History of Slavery in Latin America

OBJECTIVES
Using as departure points the origins of both indigenous and African-based slavery, the tides of
slave population movements, ports of entry, factors related to legislation, settlements, and licenceholding,
as well as the approximate extent of the trafficking involved, a study will be made of the
economic activities of all types for which slaves were used, the main emphasis being placed on the
plantation regime. Account will also be taken of matters of a social nature related to the everyday
existence and death of slaves. Lastly, the dissolution of the slavery regime will be explored, by means of
an analysis of the different kinds of abolitionist processes involved. The geographical context to be
explored is that which corresponds to the Hispanic and Portuguese colonies, given their statistical,
economic, and cultural relevance.

METHODOLOGY
Class sessions will be based on the following activities:
Guided teacher explanations dealing with the key aspects of syllabus content, supported by
Power-point back-up.
Student commentaries on texts, maps and visual material.
The showing of two movies related to the subject of Slavery in Spanish America.
Extramural activity: a guided visit to locations in Sevilla which have links with Colonial America.
SYLLABUS
1. ANTECEDENTS: SLAVERY IN EUROPE AND AFRICA AT THE CLOSE OF THE MIDDLE AGES.
INDIGENOUS SERVITUDE IN SPANISH AMERICA AND BRASIL.
2. AFRICAN-BASED SLAVE TRADE AND THE LEGAL FRAMEWORK OF SLAVERY IN SPANISH AMERICA.
3. SLAVE LABOR. FORMS OF SLAVE LABOR. PLANTATION-BASED PRODUCTION METHODS.
4. DAY-TO-DAY ASPECTS OF SLAVERY. LIFE AND DEATH OF THE SLAVES OF AFRICAN ORIGIN.
5. RUNAWAYS AND OTHER FORMS OF REBELLION.
6. THE ABOLITION OF SLAVERY. THE BEGINNINGS OF SEGREGATION.