# data[].attributes.body
Molasses was required to create rum, a spirit, but it was one of the many things taxed by the British. Thus rum had created protests and was one of facets of the American Revolution

# data[].attributes.body
Spirits can also be blamed for the slave trade, since slaves were sold in exchange for spirits.

# data[].attributes.headline
5. Development and transformation of social structures

# data[].attributes.subject
5. Development and transformation of social structures

# data[].attributes.body
Spirits had become the "conman man's drink" for sailors, pirates, and colonists who did not have an immediate source to alcohol.

# data[].attributes.headline
4. Creation, expansion and interaction of economic systems

# data[].attributes.subject
4. Creation, expansion and interaction of economic systems

# data[].attributes.body
In the new world, there was no immediate source of alcohol. Luckily for the colonies, it was discovered that by fermenting the bi-products of sugar-fermentation, spirits could be produced.

# data[].attributes.headline
3. State-building, expansion and conflict

# data[].attributes.subject
3. State-building, expansion and conflict

# data[].attributes.body
Because spirits were able to be stored for a very long time and compact, they were essential to long voyages at sea. This was crucial for the age of exploration, and spirits had been the reason the British navy was able to beat the French navy. This is since the British had mixed in fruits with their spirits, meanwhile the French had little to no access to spirits, at least not enough to supply their navy's, and thus the French navy had suffered from scurvy.

# data[].attributes.body
It was similar to hydrogen peroxide, which is used for cuts

# data[].attributes.headline
2. Development and Interaction of cultures

# data[].attributes.subject
2. Development and Interaction of cultures

# data[].attributes.body
Spirits had eventually reached Europe and were drunk for medicinal purposes. It is likely that the high alcohol content allowed for wounds to be clear of any bacteria (prevent festering since bacteria itself wasn't discovered until the 1670's). Later it was drunk as a pleasure drink, and it was very compact, along with being able to be stored for a very long period of time, longer than both wine or beer.

# data[].attributes.headline
1. Interactions between humans and the environment

# data[].attributes.subject
1. Interactions between humans and the environment

# data[].attributes.body
Spirits were invented by Arab Chemists by distilling wine. Since wine was distilled, it would have a lower water content, but much higher alcohol (ethanol) content, allowing for the drink to be vastly stronger than beer or wine.