Tobacco: The Subtle History

Source from:  Written by JJ June 06, 2007 06/07/2007

From a wrapper with the roots of an industrializing Nicaragua, to a filler from the fields of a revolutionizing Cuba; from a binder with the seeds of an ever changing Dominican Republic, to an old yearbook photo a Montecristo is embarrassed about; we all know that tobacco has a history and a past. What we might not know, however, is that tobacco history goes far beyond Christopher Columbus... very far beyond. Consider the following: John Rolfe: Most well known for marrying Pocahantas, John Rolfe was also an important tobacco grower. In the early 1600's, he began growing tobacco in Virginia but found that it tasted too bitter and decided to start using seeds from the West Indies. After cultivating a new kind of taste, he sent some of the West Indies tobacco to parts of England. The English grew fond of it and its popularity helped Virginia become more economically prosperous. Tionontati: A group of Iroquian-speaking Indians who lived in the mountains of what is now Ontario, the Tionontatis were known for giving Huron Indians refuge when they were attacked by the Iroquois. But, the Tionontati were also well known for tobacco. Deemed the "Tobacco Indians" by the French, these people cultivated tobacco expertly and extensively. Frederick the Great: A brilliant king who strategically waged wars and expanded Prussia's territory, Frederick the Great is best known for making Prussia the strongest military force in all of Europe in the mid 1700's. He is also known for being an avid tobacco fan. In fact, the clothes he wore had to be tailored in a manner that made the pockets large, large enough to hold ALL of his tobacco. The Peninsular War: A war waged from 1808-1814 is best known as being a segment of the Napoleonic Wars. Battled on the grounds of the Iberian Peninsula, this war saw the French in opposition with Portuguese, Spanish, and British Troops. Not only did this war serve as the Brit's greatest contribution to the Napoleonic Wars, but it also was during these times that the popularity of cigars skyrocketed among British officers, and eventually British citizens. Duke University: Duke University is named in honor of the father of philanthropist James Duke, a man who contributed heavily to the well being of the people in North and South Carolina. In addition to being a philanthropist, James Duke was also a well known tobacco man. Following in the footsteps of his father - who started in the tobacco business in post-Civil War America - Duke eventually became president of the American Tobacco Company. Parson's Cause: Generally viewed as one of the straws that broke the colonists backs, ultimately leading them to begin the American Revolution, Parson's Cause was a legal dispute in the Colony of Virginia. Oddly enough, tobacco was at the center of this debate. When a tobacco shortage caused prices to rise from twopence to sixpence, the Virginia Legislature passed a law allowing debts in tobacco to be remedied at twopence per pound. This law was vetoed by King George the III and left Patrick Henry to deliver a speech about George's interference, claiming the King a "tyrant." It's hard to look at the past without seeing tobacco. Tobacco has a place, even if that place is subtle, in all sorts of historical accounts. Sometimes you just have to look at history a little differently to notice the tobacco seeds; in other words, you have to turn over a new leaf of reminiscing. Enditem