Commercial Activity and the Merchants of Cartagenain the Late Nineteenth Century

Abstract

This paper shows how, in spite of the economic decline of Cartagena during the XIXth century, commerce was an important activity that allowed a group of merchants to become the local elite. It describes the main economic activities of the city and draws profiles of some of the most significant merchants, including sketches of the particular business ventures they pursued, and their success or failure. It finds that commercial activities were a real entrepreneurial school that helped this group develop remarkable organizational and diversification skills.