The Pre-Columbian Americas
The Pre-Columbian Americas were the first to use tobacco. The American Indians grew the plants for healing and ceremonial reasons. They smoked the tobacco in pipes.
Christopher Columbus introduced tobacco to Europe. However, Europeans really didn’t experience tobacco until the mid-16th century. Jean Nicot from France, is how nicotine got it’s name. He was a French diplomat and scholar, he started the snuffing of tobacco in the French court.
John Rolfe, an Englishman, had the first commercial crop in 1612 in Virginia. It only took seven years to become the colony’s biggest export. Tobacco continued to expand over the next two centuries as a cash crop. This created the demand for slave labor in North America.
Tobacco was used mainly for smoking
Christopher Columbus introduced tobacco to Europe. However, Europeans really didn’t experience tobacco until the mid-16th century. Jean Nicot from France, is how nicotine got it’s name. He was a French diplomat and scholar, he started the snuffing of tobacco in the French court.
John Rolfe, an Englishman, had the first commercial crop in 1612 in Virginia. It only took seven years to become the colony’s biggest export. Tobacco continued to expand over the next two centuries as a cash crop. This created the demand for slave labor in North America.
Tobacco was used mainly for smoking