The Slave Population and Demographic Approach in Guadeloupe at the End of the Old Regime
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The present article analyzes the natural movement of the servile population in Guadeloupe at the end of the xviiith century. It uses notarial minutes and sources not yet studied as the parish registers of the Moule, Saint-Fran?ois and Lamentin. If the birthrate of the population wobbles between 30 and 50'?,mortality is around 50'?. These figures mean that the population growth of the servile population is impossible without the slave trade. This mortality, especially for the child one, is explained by the poor living conditions of the slaves. The essence of slavery is a hindrance to the marriage.The number of servile marriages is very low.Themost part of the servile households are composed of single mothers and lonesome men. This phenomenon is reinforced by the fact that sexual relations between women slaves and whites are numerous, without any religious and civil regularizations. At the end of the xviiith century, the natural increase of the Guadeloupe servile population remains negative.
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