Estimated Time: 5 minutes

The production of sugar cane had been the major employment in Cuba.

For many years, sugar cane was the backbone of Cuba's economy. It's a tall grass that is harvested and processed to produce sugar, a product that has been highly valuable and sought after worldwide. The sugar industry not only played a major role in Cuba's economic development but also in its social and political history. Families, communities, and the entire country were deeply connected to this industry, which influenced many aspects of Cuban life.

Watch this video to see how sugar cane is harvested and pressed.

If your family’s livelihood depended on a single industry, how would major changes in that industry affect your life and choices?