Slavery in Latin America (original) (raw)

Slavery in Latin America was an economic and social institution that existed in Latin America from before the colonial era until its legal abolition in the newly independent states during the 19th century. However, it continued illegally in some regions into the 20th century. Slavery in Latin America began in the pre-colonial period when indigenous civilizations including the Maya and Aztec, enslaved captives taken in war. After the conquest of Latin America by the Spanish and Portuguese. Of the nearly 12 million slaves that were shipped across the Atlantic over 4 million enslaved Africans were brought to Latin America, roughly 3.5 million of those to Brazil.