Paper short abstract:

The objective of this work is to analyze the effects of economic activity on a part of Cuban society during the eighteenth and nineteenth centuries.

Paper long abstract:

The objective of this work is to analyze the effects of economic activity on a part of Cuban society during the eighteenth and nineteenth centuries. Being tobacco the main exporting product of the Island during the 18th, its commercialization allowed to accumulate wealth to those who participated in this business. The Royal Company of Havana founded in 1740, and some of its shareholders could benefit from its commercialization until 1760, in addition to include other products. Enriched in the 18th century, generally Creole 2nd and 3rd generation, secured their fortune acquiring real estate, and even haciendas azucareras at the end of the century. During the nineteenth century, sugar was the main product of Cuba. Its effects changed the economic panorama of the Island and forced to incorporate new labor (African, Yucatecan or coolies). Some newcomers from the metropolis managed to accumulate great fortunes. The internationalization of its activity was more extensive, since they connected with Asia and Europe.

Both the elite that were formed in the 18th and the metropolitans moved to Cuba in the 19th century, as well as fortune, were distinguished with nobility titles and intervened in the most representative Cuban institutions: Consulate, City Councils, Sociedad Económica de los Amigos del País, etc. Its behavior however differs in terms of its origin, level of wealth achieved, way of transferring capital to Europe and investment.