1789-Feb.-28: The Spanish Crown issued a “Royal Grace” that significantly modified the principles of the slave trade in its colonies, effectively opening the…

1789-Feb.-28: The Spanish Crown issued a “Royal Grace” that significantly modified the principles of the slave trade in its colonies, effectively opening the doors to a freer importation of captives. This decree was intended to stimulate the plantation economies of Cuba, Puerto Rico, and Caracas by providing a steady supply of labor. It encouraged foreign merchants to bring “bozales” (newly arrived Africans) directly to Spanish ports, bypassing traditional monopoly restrictions. This policy shift led to a dramatic increase in the enslaved population and intensified the need for strict social control measures. The influx of new captives also created fresh tensions within the existing slave communities.