1763: A detailed architectural plan of a large sugar plantation in Cayenne, French Guiana, was published to illustrate the complex physical and labor require…

1763: A detailed architectural plan of a large sugar plantation in Cayenne, French Guiana, was published to illustrate the complex physical and labor requirements of the industry. The design featured centralized factory buildings and equipment surrounded by long rows of huts intended for the enslaved labor force, which typically numbered between 100 and 200 people. These plantations represented massive capital investments and were designed to maximize commodity exports to European markets. Because the harsh working conditions resulted in high mortality, enslavers did not rely on the natural growth of the local population. They depended on the continuous deportation of new captives from Africa.