At the end of the 1600s the French empire had established colonies in the Caribbean as well as India, Madagascar (an island located in the Indian Ocean off the coast of Africa), and North America. The Caribbean, or spice islands as they were called, became the primary source of sugar and rum for France and the French colonies. France exported these commodities around the world. African slaves were brought to the islands to work the sugar cane fields.

© Illinois State Museum 31-Dec-96