The Butcher's Wife

Race Relations and Death by Hanging in Cuba and the Spanish Atlantic, 1830s-1930s

June 05, 2023

Our upcoming Max Planck Lecture in Legal History and Legal Theory is titled ,The Butcher's Wife: Race Relations and Death by Hanging in Cuba and the Spanish Atlantic, 1830s-1930s’.

The lecture will take place at our Institute on 29 June at 17:00 and will be delivered by Victor M. Uribe-Uran of Florida International University, who is also a member of our Advisory Board.

He will present the findings of his ongoing micro-historical study, which delves into a compelling judicial trial that unfolded in northeastern Cuba during the early 19th century. The trial, held at the high court of Puerto Principe, Camaguey, not only offers a captivating glimpse into the gender tensions prevalent in Cuban society during that era but also provides invaluable insights into the intricate web of race relations within the Spanish Empire's preeminent slave society. Moreover, this trial instigated legal transformations of profound significance, reverberating across the vast expanse of the Spanish Empire.

By scrutinizing local developments and their consequential impact on state evolution, Professor Uribe-Uran's study illuminates the complex interplay between societal dynamics and legal frameworks, fostering a comprehensive understanding of historical nuances. Furthermore, his research bears significant comparative implications, offering an opportunity for scholars and enthusiasts alike to engage in compelling interdisciplinary discussions.

It is one of those rare cases that makes it possible to link local developments and larger changes impacting state development. It speaks, in particular, to the way the death penalty was implemented over the next century all over the remains of the Spanish Empire.

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