Slavery in Latin America A Case of Cruelty and Cultural Exchange

What do we know about slavery in American history? We know that slavery existed in North America for centuries and eventually lead to the American Civil War We know that slavery existed in North America for centuries and eventually lead to the American Civil War We usually associate the practice of slavery with “the south” We usually associate the practice of slavery with “the south” Most of us have seen movies and pictures that show what life was like for slaves living in the U.S. These pictures usually show Most of us have seen movies and pictures that show what life was like for slaves living in the U.S. These pictures usually show –Big, southern plantation homes –Slaves who were very poorly mistreated and sometimes even beaten –Many times the slaves look poorly dressed and tired

How did slaves influence American culture? Slaves brought with them many different languages and customs Slaves brought with them many different languages and customs –Africans brought words like “yam” and “goober” which became apart of the American language –Africans also brought their song and dance which influenced American music like jazz and blues –Foods like gumbo were influenced by African cuisine –Many African slaves converted to Christianity but also kept some of their oral traditions; this influenced Gospel music and preaching in The South

The World Slave Trade

How did slavery affect Latin America? What sorts of labor did slaves in Latin America do? What sorts of labor did slaves in Latin America do? What did slavery look like in Latin America What did slavery look like in Latin America How did the presence of slaves affect the many cultures and peoples of Latin America? How did the presence of slaves affect the many cultures and peoples of Latin America?

Looking at slavery in the Latin America Caribbean sugar plantations were the most similar places for slaves to work like those who lived on American cotton or tobacco plantations Caribbean sugar plantations were the most similar places for slaves to work like those who lived on American cotton or tobacco plantations

Slavery’s affect on Latin American culture: Slavery affected Latin America in many of the same ways slavery changed the U.S. Slavery affected Latin America in many of the same ways slavery changed the U.S. –Traditions –Music –Dance –Religion

Traditions African slaves brought the tradition of having carnivals which eventually became widely popular in many Latin American cultures African slaves brought the tradition of having carnivals which eventually became widely popular in many Latin American cultures

Dance African dances helped influence and develop Latin dances like the tango African dances helped influence and develop Latin dances like the tango This is a picture of some Argentinean tango dancers This is a picture of some Argentinean tango dancers

Music Native Latin Americans grew to love the rhythms and beats of African music Native Latin Americans grew to love the rhythms and beats of African music One example of a mix between Latin and African music is reggae, which originates in the Caribbean island of Jamaica One example of a mix between Latin and African music is reggae, which originates in the Caribbean island of Jamaica

Religion Like those in the U.S., many African slaves converted to Christianity in Latin America but kept many of their African traditions Like those in the U.S., many African slaves converted to Christianity in Latin America but kept many of their African traditions A good example of this can be found in the Macumba religion which originated in Brazil. This religion in a combination of Catholicism and African “voodoo” traditions A good example of this can be found in the Macumba religion which originated in Brazil. This religion in a combination of Catholicism and African “voodoo” traditions

Racial Discrimination Unfortunately, Africans who were sold into the Latin American slave trade were discriminated against just like those who came to the U.S. Unfortunately, Africans who were sold into the Latin American slave trade were discriminated against just like those who came to the U.S. Since the beginning of slavery in Latin America, African-Latinos have been widely persecuted and scene as inferior human beings Since the beginning of slavery in Latin America, African-Latinos have been widely persecuted and scene as inferior human beings Some slaves eventually won their freedom Some slaves eventually won their freedom –The Island of Haiti for example won its independence by leading a slave revolt against the French in 1804