Introduction to Final Paper

The butterfly effect theory is an idea that small things can make monumental change. The small 166.4 square mile island seems to prove this theory. Throughout Barbados's history it has been one of the most influential islands in the carribean, even spreading its culture and ideas to the early United States. Barbados was England's lab rat when it came to agricultural settlments in the Carribean. England had a rough time along establishing territories in the Carribean. Barbados was largely ignored by Europeans when first coming to the Carribean. When the English finally arrived in 1627 they found a largely desolate island will a small native population. After finally establishing a settlment on the island it didnt take long until it turned into the agricultural titan it eventually became. After importing slaves and indentured servants the English had their workforce. Barbados's buisness began to boom. As time went one Barbados grew not only in its agricultural prowess but in slavery. Slave ships became to come in droves. From 1629 to 1786 the white population went from 97% to 21% and the black population went from 3% to 79%. At one point not only was Barbados a powerhouse in agriculture but became the slave capital of the Carribean. Other islands and colonies began to take notice and just as after all sucesses others began to use Barbados's blueprint and use it themselves. Barbados's framework spread all over the carribean even reaching South Carolina. South Carolina formed into a mirror image of Barbados adapting their culture and pursuing the same economic endevaors. Not only was Barbados a leader in establishing the slave agricultural society, but was key in its dismantlement. They were among not just the first islands but one of the first places in the world to start the abbloishment of slavery and other islands followed in their footsteps.