Rum's Role in Canada's Early Economy

0:00Historian Alan Greer just dropped a book called Canada in the age of rum. Shining light on how this spirit powered the country's economy back in the 1700s Cheap rum from the Caribbean made from molasses flowed north and got workers hooked with some areas guzzling over 30 liters per person a year Just on rum alone Companies jacked up prices four or five times retail trapping fishermen fur traders and lumberjacks in debt at seasons end These folks ended up penniless signing on for another round of grueling work to pay it off Greer calls it alcoholic capitalism a sneaky way to slash wages and keep businesses alive Indigenous communities got hit too as Montreal traders swapped rum for furs sparking addiction and chaos where booze was unknown before But they fought back early like in Conwayk near Montreal as far back as the 1670s Spotting the social damage quick settlers took longer only rallying against the booze boom around the 1820s

1:02Today stereotypes link indigenous folks to alcoholism But stats from statistics Canada show they actually drink less than other Canadians Greer's work ties Canada to the brutal Atlantic trade and exploited labor Using Rome as a control tool without needing slavery here Historians and even rum bloggers are stunned by how deep this ran Urging us to own this hidden chapter while sipping responsibly today Canada news today powered by AI bringing you what matters on Corey with the story