This powerpoint is based on the Political and Economic history of Belize with logwood being one of its predominant economy during the 1700s

1. The Logwood
Economy: From First
Settlement to the
Treaty of Paris
By Kevin Berganza & Edice Hua

2. • 1. Introduction
-Logwood trading from the 1600s to 1700s
• 2. Foundation
-Conflicts Between The Treaty of Paris
• 3. Population
-Myths and Facts
• 4. The Market
-Why logwood was in so much demand
• 5. Production
Overview

3. 1. Introduction: Logwood trading from
the 1600s to 1700s
• Trading in logwood was regarded to be the earliest
means of economy in the economic history of Belize.
The only export in Belize at that time was logwood.
• Trading in logwood was regarded to be the earliest
means of economy in the economic history of Belize.
The only export in Belize at that time was logwood.
• The British came without any legal status, thus the
Spaniards recognized them as intruders.
• The British came without any legal status, thus the
Spaniards recognized them as intruders.
• It started to change however, with the
Treaty of Paris in 1763. This Treaty gave
permission for the British to cut logwood
with no boundaries were defined.
• Through out many key stages in the
evolution of the British settlement, the
Spaniards fail to eradicate the British
permanently from Belize.
• Through out many key stages in the
evolution of the British settlement, the
Spaniards fail to eradicate the British
permanently from Belize.

4. 2. Foundation: Conflicts Between The
Spaniards and the British in the Settlement
• At that time, logwood was not subject to the Navigation Acts (collection of
taxes) meant that the British had access via North America (Boston). In fact, the
Boston link proved to be of enormous importance in logwood trade. Because,
they were not heavily taxed, the profits for the settlement was substantial.
• At that time, logwood was not subject to the Navigation Acts (collection of
taxes) meant that the British had access via North America (Boston). In fact, the
Boston link proved to be of enormous importance in logwood trade. Because,
they were not heavily taxed, the profits for the settlement was substantial.
• Logwood was first imported into Europe around the 16th
Century for the textile
industry. The importation was later band by Queen Elizabeth I because the
process of attaining dye was extremely slow.
• Logwood was first imported into Europe around the 16th
Century for the textile
industry. The importation was later band by Queen Elizabeth I because the
process of attaining dye was extremely slow.
• When Charles II legalized the import of logwood
in 1662, it gave a big opportunity to once again
promote British trade.
• After the 7 Years War (1756-63) once again saw
Britain and Spain opposite sides. Unfortunately,
as often with many treaties, it always seem to be
vague. The boundaries of the British further
became the Rio Hondo and the Belize River.

5. 3. Population: Myths and Facts
• A myth was developed that the British settlers in the Bay of Honduras did not have
slaves until the 1720s. This would mean that they had cut logwood for perhaps half
a century without the use of slaves.
• A myth was developed that the British settlers in the Bay of Honduras did not have
slaves until the 1720s. This would mean that they had cut logwood for perhaps half
a century without the use of slaves.
• It is in fact true at first since the settlers initially had no budget to import slaves,
however, logwood was extremely valuable (profitable), it was highly unlikely that they
would have failed to use slave labor. In 1779 population reached 3,500 (3000 were
slaves).
• It is in fact true at first since the settlers initially had no budget to import slaves,
however, logwood was extremely valuable (profitable), it was highly unlikely that they
would have failed to use slave labor. In 1779 population reached 3,500 (3000 were
slaves).
• Remember, before the Treaty of Paris was signed in 1763, there were no other population
estimates other than in 1745 when the inhabitants of the Bay of Honduras stated that the
population had been reduced to 50 whites and 120 slaves.

6. 4. The Market: Why logwood was in so much demand
It was not until the US War for Independence, Abandonment of the Mosquito Shore
and the loss of the Campeche settlements that the population of Belize Became more
permanent. The first salves were bought from Jamaica and the fact that Belize was on
the mainland provided more flight for runaway slaves than those on the Caribbean
islands.
During the 17th
and 18th
centuries, logwood was greatly extracted from the Belizean
rain forest for ink for writing but most importantly it was used for dye for the textile and
clothing industries in Europe.
During the 17th
and 18th
centuries, logwood was greatly extracted from the Belizean
rain forest for ink for writing but most importantly it was used for dye for the textile and
clothing industries in Europe.
Logwood was by far the best dyewood in the world. Its other competitors such as
indigo, brazilwood, Nicaragua wood and fustic were no match for the quality of dye
found in logwood. Logwood was found in its natural state in the Yucatan peninsula all
the way down to ‘The Bay of Honduras’.

7. 4. The Market: Why logwood was in so much demand
The British Market represented about half of
the European demand and had a virtual
monopoly of supply in other to re-export to
other countries.
In fact, the British Empire followed the
footsteps of Spain, Portugal, and France
whose trade policy was giving privileges to
intra-imperial commerce.
In fact, the British Empire followed the
footsteps of Spain, Portugal, and France
whose trade policy was giving privileges to
intra-imperial commerce.
The first logwood shipment came from Jamaica and the Governor expected the
captains to register the logwoods for shipment to England due to the Navigations Acts.

8. 5. Production: Logwood as a means of Exportation
The logwood market eventually became oversupplied mainly because Log wood was
introduce in most parts of the Caribbean islands such as Jamaica, Haiti, Guadeloupe
and Martinique that provided Europe with supply.
Belize shipped logwood until 1932 when the last
shipment was made. Belize shipped logwood every
single year for 250 years.
Belize shipped logwood until 1932 when the last
shipment was made. Belize shipped logwood every
single year for 250 years.
The most valuable bits of a logwood would be the lower
parts of the trunk and the roots. The equipment used
for felling logwood trees are simple: hatchets, axes,
machetes, saws, wedges, a gun with powder and a
pavilion to sleep in.
The logwood tree is a small tree that grows up to 33ft
long which gets harder which age and the branches are
covered with sharp spines.
The logwood tree is a small tree that grows up to 33ft
long which gets harder which age and the branches are
covered with sharp spines.

9. 5. Production: Logwood as a means of Exportation
• Belize had a high value-product in logwood trade due to its monopoly for
many years but this did not stimulate a domestic economy. This was
because the income was spent on import or transfers to the metropolis due
to Belize’s small population and threats from Spain.
• However, by 1771, mahogany exports hard started so Belize was somewhat
still profitable. On the other hand, logwood had rapidly decline averaging
only 1000 to 2000 tons in fifty years after 1780.
• However, by 1771, mahogany exports hard started so Belize was somewhat
still profitable. On the other hand, logwood had rapidly decline averaging
only 1000 to 2000 tons in fifty years after 1780.
• Therefore, logwood ceased to be a dynamic factor soon after the Treaty of
Paris– in particular, at the moment when its extraction became legal.