Theme: Caribbean Economy and Slavery
“The layout of a typical 18th century British Caribbean sugar plantation ensured self- sufficiency and maximized efficiency.” Does the evidence support this statement?

Rationale
On a typical eighteenth century plantation self- sufficiency was promoted by workers, fuel, water source, sugar works yard and sugar being the main crop, along with the practice of subsistence farming all being on the plantation. Generally speaking, the categories of a persons living on the plantation were Negroes and whites. The research will create a balanced perspective with regards to the self-sufficiency and maximized efficiency

Introduction

Generally speaking, the categories of persons living on the plantation were Negroes and Whites. The Negroes houses were set apart from the estate buildings of the plantation in close proximity to the fields to enable easier access to work. "As you enter the gates, there is a long range of negro houses, like thatched cottages and a row of coconut trees and clumps of cotton trees." [Lady Nugent p. 28]. Their houses were made of wattle, mud or timber. The planter or his attorney in his absence would occupy the Great House. The other whites', overseers, bookkeepers etc. houses were located in close proximity to the Great House, which better enable them to supervise the slaves.
The sugar works yard was located at the center of the plantation, a considerable walking distance away from the Great house. "The sugar works yard consisted of the mill, boiling house, curing house, distillery, trash house and workshops for skilled craftsmen like blacksmith and carpenters." [A Study and Revision Guide for CXC Caribbean History p 35]. The factory buildings were closely positioned so they did not have to travel far to get from one place to another. These buildings were maintained by paid white artisans or skilled