1767-Jan.-07: An economic essay in the Affiches Américaines argued that the West Indian colonies attained prosperity faster than northern colonies due to the…

1767-Jan.-07: An economic essay in the Affiches Américaines argued that the West Indian colonies attained prosperity faster than northern colonies due to their unique climate. Products such as sugar, indigo, and ginger were identified as being exclusively suited to warm climates and highly prized in Europe and the north. The author noted that the global demand for chocolate, tea, and coffee had fundamentally increased the consumption of Caribbean sugar. This analysis reflected the colonial perspective on the central role of the plantation system built on slavery in the global economy.