Economic, social and political effects of Venezuelan emigration to southern Puerto Rico

Abstract

Studies a specific and little-known immigration to southern Puerto Rico at the beginning of the nineteenth century. The Venezuelan immigrants were men of substance, who in addition received land grants (many took their slaves with them), and access to middle levels of colonial administration. Many of them were merchants, and their general influence in local economic dvelopment was very positive, although their defence of conservative attitudes in political matters delayed liberal advance.