CXC Caribbean History 2025 – 400 Free Practice Questions to Pass the Exam

The introduction of the metayage system in the smaller islands was largely due to planters' inability to afford wages for their laborers. This system allowed planters to pay laborers in a different manner, typically offering them a share of the crop instead of a fixed wage. This arrangement became particularly appealing in the context of smaller islands where economic resources were limited, and the labor force was often unstable. The metayage system was a response to the challenges of maintaining a steady and affordable workforce in the highly competitive sugar industry. By providing a means of compensation that depended on the success of the crop rather than guaranteeing wages in advance, planters could reduce their financial burden while still ensuring that their plantations were worked.

This historical context clarifies why the other options do not align as primary reasons for the metayage system's implementation. Increased sugar prices may have incentivized production but did not directly relate to the mode of labor compensation. Although skilled laborers were sometimes needed, the metayage system was more about managing costs than about acquiring specialized skills. Lastly, while colonial authorities did exert pressure in various aspects, the economic necessity faced by planters was the driving force behind the introduction of this system rather than external mandates.