Forced Migration in the Spanish Pacific World: From Mexico to the Philippines, 1765-1811

From 1765 to 1811, nearly 4,000 Mexican troops and convicts landed in Manila Bay in the Philippines. This migration reveals the interconnectedness of the Spanish Philippines and colonial Mexico, highlighting the importance of considering the transpacific world in understanding Spanish empire history.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 324 pages
Publication date: 20 October 2022
Publisher: Cambridge University Press

From 1765 to 1811, a significant number of Mexican troops and convicts, totaling nearly 4,000 individuals, arrived in Manila Bay in the Philippines. The majority of these individuals were seasoned veterans and recruits, while the remaining ones were victims of vagrancy campaigns. Eva Maria Mehl delves into the lives of these forcibly displaced individuals, tracing their journey from recruitment centers, jails, and streets in central Mexico to Spanish outposts in the Philippines. Through her research, she explores the intricate power dynamics between the imperial authorities in Madrid and the colonial governments and populations of New Spain and the Philippines during the late Bourbon era.

What emerges from this study is a profound realization that the histories of the Spanish Philippines and colonial Mexico have intertwined and shaped each other in significant ways. It becomes evident that there existed a profound connection between imperial processes in the Pacific and Atlantic Oceans, and that a perspective of the Spanish empire solely focused on the Atlantic fails to fully capture the historical significance of the richly textured transpacific world.

The forced migration from Mexico City to Manila serves as a poignant illustration of this interconnectedness. It highlights the complex web of relationships and exchanges that unfolded between different regions of the Spanish empire, transcending geographical boundaries and cultural differences. It sheds light on the ways in which imperial power was exercised, manipulated, and contested at the local level, as well as the ways in which individuals and communities responded to these dynamics.

Moreover, this study emphasizes the importance of considering the perspectives and experiences of marginalized and oppressed groups within the Spanish empire. It sheds light on the hardships and struggles faced by these individuals, who were often subjected to discrimination, exploitation, and violence. It challenges the notion of a uniform and homogenous Spanish empire and highlights the diversity and complexity of the experiences of its subjects.

In conclusion, the study of forced migration from Mexico City to Manila offers a valuable insight into the complex and multifaceted history of the Spanish empire. It demonstrates the interconnectedness of different regions and the impact of imperial processes on the lives of individuals and communities. By exploring the experiences of marginalized and oppressed groups, it sheds light on the ways in which the Spanish empire was both shaped by and shaped by its subjects. This study contributes to our understanding of the global history of the late 18th and early 19th centuries and provides a valuable foundation for further research and analysis.

Weight: 530g
ISBN-13: 9781316501993