Historia Crítica

Hist. Crit. | eISSN 1900-6152 | ISSN 0121-1617

From Slave to Peasant, “Field” to Market: Land and Agricultural Production by “Freemen of Color” in the Province of Santa Marta (1740-1810)

No. 43 (2011-01-01)
  • Hugues R. Sánchez Mejía
https://doi.org/10.7440/histcrit43.2011.08

Abstract

Based on two case studies, this article attempts to explain how the descendents of slaves acquired land, used it, and through their production became tied to local markets in an area of the Province of Santa Marta at the end of the colonial period. In other words, it examines how they became free peasants. We argue that, by the second half of the eighteenth century, the emergence of peasant economies in the Province is clearly discernable. We also indicate some historical particularities regarding the emergence, productive activity, and market ties of this peasantry.

Keywords: peasant economies, land access, land use, local markets, Colombian Caribbean, freemen of color