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In Alberto Vieira’s article, the impact of sugar to the islands of Madeira and the Canaries are put on display, as well as the powers that helped form these sugar run islands. In a purely economical mindset, everyone (“Europeans”) was out to acquire the new and unexplored world and its vast resources. Europe just so happen to be a leader in exploration and claiming whatever they took a liking to, which is very similar to what Isaias Ortiz argued in that Europeans battled for the best of the best and did so through the sugar trade route. Thus the whole essence of the sugar islands became one of capitalism and imperial gain. Every part of the island was run by some lord or labeled as property of the Royal Crown. Thus leaving the process extremely micromanaged and regulated as land could only be distributed to those with merit or social distinction. However, this ultimately failed as no matter how much the sugar industry and the land it resided was taxed, not taxed and contractually arranged, the industry simply peaked and then declined. (Vieria 43)
On the surface the picture is painted that the sugar industry within the islands of Madeira and the Canaries was one of success for Europe, as this trade route and economical resource was created. Yet, the entire premise of the sugar islands was one of disarray and greed and ultimately lead to is slow fade into the background. Though it seems that it was through the sugar trade route that this industry was made and but through the islands. It was in fact on the island of Madeira that the concept of sugar agriculture was brought to the scene (Vieira 40). The islands brought what seemed to be a perfect environment for sugar crops to rise and flourish and for awhile was the predominant agricultural product (Vieria 47) Yet, the land would not last forever and the soil became impoverished and the crown and lords all struggles to keep the industry alive. Production rates declined and continued to drop, they simply could not manufacture enough mills to grind the sugar cane, allocate and supply enough water, or provide enough arable land. Sugar farmers simply stopped being sugar farmers, even with the benefits that the Crown and the lords tried throwing their way.
Simply put, it was amount of times the land rights and properties changed hands and the vast amount of regulations that were placed on the sugar crop farmers, as well as the limits of the land that led to the industry fading out. Outside resources figured out how to produce sugar better and more effective and thus dwindling the value of what was once a booming industry for these sugar islands.