolished in all French sugar colonies
1799 Napoleon takes power in France
1800 Napoleon gains control of the center of North America—the Louisiana Territory from Spain, plans to use it to feed and supply his sugar islands
1802 Napoleon makes slavery legal again
How do the details in this timeline support the authors’ purpose?
The details about the shift of power in France help persuade readers that France was important to the sugar industry.
The details about the changing laws in France help inform readers that Napoleon wanted to produce sugar cheaply by using enslaved people.
The details about the French Revolution help inform readers about the process of executing enemies.
The details about Marie Antoinette help persuade readers that the French royalty were not well liked.