The contributions of the black population to the history and economic development of Puerto Rico have long been distorted and underplayed, Luis A. Figueroa contends. Focusing on the southeastern coastal region of Guayama, one of Puerto Rico's three leading centers of sugarcane agriculture, Figueroa examines the transition from slavery and slave labor to freedom and free labor after the 1873 abolition of slavery in colonial Puerto Rico. He corrects misconceptions about how ex-slaves went about building their lives and livelihoods after emancipation and debunks standing myths about race relations in Puerto Rico. Historians have assumed that after emancipation in Puerto Rico, as in other parts of the Caribbean and the U.S. South, former slaves acquired some land of their own and became subsistence farmers. Figueroa finds that in Puerto Rico, however, this was not an option because both capital and land available for sale to the Afro-Puerto Rican population were scarce. Paying particular attention to class, gender, and race, his account of how these libertos joined the labor market profoundly revises our understanding of the emancipation process and the evolution of the working class in Puerto Rico.

Some programs include also the programs of societies meeting concurrently with the association.

Explores the history, context, and consequences of the major changes that marked the Caribbean between Columbus' initial landing and the Great Depression. This book investigates indigenous commercial ventures and institutions, the rise of the plantation economy in the 16th century, and the impact of slavery.

Discover a land of lush jungles and dazzling white sand with The Rough Guide to Puerto Rico. The full-colour introduction will inspire you with stunning photography of the 'things not to miss' from the cosmopolitan city of San Juan to the exotic flora and fauna of the Caribbean National Forest. Dozens of user-friendly maps will guide you to our recommended accommodation and there are hundreds of restaurant reviews for gourmet eateries and local food stalls across the island. Covering all must-sees such as the Río Camuy caves and the romantic colonial town of Ponce, the guide also features full-colour inserts on Festivals dedicated to fruits and flowers, and Food, including independent gourmet coffee producers and regional specialties. The guide features in-depth sections on Mayagüez, La Cordillera, Vieques and Culebra, as well as all the practical information you'd expect from a Rough Guide. Make the most of your time with The Rough Guide to Puerto Rico.

An interdisciplinary journal that publishes original research and surveys of current research on Latin America and the Caribbean.