Trapped in calamity. Disastrous junctures, mass deaths and demographic impact in Caracas: 1750-1830

Abstract

From its foundation and until deep into republican life, Caracas was a small, with little development, and sparsely populated city. Its growth difficulties represent a historical condition that will only be transformed by urban modernity, already in the second half of the 20th century. Each disastrous event precipitated by extreme phenomena, or uncontrollable contagions represented an insurmountable calamity in its existence. Recurrent epidemics, such as smallpox, or emerging epidemics, such as cholera, severely impacted the population of Caracas. Its worst moment took place at the time of independence, when earthquakes was combined with war, famine and contagions, as well as migrations. Mass deaths and destruction accompanied the historical development of this city, accumulating unresolved problems in colonial life as well as in the republican organization, with no resources to consolidate a deficit State or to improve the daily life of its society. In this study, we demonstrate the demographic impact on the city’s population during the specified period, contrasting sources and systematizing information consulted in documents and archives.