Why did European settlers begin establishing cotton plantations in Fiji during the 1860s?

European settlers began establishing cotton plantations in Fiji during the 1860s primarily to capitalize on a significant boom in global cotton prices. This surge in demand was a direct consequence of the American Civil War, which disrupted traditional supply chains and led to a worldwide search for alternative sources of cotton cultivation.123

By shifting their focus to this lucrative cash crop, settlers sought to profit from the market instability caused by the conflict in the United States. However, the rapid expansion of these plantations created significant social and political friction, as it necessitated large-scale land acquisition and a substantial labor force, often leading to the exploitative practice of blackbirding to recruit workers from other Pacific islands.12