Dynamics of Continuity and Change: Shifts in Labour Relations in the Potosí Mines (1680–1812)

While the mita system of forced labor dominated Potosí's silver mines from the late 16th to early 19th centuries, significant shifts and alternative forms of work emerged during this period. This study reveals that labour relations were not static but dynamically influenced by the Spanish monarchy's policies, which prioritized revenue generation, as well as by the actions of both mine entrepreneurs and workers—whether unfree, free, or self-employed. Analyzing archival records and policy documents from 1680 to 1812, the research demonstrates how these interactions reshaped labour dynamics, challenging the perception of the mita as a monolithic system.

Barragán Romano, R. (2016). Dynamics of Continuity and Change: Shifts in Labour Relations in the Potosí Mines (1680–1812). International Review of Social History, 61(S24), 93–114. https://doi.org/10.1017/s0020859016000511