This is a presentation on the economical affects that slave labor had on Latin America during it's institution in specific countries. It is meant for educational purposes and is not meant to sway anyone's beliefs on this topic. Nor does it represent the author's beliefs on the morality of the practice.

1. Slave Labor in Latin America Kimberly Bentley Western New Mexico University June 2011

2. Agenda Defining slave labor Why was it used? Where was it used? Slave working and living conditions Abolition

3. Defining slave labor Slave labor is forced migration where people are bought and traded for into servitude with little or no pay. The institution of slavery had a huge impact on the economical development of Latin American countries. Slaves were traded for and bought by the Portuguese from the African coast.

4. Why was slave labor used in Latin America? To increase profits by mine and agricultural owners. By receiving free or cheap labor, owners could maximize their profits.

5. Where was it used? Slavery was a common practice all over the world. In fact, Africans sold their own slaves to foreign traders at markets along the coast. Brazil and Cuba had more slaves than any other country in Latin America. Cuba had more slaves than the estimated 523,000 in the United States and Brazil had over 3.5 million slaves working.

6. Working and living conditions 15 to 20 percent of slaves did not survive the boat ride from Africa. Many perished to disease from climate changes, while others succumbed to industrial accidents and the “rate of suicide in this social category is well above average” (Pearson) Many died of acute dysentery, pleurisy, pneumonia and kidney failure.

7. Abolition Slavery was outlawed during the Independence Wars from 1810 to 1822, however many colonies did not obey this law. The Bourbon and Pombaline Reforms went a long way in changing public opinion and starting the trend towards abolition. The Paraguayan War ended slavery in Brazil in 1888 when the government declared all slaves free in order to stock their army for combat.

8. Conclusion The institution of slavery had dramatic impacts on the economical development of the countries in Latin America. Without slave labor, the economical advancements that took place may have been impossible. Slave labor was cheap or free and allowed mine and land owners to maximize profits. Slaves had to endure terrible working and living conditions where little or no pay was offered and freedom was not possible. Although slavery was deemed illegal during the Independence Wars, the last slave ship arrived in Brazil in 1867. Slavery was finally abolished in Brazil (the last to end the practice) in 1888 due the Paraguayan War.