Caribbean Examinations Council (CXC) Caribbean History Practice Exam

The sugar revolution significantly altered social structures in the Caribbean by giving rise to a wealthy planter class and creating a highly stratified society. The introduction of sugar as a lucrative cash crop transformed the economy and intensified the demand for labor, leading to a reliance on enslaved Africans. This created a distinct class hierarchy characterized by the wealthy plantation owners at the top, who amassed great wealth and political power due to their control over the sugar industry.

As these planters prospered, they established a social order where wealth dictated status, leading to the marginalization of both the enslaved population and poorer white settlers. The social stratification was evident in the disparity between the affluent planter elite and the large numbers of enslaved individuals and lower-class whites who worked on the plantations. This environment fostered social tensions and inequalities, shaping the cultural and political landscape of the Caribbean for generations to come.

The other options do not accurately reflect the consequences of the sugar revolution in this context. While emancipation occurred later, it was not an immediate outcome of the sugar revolution. The establishment of a middle class was limited due to the predominance of the planter class, and the migration of indigenous peoples decreased during this period rather than being encouraged.