Artesanos mulatos y soldados beneméritos. El Batallón de infantes de la patria en la guerra de independencia de Chile, 1795-1820

Abstract

This article studies the soldiers of the Fatherland Battalion during the war of independence, which was formed by the free afro-mestizo population from the city of Santiago, a large part of whom were artisans. This article suggests that this force became another step towards solidifying the social prestige that they achieved during the eighteenth century. During this time they also gained a certain economic prosperity and were able to construct concrete social networks amongst them. All of this permitted them to be considered by the State as loyal citizens and as distinguished soldiers.