España Boba
Encyclopedia
España Boba or "The Era of Foolish Spain" was a period of time, from 1809 to 1821, in which the Spanish
imperial government exercised only nominal power over its colony in Santo Domingo
. To the regret of many colonist writers (Spanish colonists and the Creole elite), for most of its colonial history the Spanish monarchy had given little attention to Santo Domingo.
However, during the second decade of the 19th century the colonial neglect acquired epic proportions. In fact, for all practical purposes, the colony in Santo Domingo during these years (1809–1821) was governed as an afterthought through the more significant Cuban administration
.
Cuba
, in contrast with Santo Domingo, had ceased to be considered a marginal colony after the brief yet consequential British
occupation of 1763. And while in the 19th century Santo Domingo was experiencing a loss of its white planters and landowner class, Cuba was welcoming a larger number of enterprising bourgeois
, which fitted well with its increasingly powerful planter class.
The Dominican colonial elite, on the other hand, had suffered substantially from the effects of the Haitian Revolution
, and were in a weaker condition than those in Cuba. However, while in Cuba (and even in Puerto Rico
) industrial sugar production was expanding and thus demanding a larger number of slaves
and with it producing a racially polarized society, in Santo Domingo, during the España Boba, the material gap among social class
es was not as marked. In other words, the weaker the colonial power, the less tyrannical it was.
This meant that Cuba had a larger number of slaves and an increasing oppressive colonial system than in Santo Domingo, but what comes out of the Dominican literature
of this time is a constant lament, which echoes the insecurities of the ruling elite that had been apparently abandoned by its colonial masters.
Spanish Empire
The Spanish Empire comprised territories and colonies administered directly by Spain in Europe, in America, Africa, Asia and Oceania. It originated during the Age of Exploration and was therefore one of the first global empires. At the time of Habsburgs, Spain reached the peak of its world power....
imperial government exercised only nominal power over its colony in Santo Domingo
Dominican Republic
The Dominican Republic is a nation on the island of La Hispaniola, part of the Greater Antilles archipelago in the Caribbean region. The western third of the island is occupied by the nation of Haiti, making Hispaniola one of two Caribbean islands that are shared by two countries...
. To the regret of many colonist writers (Spanish colonists and the Creole elite), for most of its colonial history the Spanish monarchy had given little attention to Santo Domingo.
However, during the second decade of the 19th century the colonial neglect acquired epic proportions. In fact, for all practical purposes, the colony in Santo Domingo during these years (1809–1821) was governed as an afterthought through the more significant Cuban administration
History of Cuba
The known history of Cuba, the largest of the Caribbean islands, predates Christopher Columbus' sighting of the island during his first voyage of discovery on 27 October 1492...
.
Cuba
Cuba
The Republic of Cuba is an island nation in the Caribbean. The nation of Cuba consists of the main island of Cuba, the Isla de la Juventud, and several archipelagos. Havana is the largest city in Cuba and the country's capital. Santiago de Cuba is the second largest city...
, in contrast with Santo Domingo, had ceased to be considered a marginal colony after the brief yet consequential British
Great Britain
Great Britain or Britain is an island situated to the northwest of Continental Europe. It is the ninth largest island in the world, and the largest European island, as well as the largest of the British Isles...
occupation of 1763. And while in the 19th century Santo Domingo was experiencing a loss of its white planters and landowner class, Cuba was welcoming a larger number of enterprising bourgeois
Bourgeoisie
In sociology and political science, bourgeoisie describes a range of groups across history. In the Western world, between the late 18th century and the present day, the bourgeoisie is a social class "characterized by their ownership of capital and their related culture." A member of the...
, which fitted well with its increasingly powerful planter class.
The Dominican colonial elite, on the other hand, had suffered substantially from the effects of the Haitian Revolution
Haitian Revolution
The Haitian Revolution was a period of conflict in the French colony of Saint-Domingue, which culminated in the elimination of slavery there and the founding of the Haitian republic...
, and were in a weaker condition than those in Cuba. However, while in Cuba (and even in Puerto Rico
Puerto Rico
Puerto Rico , officially the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico , is an unincorporated territory of the United States, located in the northeastern Caribbean, east of the Dominican Republic and west of both the United States Virgin Islands and the British Virgin Islands.Puerto Rico comprises an...
) industrial sugar production was expanding and thus demanding a larger number of slaves
Slavery
Slavery is a system under which people are treated as property to be bought and sold, and are forced to work. Slaves can be held against their will from the time of their capture, purchase or birth, and deprived of the right to leave, to refuse to work, or to demand compensation...
and with it producing a racially polarized society, in Santo Domingo, during the España Boba, the material gap among social class
Social class
Social classes are economic or cultural arrangements of groups in society. Class is an essential object of analysis for sociologists, political scientists, economists, anthropologists and social historians. In the social sciences, social class is often discussed in terms of 'social stratification'...
es was not as marked. In other words, the weaker the colonial power, the less tyrannical it was.
This meant that Cuba had a larger number of slaves and an increasing oppressive colonial system than in Santo Domingo, but what comes out of the Dominican literature
Literature of the Dominican Republic
-Authors from the Dominican Republic and Haiti:*Angel Hernádez Acosta*Juan Antonio Alix*Julia Alvarez*Rámon Marrero Aristy*Julio Vega Battle*Francisco Gregorio Bilini*Pedro Francisco Bonó*Freddy Prestol Castillo*Tulío M. Cestero*Manuel de Jesús*Gastón F...
of this time is a constant lament, which echoes the insecurities of the ruling elite that had been apparently abandoned by its colonial masters.