Abstract

MENTZ, Brígida von. Social Bases of the Insurgency in the Mining and Sugar South Regions of New Spain Capital (1810-1812). Desacatos [online]. 2010, n.34, pp. 27-60. ISSN 1405-9274.

It has been always difficult for historians to cull evidence about the ways of life and ideas of the subaltern classes. This study attempts to show the wealth of information from the testimonies of some inmates (summarized in two charts) in order to document the circumstances in which they were involved during the civil war of 1810-1812 in the mining area of Taxco-Sultepec and the valleys of what is now the state of Morelos. Based on economic and social history, we learn of cases of deep social tensions that explain the social basis of insurgent movements in these regions.

Keywords : armed struggle 1810-1812; workers sectors; sugar plantation owners; mining oligarchy; violence; hierarchical society.