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 traffic in 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 communities of the enslaved.