Criminal life in the agricultural colonies in the Province of Antioquia at the end of the 18th century

Abstract

The current article analyses the criminal life within some farming colonies established in the late 18th century in the province of Antioquia. These colonies were founded under the com- mand of that period that turns out in the Borbonic monarchy reforms. In addition, the article analyses the causes that led to the necessity of creation of these colonies. The main reason was to create a farming land close to the mine land in order to supply food. These farming colonies aimed to get workforce from the community who did not have a duty or any other activity to do. They were called the “lazy” or “idle” by the time. The rulers of these colonies pretended not only to have farming and mining lands but also to control the colonies with loyal servants under the order of the crown and under god. Nonetheless, this kind of ruling by a further power could break down in any moment.