Catalan families involved in slave trade are just the tip of the iceberg, historian says

Historian Martín Rodrigo Alharilla states that the known Catalan families involved in the slave trade represent only a small fraction of the total. Alharilla's research focuses on the significant economic benefits derived by Catalonia from the trade of enslaved Africans over a two-century period. He asserts that the historical record, while acknowledging some instances, does not fully capture the widespread nature of this involvement. The study aims to shed light on the economic structures and mechanisms through which wealth was accumulated in Catalonia due to this practice. Alharilla emphasizes the need for further investigation to uncover the full extent of these historical economic ties. His work suggests a deeper and more pervasive connection between Catalan society and the transatlantic slave trade than is commonly understood. The research seeks to quantify the economic impact and understand its long-term consequences for the region. The historian's findings underscore the importance of re-examining historical narratives to include often-overlooked aspects of economic history.