Caste war and food shortage in the city of Campeche. 1847-1850

Abstract

The present work explores the effects of an armed conflict in relation to the food distribution in the city of Campeche. By means of theoretical categories such as calamities, disasters and vulnerability, as well as documentary source revision, the actions by the competent authorities to mitigate the effects of this situation were identified. These events are a trigger to analyze the social conditions and institutional functioning in crisis junctures. It is concluded that during the war, the risen natives set fire to production units in various sites; which led to a price increase of food and migration of survivors to the capital city. Local officers established various actions to mitigate the grain shortage. However, the supply distribution was inadequate due to price speculation and appropriation by the military authorities.