Slavery In Latin America Research Paper

Cortes and Columbus were one of the most well-known explorers of their time. However, when they embarked upon their journey to maintain their footing in the New World, they did so without bringing any material goods with them. The development in the two worlds differed, however, those from the Old World soon brought to the New World their own reign aided by advanced ammunition and diseases which afflicted the old world. Their rule was one of the main reasons slavery was introduced to the newly developed societies. Brazil and Spanish America incorporated it in a different manner as Brazil and Africa enjoyed a totally different connection, which was absent in Spanish America. The countries which founded new territories brought with them their values of identity and culture in the same manner that they brought imported goods with them. It is essential to note here in order to understand the ways with which slavery was affected by this fact, later on. Indians soon became the first target and the easiest choice for slave labor, despite the fact that they were utilized for manual labor. This rose out of the fact that these people could be easily “purchased” in “bulk amounts” and could bear even the toughest of weather. Certain crops such as tobacco, sugar, and coffee had constant labor as an integral part of the system and supervision in order to be grown in large profitable amounts and this laid the foundation of plantation labor. This type of labor was the most common type of slave labor and certainly the most profitable for the landlords. This in addition to the capitalist mentality had a large impact on driving the slave trade forward. It also affected the standard of living which significantly improved especially during the 19th century which saw technology increasing the productivity of manufacturing crop cash. Sugar producing industries had to have labors in abundance in order to earn massive profits. The state of societies and the standard of living was becoming better however the state of these laborers who were the backbone of the economy was not.
The term slavery is used broadly when considering the various kinds of work which jointly create a functioning society. Slaves performed various tasks which included farming, mining as well as domestic housework. Life was harsh for slaves in an urban as well as rural setting, however, the standards of living between each were markedly different. Schmidt-Novara was once known to quote
"Slave workers in the diamond strikes labored under close scrutiny at the workplace. However, their condition differed from the enslaved workers on the plantations."
Slave owners had a large hold of power over their domains and hence controlled the way of life as well as the standards of living of their slaves. Greed over overpowered compassion and many slave owners treated their “human property” very poorly. It was easier to not spend much money on their sustenance and hence led to an impoverished life for the slaves. Some slave owners tended to be more lenient than others were. Gender however was a large factor in the treatment of these slaves. Female slaves were freed more often than male slaves mostly due to “ties of affection” or to be more blunt intimate relationships with the slave owners. The above mentioned factors and causes can establish a clearer understanding of how slavery became a deep rooted stigma in those societies. It also gives one an insight as how these slaves had to adapt to certain norms of a society they were the building blocks of.
The fact that slavery produced profits says a lot about the significance of its initiation. Slavery was responsible the mindsets of societies which enforced it and was responsible for perpetuating most of these. Slaves were responsible for creating products for utilization which caused a boom in population. However it also created a need for a larger influx of slaves who could create more products to meet the consumer demands. People who were part of these societies were aware of how the slaves affected the society’s economy. For example armies which were big enough to defend a large country required a stable economy’s funding. This strong and stable economy was in fact stabilized and strengthened by slaves. This was not the only way in which slaves were responsible for contributing to the society. Manumission was common in Latin America more than it was in United States. As soon as slaves bought their freedom, they could become functioning members of the society. Even though the slaves had a fairly low place in society, they were still considered members and had a rank which was significantly different from the “slaved” states. This contributed majorly to the society’s culture to maintain a caste system. This was carried out mostly in newly formed colonies because it gave way to the formation of identity.
