Chapter 13: Economy and Society in Latin America

Chapter 13: Economy and Society in Latin America

These three accounts of working conditions in South America in the mid seventeenth century and early nineteenth century illustrate the development of social class structure that is present in modern Latin American society.   The accounts of the living conditions and social structures at that time provide insight in to the imbalance of power still present.   Two of the three accounts were written by a monk traveling through the area.   This perspective is a unique one as a monk may have more feelings about slavery and inequality than a lay person, based on the teachings of the bible.   The third account is written by a French cotton merchant who resided in the sugar plantations of Brazil for a period.   This writing is much more focused on the economics and contractual agreements of the plantations and their occupants.
The Potosi mountain range is located in south-central Bolivia in South America.   It is home to one of the largest silver mines in the world, and during the seventeenth century, was the focus of the South American silver trade.   Under royal decree, the mine owners were allotted 13,300 natives to work the mines.   These workers, which were referred to as Mita, were rounded up from local and far off villages by a colonial local official called the Corregidor.   The collection method was apparently offensive to the monk, illustrated when he writes: “This works out very badly, with great losses and gaps in the quotas of Indians, the villages being depopulated; and this gives rise to great extortions and abuses...ruining them and thus depriving the caciques [tribal chiefs or leaders] and chief Indians of their property and carrying them off in chains...”   The author goes on to explain the grouping and assignments of the mita, noting that they receive a wage of 4 reals, compared to 12 to 24 reals paid to the hired workers.   It's clear from this writing that the author doesn't feel completely comfortable with the situation, though is in no position to change...