Colonial Origins: Hispaniola in the Sixteenth Century

Hispaniola underwent profound economic transformations during the sixteenth century, transitioning from gold extraction to African slavery-driven sugar plantations and later shifting to ginger cultivation and cattle ranching. This study reveals how these shifts reshaped the island's labor dynamics and colonial economy, with Santo Domingo emerging as the central hub of social and political power. The research employs historical analysis to trace these economic cycles, highlighting the interplay between indigenous labor exploitation and the expansion of African slavery. By examining archival records and economic trends, the study provides a nuanced understanding of Hispaniola's colonial evolution, offering insights into the long-term impacts on the region's development.

(Ed.). (2020). Colonial Origins: Hispaniola in the Sixteenth Century. Islanders and Empire, 22–55. https://doi.org/10.1017/9781108477659.002