University of Georgia Press The Year of the Lash - University of Georgia Press History Book

Explore a significant chapter of Atlantic history with The Year of the Lash. This work by Michele Reid-Vazquez examines the strategies used by free people of color in Cuba following a period of intense repression. The narrative focuses on the aftermath of the Conspiracy of La Escalera, a movement that challenged colonial rule and slavery in the mid-nineteenth century. Through a detailed look at the events surrounding June 29, 1844, the book examines the execution of ten individuals in Havana who were accused of leading the conspiracy. This includes the story of the acclaimed poet Placido (Gabriel de la Concepcion Valdes) and other prominent members of Cuba's free community of African descent. This book provides a deep look into how these individuals negotiated their place in a changing world. It offers essential context for understanding the social and cultural shifts within the nineteenth-century Atlantic World and the impact of these events on the decades that followed. A necessary read for those interested in social and cultural history.