Sugar and Civilization

American Empire and the Cultural Politics of Sweetness

Business & Finance, Economics, Economic History, Nonfiction, History, Americas, United States, 19th Century, 20th Century
Cover of the book Sugar and Civilization by April Merleaux, The University of North Carolina Press
View on Amazon View on AbeBooks View on Kobo View on B.Depository View on eBay View on Walmart
Author: April Merleaux ISBN: 9781469622521
Publisher: The University of North Carolina Press Publication: July 13, 2015
Imprint: The University of North Carolina Press Language: English
Author: April Merleaux
ISBN: 9781469622521
Publisher: The University of North Carolina Press
Publication: July 13, 2015
Imprint: The University of North Carolina Press
Language: English

In the weeks and months after the end of the Spanish-American War, Americans celebrated their nation's triumph by eating sugar. Each of the nation's new imperial possessions, from Puerto Rico to the Philippines, had the potential for vastly expanding sugar production. As victory parties and commemorations prominently featured candy and other sweets, Americans saw sugar as the reward for their global ambitions.

April Merleaux demonstrates that trade policies and consumer cultures are as crucial to understanding U.S. empire as military or diplomatic interventions. As the nation's sweet tooth grew, people debated tariffs, immigration, and empire, all of which hastened the nation's rise as an international power. These dynamics played out in the bureaucracies of Washington, D.C., in the pages of local newspapers, and at local candy counters. Merleaux argues that ideas about race and civilization shaped sugar markets since government policies and business practices hinged on the racial characteristics of the people who worked the land and consumed its products. Connecting the history of sugar to its producers, consumers, and policy makers, Merleaux shows that the modern American sugar habit took shape in the shadow of a growing empire.

View on Amazon View on AbeBooks View on Kobo View on B.Depository View on eBay View on Walmart

In the weeks and months after the end of the Spanish-American War, Americans celebrated their nation's triumph by eating sugar. Each of the nation's new imperial possessions, from Puerto Rico to the Philippines, had the potential for vastly expanding sugar production. As victory parties and commemorations prominently featured candy and other sweets, Americans saw sugar as the reward for their global ambitions.

April Merleaux demonstrates that trade policies and consumer cultures are as crucial to understanding U.S. empire as military or diplomatic interventions. As the nation's sweet tooth grew, people debated tariffs, immigration, and empire, all of which hastened the nation's rise as an international power. These dynamics played out in the bureaucracies of Washington, D.C., in the pages of local newspapers, and at local candy counters. Merleaux argues that ideas about race and civilization shaped sugar markets since government policies and business practices hinged on the racial characteristics of the people who worked the land and consumed its products. Connecting the history of sugar to its producers, consumers, and policy makers, Merleaux shows that the modern American sugar habit took shape in the shadow of a growing empire.

More books from The University of North Carolina Press

Cover of the book Southern Cultures by April Merleaux
Cover of the book Germany as a Culture of Remembrance by April Merleaux
Cover of the book The National War Labor Board by April Merleaux
Cover of the book The Sino-Soviet Alliance by April Merleaux
Cover of the book Synthetic Socialism by April Merleaux
Cover of the book Authorized to Heal by April Merleaux
Cover of the book Short Stories from the Old North State by April Merleaux
Cover of the book The Paradox of Tar Heel Politics by April Merleaux
Cover of the book The Black Arts Movement by April Merleaux
Cover of the book The Cape Hatteras Lighthouse by April Merleaux
Cover of the book Between Authority and Liberty by April Merleaux
Cover of the book Reforming Sodom by April Merleaux
Cover of the book The Roots of Justice by April Merleaux
Cover of the book Skeleton of Light by April Merleaux
Cover of the book The Myth of the Picaro by April Merleaux
We use our own "cookies" and third party cookies to improve services and to see statistical information. By using this website, you agree to our Privacy Policy