The deep roots of slavery in the development of Latin America shaped the concept of identity in a manner which made it impossible to change for the next hundreds of years to come by. Most people did not find it reasonable to let go of the main pats of their culture. Even though slavery was deemed cruel, the societies in Latin America did not think so mostly because of their narrowed mindsets and inability to understand the consequences of it. They took the cover of religion in order to maintain a strong hold over the slaves and justified it as their “duty” to continue slavery. Cognitive dissonance among these societies was reduced mostly because of these justifications. The transportation of necessary “goods” was deemed imperative for the formation of New World societies and these good also included human. A lot of people looked towards Latin America to provide a better future for them as well as their generations and they required slaves to enable these visions of a progressive future. The concept of identity heavily caused the perpetuation of slavery, however resistance to understand change helped promulgate this stigma as well.
Traditions are the product of the rule of identities over long periods of time. Slavery was brought to the Latin American society as a legitimate tradition, one which was deep rooted in history. The concept of manumission made the concept of slavery seem less cruel as it enabled slaves to buy their freedom. Slaves were considered to be a status symbol of sorts which even those who belonged to the lower echelons of society could afford. Brazil as compared to other Latin American countries progresses in a unique manner. Their slave societies were rooted as back as the 16th century and progressed until the 19th century. It was the last Western country to abolish slavery which had much to do with the fact that it relied heavily on the slavery for its progress. This is one of the strongest reasons for resilience with which slavery prevailed in the Latin American countries.
The process of evolution has been key to demonstrate that well-functioning systems tend to sustain themselves much longer. Slavery in Latin America was effective because it truly did work. If it did not benefit the people it would not have managed to sustain itself for such a long period of time. The fact that laborers could not be procured at such low prices was the key factor which caused colonists to seek laborers from Africa. The vicious cycle of freed slaves buying slaves for themselves caused a healthy flow of slaves throughout Africa and the supply never finished. Slavery not only fueled the Latin American economy, it also gave people power over others and caused them to obtain large amounts of wealth. This was the sole reason people were not willing to abolish slavery. For them wealth was much more important than their moral values. The abolition of slavery for this reason was a very difficult struggle for the abolitionists. There were many forms of abolition and it required a collective global effort to be proven effective. Britain took significant measures in order to abolish slavery. Schmidt-Nowara said,
“Combining religious fervor, economic liberalism, and mass political mobilization, British antislavery efforts drove Parliament to outlaw the slave traffic to the British colonies in 1807 and were a crucial factor in the suppression of slavery in the 1830s." (Schmidt-Nowara 100)
The independence of Latin American slaves was closely related to the interests of the British trading. USA was a role model for Latin America but its stance on slavery was certainly not. Independence was won in the late 18th century but it was not until the end of Civil War that slavery was abolished. This did not propagate slavery but it did nothing to help curb it either.
Literature based propaganda was one of the means used by the abolitionists. Antonio Bento and other Guerilla activists led plantation raids during which slaves were encouraged to run away for their freedom. Their goal was to end exploited labor and to end the slavery system of the plantations. Slavery was also abolished because it became outdated.
“Slavery in the British dominions was abolished during 1834-38, in part due to the pressure of the antislavery reform movement, but to a great extent because the economics of slavery had become less profitable." (Hohenegger 102)
Even though the British were not entirely responsible for abolishing, they were a force of support. Abolition finally took hold towards the end of the 19th century and cause Latin America to shift to a newer lifestyle. This lifestyle comprised of abstaining from human bondage and functioning without it as an integral part of society. This shift caused them to be able to thrust forward in the modern societies with ease. Slavery has been a major part of history and in some parts of the world is still an issue. Latin America being no exception also played its part in making slavery a tradition. It is unpleasant to admit, however it cannot be denied that slavery was profitable for the formation of new societies which is why to this day it remains an important part of Latin America’s identity.

Works cited

Hohenegger, Beatrice. Liquid Jade. New York: St. Martin's Press, 2006. Print.
Realhistories.org.uk,. 'The Real Histories Directory - Slavery In Latin America'. N.p., 2015. Web. 20 Apr. 2015.
Schmidt-Nowara, Christopher. Slavery, Freedom, And Abolition In Latin America And The Atlantic World. Albuquerque: University of New Mexico Press, 2011. Print.
Werner, Amy. 'The Practicality Of Slavery In Latin America'. Constructing the Past 14.1 (2013): n. pag. Print.