The Emergence of African Slavery in the Americas

Native Labor Decline

• The decline in native worker populations was due to several factors:

  • Sickness: New World diseases such as smallpox, measles, and influenza decimated native populations, who had no immunity. The lack of prior exposure made these diseases exceptionally lethal.

  • Overwork: Harsh working conditions, such as those in silver mines and plantations, led to high mortality rates. Extended labor hours and insufficient rest and nourishment contributed to the physical exhaustion and susceptibility to disease.

    • Example: Silver mines in South America used Hg (Mercury) to extract silver, causing mercury poisoning among native workers. The contamination further reduced their health and lifespan.

  • Escape and Resistance: Native peoples had the advantage of local knowledge, enabling them to escape, seek help from neighboring communities, and resist Spanish colonizers.

    • They used their "home field advantage" to fight back, employing guerilla tactics and utilizing the terrain to their benefit.

The Great Dying

• Old World diseases infected native peoples.

• Resulted in huge deaths, with mortality rates reaching as high as 90% in some regions. The significant population loss had profound social, economic, and cultural consequences.

The Transatlantic Slave Trade

• The decrease in the native populations created a labor vacuum, filled by the Transatlantic slave trade.

• Africans were forcibly brought to the Americas to replace the dwindling native workforce. This system involved brutal conditions and the separation of families, leading to long-term suffering and cultural disruption.

  • This is where you start the Transatlantic Slave Trade.

Example of Hispaniola

• Reference to Hispaniola and Columbus: The Taino people were decimated due to disease and forced labor, serving as a stark example of the consequences of colonization on native populations.

Indentured Servants

• Indentured servitude existed primarily in the English colonies, such as New England.

• Indentured servants signed a letter of indenture in exchange for:

  • A free boat ride to the Americas.

  • Work for a sponsor (the person who paid for their voyage) for a set number of years, typically four to seven years.

  • After paying off the indenture, they were granted freedom and the opportunity to start a new life, often receiving land or tools to begin their independent farming or trade.

Encomienda System

• The Encomienda system was present in the Latin American colonies of Portugal and Spain. This system granted Spanish conquistadors the right to extract labor and tribute from the native populations in a specific area. Abuses were rampant, leading to further decline of native communities