Race and Anti-Slavery in the Spanish Caribbean: the Political Activism of Antonio Maceo and Ramón Emeterio Betances

Abstract

This paper aims to discuss anti-slavery stances in the Spanish Caribbean through the actions of the Cuban Antonio Maceo (1845-1896) and the Puerto Rican Ramón Emeterio Betances (1827- 1898). This research seeks to frame the political ambiance in the Spanish Caribbean from 1863 to 1881, in the context of wars of independence, and the specific agency of black men who claimed racial solidarity in the struggle to abolish slavery. Drawing from correspondences and documents produced by Maceo and Betances (or with their participation), as well as documentation generated by colonial officials, I will discuss the building of race-based international networks and connections by the activists who fought against slavery, discrimination and for full political rights. I call special attention to the interlocution with the Haitians and the insistent reference to Haiti in their political vocabulary.