Abstract

OLVEDA LEGASPI, Jaime. The Abolition of Slavery in Mexico, 1810-1917. Sig. his [online]. 2013, vol.15, n.29, pp.8-34. ISSN 1665-4420.

On the study of slavery in Mexican history there is a vast historiography produced by Mexican and foreign historians, who discuss the existence of this practice from the sixteenth century until Miguel Hidalgo’s abolition decree -dated December 6, 1810-, and that from this time on, slaves did not exist in Mexico anymore. However, since Hidalgo and the rest of the insurgent leaders did not have control over New Spain’s territory, nor their authority was thoroughly recognized, slave owners did not comply with such decrees. During the administrations of Victoria and Guerrero, after Mexican Independence was formally established, new abolition decrees were issued; this time, establishing compensations for slave owners as an attempt to keep property rights intact. Later on, Mexican authorities suppressed slavery on different occasions, which indicates that this issue was still debated during the nineteenth century. In order to eradicate this practice, successive Mexican Constitutions -federalist and centralist-oriented alike, as well as the 1917 Constitution- indicated the abolition of slavery.

Keywords : Decrees; Slavery; Miguel Hidalgo; Indemnification; Constitutions.