colonos - History Lab

Charles III handing over land to settlers in Sierra Morena

ad_hlab_min — Sat, 19 Feb 2022 16:30:09 +0000

The Enlightenment project of the New Populations, begun around 1767, was drawn up by Campomanes and entrusted to Pablo de Olavide, both Enlightenment ministers, with the aim of populating large unpopulated areas, such as the deserts of Sierra Morena, La Parrilla (from Ecija to Cordoba) or La Monclova (from Ecija to Carmona), in order to make these transit territories more secure. Central European populations, mostly Germans and Flemish, arrived in these areas and were soon to be harassed by the inhabitants of nearby towns, who did not want to lose the wastelands where their livestock grazed. Soon the clashes led Charles III to decree a Royal Decree imposing severe punishments on those who coerced the settlers. As time went by, the situation of the new inhabitants improved, thus achieving a certain success of the initial project. In the centre of the picture is the monarch Charles III, crowned with laurel and wearing the armour and toga of a Roman emperor, accompanied by the Beneficence and Agriculture, handing over land in the Sierra Morena to settlers of various castes to populate and cultivate. These settlers, who kneel as he passes, are depicted with farming implements. In the distance, on the right-hand side, an allegory can be seen of how in the darkness, thieves and outlaws leave this site. Campomanes and Olavide are also depicted in the picture. Both are in the background next to the monarch. The chariot of the Sun also appears in the scene, preceded by Fame.

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Drawing map of the New Towns of Sierra Morena

ad_hlab_min — Sat, 19 Feb 2022 16:30:03 +0000

The Nuevas Poblaciones de Andalucía y Sierra Morena project began around 1767, during the reign of Charles III. It was an Enlightenment project drawn up by Campomanes and entrusted to Pablo de Olavide, which sought to populate certain fairly extensive areas that had been depopulated. These lands were located along the Royal Road of Andalusia that connected these lands with the plateau (central peninsular), and included the desert of Sierra Morena or La Peñuela (Jaén); the desert of La Parrilla, between Córdoba and Écija; and the desert of La Monclova, between Écija and Carmona. The idea of populating these lands had the intention of improving the safety of the people and goods that moved through them, which were mainly threatened by banditry. To bring the project to life, Catholic settlers from central Europe, mainly Germans, Flemish and Swiss, were attracted and provided with land to promote agriculture and industry. These new settlements were known collectively as the “Nuevas Poblaciones” (New Towns), and had their capital at La Carolina and La Carlota.

The post Drawing map of the New Towns of Sierra Morena first appeared on History Lab.

The New World

ad_hlab_min — Sat, 19 Feb 2022 16:27:23 +0000

In 1607, three English ships financed by the London Virginia Company cross the Atlantic in search of treasure they believe to be in the New World. They reach land near the James River in Virginia and found the settlement of Jamestown. Because of their aristocratic origins, the settlers have great difficulty surviving, while their dream of finding gold is extinguished. Captain John Smith organises an expedition, but the Powhatan tribesmen attack them, killing all except Smith. The natives take him to their village and there he meets the chief’s daughter, Pocahontas, who teaches him the culture and customs of her people. A few months later, loaded with enough food to ensure the settlers’ survival through the winter, he returns to the Jamestown settlement. The following spring, Chief Powhatan discovers that the settlers intend to stay and prepares for war. However, Pocahontas alerts Smith to her father’s plans, and when the attack fails, Powhatan realises that his daughter has betrayed him and banishes her forever.

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