Abstract

RODRIGUEZ, Nelson Eduardo. The Empire Strikes Back: the Military Expeditions of Antonio Caballero y Gongora to the Darien (1784-1790). hist.crit. [online]. 2014, n.53, pp.201-223. ISSN 0121-1617.

This article analyzes the military expeditions deployed in the Darien between 1784 and 1790, with the goal of presenting the reduction model designed and implemented in this province. The article also aims to expose the commercial underpinnings of the expeditions that may have had social effects upon the region, its indigenous inhabitants, and the Neogranadine Viceroyship. This is done to support the argument that the Viceroy's offensive in the Darien combined persuasive and violent methods driven by the English and that resulted in the mobilization of large amounts of resources, important diplomatic actions, and the transportation of people from various places on the Atlantic. The paper also supports the argument that, despite their apparent magnitude, the expeditions were not effective due to the power of the indigenous peoples in negotiating with colonial authorities and evading them, as well as to the weak presence of local colonization agents that could protect the new foundations.

Keywords : Darien; Atlantic world; Kunas; military reforms; military expeditions.

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